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Table of contents 4 Editor’s Letter 6 Pack Profile 8 Occupy: One Year later 10 The Campaign 12 The Evolution of a Political Cartoon 14 The United States of “Whatever” 18 Disgramming the RNC & DNC 20 Wolf Pack Radio 22 Political Scandals 30 The Rundown
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LETTER {
FROM THE
} EDITOR
I’ve had a lot of trouble with this election season. Evynn McFalls - Editor-in-Chief editor@unrinsight.com
Print and Story Staff Geoff McFarland - Print Managing Editor mcfarland@unrinsight.com Vicki Tam - Story Editor vicki@unrinsight.com Amy Vigen - Story Editor amy@unrinsight.com Cambria Roth - Story Editor cambria@unrinsight.com Sage Leehey - Staff Writer
Design Staff Katherine Sawicki - Design Editor katherine@unrinsight.com Jean-Paul Torres - Co-Design Editor jp@unrinsight.com
Photography Staff Becca Ewart - Photo Editor becca@unrinsight.com
Web Staff
Back in 2008, when I could not vote, it seemed an answer was rather clear about who I should choose as my representative candidate in the presidential office. Now that I can vote, the questions seem really, really tough. With America in a continuously depressing economy, sometimes questionable foreign and national security policy on the part of the white house, and the debate about social issues consistently at the forefront in the media, it’s been rather tough for me to make a choice about who I’m voting for—or if I’ll even vote at all. Of course, I am going to. I think that it’s a part of my duties as a patriotic American citizen to be informed about the issues and cast my vote. In choosing the stories featured in this issue of Insight Magazine, however, I wanted to represent a number of perspectives. In this issue, you’ll find students like yourself—and unlike yourself—weighing in on the climate of the campaign, Evynn McFalls evaluating the evolution of political ads and cartoons, and explaining Editor-in-Chief why it is that many choose not to vote in a system that causes them to feel disenfranchised. You’ll get a better look at political rhetoric as students analyze quotes from the campaign season, and you’ll find out whether or not the Occupy movement of 2011 turned out meaning anything to anyone. More than anything else, you’ll watch the hopes, fears, dreams, and concerns of your peers as they’ve laid them all out for you to read. I believe that, regardless of your political leanings or beliefs, it is important that all American people express their agency within the political context of our country. From this issue, you may learn that there’s more than one way to engage with American politics. I hope that you choose to get involved, and more than that, I hope that you choose to get involved in a way that works best for you.
Luke Fraser - Webmaster webmaster@unrinsight.com Christopher Cuellar - Web Managing Editor topher@unrinsight.com
Contributors:
We’re listening!
Corrections
In “EDC vs NIC”, both events tied; however, one reader called penalty.
Binh Cao Jake Nawbuntat Christopher Johnson Estefania Cervantes Christina Bacock Carly Andrus
“Um, EDC always wins.” -Storm Kelly
When Insight was live tweeting Bill Nye’s lecture, September 6th, one follower thought “logically”.
The fashion line, “Ollie”, from the “Queens of the Desert” shoot was created by both Tessa Miller and Christine Saari.
For those who are here with #billnye and @UNR_Insight, what would you bring to mars? @nikkyw2002: @UNR_Insight I’d bring a space-ship to Mars. ;)
Share, follow, like, stalk! Go to unrinsight.com, facebook.com/InsightUNR, @UNR_Insight The opinions expressed in this publication and its associated Web site are not necessarily those of the University of Nevada, Reno or the student body.
COVER ART BY BINH CAO & JAKE NAWBUNTAT
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Insight Pack Profile
With the two English phrases, “What?” and “I don’t understand,” under her belt, a second grade Gemma Beltran moved with her mother from the Philippines to the United States. Her father joined them last year, but her brother remains in the Philippines to this day, unable to join his family. Written by Sage Leehey Photographed by Carly Andrus
PACK PROFILE
-Gemma Beltran
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Insight Pack Profile
B
eltran says that her parents brought her to the United States so she would have a shot at a better future. And she has not allowed their sacrifices to be wasted. It’s only her freshman year, and Beltran has already thrown herself deeply into the University of Nevada, Reno community. Being a part of the Dean’s Future Scholars program helped her to get an internship at the Human Resources department in the Pennington Medical Education Building in the summer of 2010, at the Gerontology department in the University of Nevada School of Medicine in the summer of 2011, and at ASUN in the Center for Student Engagement this past summer to help create events on campus. She now works for ASUN in the Clubs and Organizations department and is the Philanthropy Chair for Flipside Productions. All of these achievements were accomplished by the time the first few weeks of her first semester of her freshman year in college were finished. “I’ve always regretted that I didn’t get involved in the very beginning of high school, so I wanted to change that right away in college,” Beltran said. Naturally, as a freshman in her semester of college, she isn’t entirely sure what she wants to do with the rest of her life. Right now, she has a major in biology and plans to go to medical school to become a doctor. Although she isn’t certain of the details of her future, she is sure about one thing. “No matter where I end up, I want to make an impact and leave a trace,” Beltran said. “I want to help people.” Bob Edgington, the former director of Dean’s Future Scholars, has known Beltran since 6th grade, which is when she entered the program. He said that although all the students in the program choose to be there, are academically capable and want to change their life and the lives of their families, Beltran stands out. She has the top GPA in the program and incredible drive to help others. “Gemma is an all-star,” said Edgington. “She’s a kid that would have made it to college without the program’s help.” “She’s so positive. She will figure out a way to solve any problem. Nothing will stop her. She’s a powerhouse in a little body.” Edgington believes that Beltran is able to do anything she wants to do and said that he is constantly impressed by her and her positivity at all times. “We took them all [DFS students] to the top of Mt. Rose,” Edgington said. “It’s not an easy hike, especially for kids that are used to flat Reno. She laughed and talked the whole way. If she was hurting or tired, no one knew. And she would never have said anything. She’s always positive. It makes you want to take her again.” At a summer programming conference, Sandra Rodríguez, the ASUN Director of Student Engagement, inspired Beltran by telling the students to keep asking themselves how they were going to impact the world today. She saw a sale at Office Depot for 1 cent folders and pencil boxes. As she looked at all the neon-colored, cheaply plastic folders and pencil boxes, what Rodríguez had said came to mind. At that moment, she started thinking up her plan to gather school supplies for underprivileged students. That was how she wanted to change the world today. There was a problem though. In that tiny fine print that always tends to crush your dreams to bits, there was a limit of 10 folders and 3 pencil boxes per person. She was going to need help. She wasn’t sure if it was a good idea at first…or even if anyone would really be willing to help out if she decided to go ahead with a school supply drive. So she spoke to her father and to Rodríguez about it. Both thought it was a great idea, so Rodríguez talked about it at the student employment event this summer and Beltran has been heading the drive.
“I didn’t think a lot of people would help out, but I was wrong,” Beltran said. “It’s amazing how little bits of society can really come together and help out with one vision in mind.” At the Joint Student Leadership gathering this past summer, Rodríguez had to define what civic engagement was to the audience of students. She said she hadn’t been feeling well prior to the event and really had no idea how she was going to relay this information to the students. As she was trying to come up with something quickly at the event, she saw Beltran in the front row and remembered the email she had received about her idea for a school supply drive. After asking Beltran if it was okay to share her idea with the crowd, Rodríguez told the students and asked who would be willing to help out. “Every person raised their hand to help,” Rodríguez said. “She [Gemma] looked around and was overwhelmed by everyone’s willingness to help.” According to Rodríguez, many students came in to drop off school supplies and would say different reasons as to why they wanted to contribute and why Beltran’s drive had affected them so much. One student said that they didn’t have crayons when they were younger and they wanted to change that for another kid. Rodríguez was amazed by Beltran and by the effect of what some would call a small act of kindness. “If she did this as a freshman, I wonder what she will do later,” Rodríguez said. “She was one of the quieter ones in the group of DFS [Dean’s Future Scholars] interns. She tends to be soft-spoken but doesn’t allow her voice to be lost. She sits back, surveys, assesses, and says, ‘I’m going to do something about that.’” The Dean’s Future Scholars, The Multicultural Greek Council, Residential Life, and other people from the University of Nevada and surrounding community have been extremely helpful and she has gathered over 400 folders and 100 pencil boxes to be distributed between Libby C. Booth Elementary School here in Reno and Saludares Cali Elementary School in the Philippines, both of which Beltran attended. Originally, she wanted to do the drive just for second graders but later decided to expand it to all elementary students in the two schools. “I wanted to only do second grade because that was the grade when I came to America,” Beltran said. “But later I thought, ‘Why not make it possible for all of them?’” Beltran’s main goal in life is to really make a difference and help others. She says that her experiences in the Philippines, like having to ‘drive’ in a tricycle to the dam to fill jugs for drinking water, have helped her to value everything more. “The Philippines helped me open my eyes and see how blessed I am here,” Beltran said. “It really motivates me to help people.” She said that she feels that being away from her father and brother for most of her life has also shaped who she is. She said that it was and is very difficult but has really brought her family closer. “Going on vacation to see your sibling or father or skyping them isn’t the same as face to face interaction,” Beltran said. “It was very difficult. My mom would have to work a lot. It’s kind of lonely, but it made me stronger. And I feel like we have a stronger bond because of what we’ve gone through and what we’re going through. I miss my brother.” Her parents did this because they wanted to be able to afford a college education for her brother and herself, so she works hard to make it worth it. And if her first year at UNR is any indication, this “powerhouse in a little body” will do much more than just make her family’s sacrifice worth it.
“It’s amazing how little bits of society can really come together and help out with one vision in mind.”
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Insight Feature
Occupy!
One Year Later...
Written by: Estefania Cervantes Phtography by: Katherine Sawicki
A
“Claiming space, occupying space, is itself a valuable achievement.”
couple years ago, I remember passing by the front of the Knowledge Center at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), where once in a while an energetic mob of students would be rallying for something called Occupy. At the time, I had an idea of what it could be – overhearing speeches and slogans, “We are the 99 percent” – but I didn’t bother to stop by to find out what it really was. I was way too busy with school and work. Besides, I thought to myself that it was probably just another movement to go against the system.
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It wasn’t until I was recently presented with an opportunity to do a little bit of research and learn about the movement that found myself interested in it. Since I have developed immunity to politics and both major parties, I thought to inform myself for this election year on how I could somehow be “politically” involved. Occupy was initiated by The Adbusters—a Canadian activist group, who were inspired by the Arab spring protests, the Egypt Tahrir uprising, and the Spanish acampadas. Growing tension between disproportionate holders of power and wealth and the working class
Insight Feature shown through the multiple uprisings and protests in other countries, it gave way for increased support in the U.S. for this movement to address political and social corruption issues as well. During this election year and previous ones for that matter, advertisements sound as if the opponents are just bad-mouthing each other and tearing each other down rather than communicating their honest plans to approach issues. One of Occupy’s goals is to raise awareness, unifying people by giving them a voice as a whole and making each Occupier feel important and necessary to actively participate in change. As the more knowledgeable we are about issues, the more we can do to change them. It’s the first step toward making a difference. Now a little over two years since it first begun, Occupy hasn’t achieved huge changes in major areas of concern, but it definitely has been successful at drawing attention to delicate issues, such as negative corporate influence on politics and the higher education student debt – which affect us directly as a student community. Thanks to this, we now have a little bit of doubt, making us dissect and analyze each party more in-depth to make a better and informed
such as being sponsored by their parents or an outside partnership to pay their tuition and entire college education. It isn’t until someone is faced with difficulties of his or her own that he or she becomes aware of the struggles he or she could face without a secure education system. If we become aware about education concerns, among those unnecessary student debt and misdistribution of money, we are also fighting for social and economic equality. Although we could achieve some change in our own student community by bringing issues forth that affect our education, we could also be target the entire system of higher education – where the main problem lies. Even if the process of coming to compromises is slow – since agreeing is difficult to achieve as everyone has different opinions, Griffiths mentioned that the system cannot be changed by adjusting one single issue because “it’s like a (spider) web” so each problem area must be addressed. Although change has indeed been slow, Occupy has done some progressive work in Reno and in the student community. For example, with the “Rise and Dine,” which provides home-cooked meals at the
The first step is to get informed about the issue and then we can act on it. decision. Slightly redundant from Occupiers handing out flyers, campaigners for the elections are pushing for something they believe in as well. Occupiers have not been seen around to discourage citizens from voting, since it is not the main goal of Occupy, but rather to establish a foundation to practice real democracy. Under the Obama administration, the basic plan is to double funding for Pell Grants by cutting the bank middleman and also to establish college tax credit. And under Romney, the plan is to extend low rate on subsidized loans and welcome the private sector participation, potentially cutting tax deduction for college. Yet, not a great deal is mentioned about the system of higher education’s massive loans and debt. With an assumed one-trillion-dollar student debt by the end of this year, the Occupy Reno Movement feels it is definitely something to be alarmed about. Students and faculty must be informed on how this impacts the education system and the workforce directly. It can damage our promised futures. We are supposed to find employment and making an income after college, not finding work to pay back for what we studied. English professors Kyle Bladow and Laurel Griffiths, who do not hold an official position in the movement – as there are no official positions to fill at the Occupy movement, agree that Occupy does not aim to succumb to chaotic administration. Instead Occupy aims to raise consciousness of how we can step towards government and corporations who use us to their own advantage by making education a business among them. Some faculty may not even care about how corrupted the system of higher education may be because of reasons such as being well-off and taking some things for granted, like being under a contract at the university. Where in some cases, as it is for Griffiths, being an adjunct faculty member can be troublesome and worrisome for not having a certainty of when one might be terminated from the teaching position. Some students also may not care due to reasons
Community Assistance Center, and most importantly, the rise of awareness it has created in the student community, allowing us to know where the money we put towards our education is going. All in all, Occupy is many things, including freedom of selfexpression and the right to claim our human rights, by camping out and pacifically protesting, recalling some protests from the 60’s. Occupy has brought people together to join forces who have a similar outlook on governmental discrepancies and who believe political parties are not creating a reliable and trustworthy government. This has greatly influenced the social and political discourse. Occupy differs in that it is not completely structured, and for most people that is a relief since in the day and age we live in now is based around a fast-paced lifestyle with schedules. It is refreshing to have a sort of an outlet to still be somehow involved in politics and participate in real change!
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here’s good news for those of you out there not yet ready to buy cable. This year, you don’t need some fancy football package from your satellite dish provider to see all the headsplitting, face-crushing action your heart desires. If you’re trying to see a bunch of men with big egos jump all over each other in order to prove their worth then look no further than the 2012 presidential race. This year’s race has been more brutal, more intense, and downright more entertaining than any other race I’ve experienced in my lifetime.
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From the bloodbath we now refer to as the Republican primary to the media circus surrounding the party conventions, this presidential race has been more dramatic than an episode of Glee. Americans have addictively watched from their living rooms as the candidates do everything in their power to destroy each other’s reputations by any means necessary, which leaves me wondering: is this the nature of campaigns in the 21st century? The evolution of this campaign has been a fascinating one. Like when preparing for a football game, a pep rally is necessary to hype people up and elevate morale. This year’s pep rally came in the form of Scarlett Johannson telling young people how uninvolved they are and Clint Eastwood talking to a chair. Of course, I’m referring to the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. Never before have the conventions seemed so important to people than they did this year. In the past, the conventions have always been a rallying cry for all the active members of the party to continue to support their candidate. This year, however, the conventions seemed to take on a completely different tone. The conventions appeared to be more focused around beating the other candidate this year than winning for the sake of helping people. In fact, Slate magazine analyzed the rhetoric used in the speeches over the three nights of the Republican National Convention and found that President Barack Obama’s name was said more often than the words: “jobs,” “economy,” and “work,” which is frightening in an election where unemployment and the economy are such hot topics. This problem exists on both sides. Four years ago, America rallied behind Barack Obama under the idea of “hope” and “change,” but this year, it seems that the Obama campaign is operating under the mindset of “vote for me because you don’t like Mitt Romney.” At this point, the campaigns are so fueled by attacking each other that most Americans are disenchanted with both candidates. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of likely U.S. voters showed that 46 percent of Americans claim they will be voting for their candidate because he is the “lesser of two evils.” Call me crazy but I would rather not vote for someone to lead our country because they aren’t as bad as the other candidate. Doesn’t it seem strange that people walked away from the Republican National Convention talking more about Clint Eastwood’s chair debacle than about Romney’s tax plans? Isn’t it interesting that Bill Clinton was one of the keynote speakers of the Democratic National Convention after publicly bashing Obama for years following his defeat of Hillary Clinton in the 2008 primaries? The choice of speakers was strategic and the
media could not have had more of a field day criticizing each and every speech. The party conventions seemed far more important this year but only in the sense that it was another opportunity for the media to play favorites and take shots at people. After all, the tone had already been set from primary season.
“Vote for me because you don’t like Mitt Romney.”
As a number of Republican hopefuls threw their hats in the ring, the media was having a ball lambasting each of the candidates with little shame. It became quickly evident that one misstep could derail an entire campaign by an unforgiving media. Who could forget Rick Perry’s anti-gay advertisement that many say ruined his campaign altogether? It’s hard to forget the rise and devastating fall of the Godfather of pizza himself, Mr. Herman Cain. Mr. Cain was the quintessential story of this presidential primary; a person who rose from the ashes due to his outspoken nature and constant media coverage who was ultimately destroyed by the same thing that got him there attention. Among all the candidates, only one was able to survive…barely. By the time the candidate was chosen, the party was done with destroying itself from the inside, and the Grand Old Party (GOP) was ready to strike on the campaign trail with deadly force. The primaries set the stage for the vicious cycle that was to come this election year. The battle for the White House has truly developed into its own unique game. Shaped by an intense preseason, this race will be unpredictable up until the last vote is counted. This tight fourth quarter will not only be dramatic, but will also be vital in deciding the fate of America over the next four years. After all, the results of a game can change in the fourth quarter. Like any good football game, this race will keep Americans guessing up until the last vote is counted. With a race like this, who needs football anyway?
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U L O TION V E POLITIC OF S N AL CARTOO Written by: TOPHER CUELLAR Picture Credit: History.org, nybooks. com, zybez.net, rightwingnews.com, spydrasweb.blogspot.com
car·toon (n.) \kär-’tün\
1: a preparatory design, drawing, or painting (as for a fresco) 2: a drawing intended as satire, caricature, or humor <a political cartoon>
I
f you’re a 90’s kid like me then there’s one big thing we must have in common - cartoons. Unlike the unfortunate children growing up today learning how to work computers and facebook profiles by the age of 5, we grew up with these cartoons that gave us insight, imagination, and humor. With shows like The Animaniacs, Looney Tunes, Pinky and the Brain, Hey Arnold, Angry Beavers, Johnny Bravo, Rug Rats, Cow and Chicken, X-Men, Tom and Jerry - the late 80’s / early 90’s should be deemed the “Golden Age of Nickelodeon”, the “Main Event 12 | Insight
of Cartoon Network”, and the “PrimeTime of Warner Bros”.So when we think of cartoons we think of these great classics that were funny, entertaining,and childish. But what about other cartoons that are more informational, serious, and even inspirational? I’m speaking of course about political cartoons. They have played a great role in American history from social issues to dirty political races. Still, political cartoons are alive today but are they the same? How much have these cartoons transformed throughout the decades? Being a selfproclaimed cartoon concierge, let me
walk you through my interpretation on the history of American political cartoons. I’ll start my analysis at one of the earliest and most noted political cartoons created. Benjamin Franklin’s, “Join, or Die” cartoon was published on May 9th, 1754 in the Pennsylvania Gazette and depicting a snake cut up into 8 parts, each segment labeled with the initials of the colonies. Franklin’s symbolism emphasizes the importance of colonial unity and called for the colonies to unite to survive or there would be no colonies otherwise.
This cartoon like many in the 18th century really hit home with many who looked at it. Cartoons like this focused primarily on uniting citizens for a common cause against a common enemy, something to the affect as a charge to the
colony’s citizens. Another great well-known example is the Uncle Sam, “I Want You” cartoon which was used as a marketing tool to helprecruit men into the army -common cause, common enemy, very simple.
As American history progresses, so do the political cartoons. The government began to form under the Constitution and became more complex, the cartoons followed suit. President Andrew Jackson’s “Kitchen Cabinet” cartoon is one that was very informational in its time. The cartoon shows Jackson sitting on a chair seemingly out of luck as pillars around him are falling. At the
bottom of the cartoon you see rats with human heads scattering away from the wreckage. These rats represent each member of Jackson’s to inform the people about.
presidential cabinet as they “flee from a falling house”. Compared to the earlier cartoons, this one is extremely detailed as were many of the cartoons at the time. Features such as faces, hair, hands, and script text were much more complex. I believe they were more complex because the issues became more complex. With internal issues in our own government, it was no longer possible to do a simple cartoon with a simple message. The purpose of the cartoons also shifted at this point. Before it was all about rallying the citizen to take action toward a common goal. These cartoons were more informative, they gave the viewer a information on what was happening as opposed to giving them a charge. JFK’s “Nuke ArmWrestle” cartoon helped speak to the American people to inform them that the struggle for power among the world’s nations. Again, this cartoon was visually more complex because of the issue it helped
Today, political cartoons have become an entirely different monster. No longer are cartoons specifically asking citizens to take charge or simply informing the American public. With a dominant two-party system in our government, cartoons today help to clearly mark that divide. Most cartoons today are made to help push one side’s political opinion and help sway citizens to agree with their political agenda. This anti-Obama cartoon is a great example of today’s style of political cartoons. Here, the president is depicted as an evil man who reverted back to slavery. This is not true BUT it is a belief of a specific political party. This cartoon was designed to polarize that opinion in a way that criminalizes Obama.
The style of today’s cartoons have reverted back to that of extremely loony cartoon characters, ones that could be found on our favorite childhood shows on Saturday morning. Instead of informing or charging the viewer, they would rather poke fun and
criticize their opponent, further widening that twoparty gap. Now it is more of a game at swaying more citizens toward your political opinions. This anti-Romney cartoon shows Romney’s alleged position on health care. Just to make it clear, this cartoon isn’t informing you about health care or charging you to take action to perfect it. It is simply telling you how big of a hypocrite Romney is on the issue versus his opponent. Again, not necessarily true but it does appeal to one political allegiance.
In my honest opinion, political cartoons can no longer inform the viewer without being bias or prejudice one way or another. Yes, they can get a message across and yes, most are funny as hell, but you have to ask yourself, “Is this message credible?”. For me, I will take in these political cartoons the same way I take in late night Cartoon Network epsiodes of Courage the Cowardly Dog and Bugs Bunny: funny, entertaining, and not a big deal. You should trust me. I’m a 90’s kid - I know cartoons.
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Apatheists
BY CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON
The year of the young voter was 2008. How Barack Obama won the young vote was the talk of journalists and political analysts everywhere. Whether it was because he actually addressed young people directly, had a youthful exuberance to his personality, actually knows how to turn on a computer, or because he can sing Al Green like a champion, we may never know. What we do know is that Obama reached out to young people like no candidate had ever done before – at least that’s what they said. So, how many more young people actually came out to vote in ‘08 than the election before? Astoundingly, only 1.5 percent did. That’s nothing. For you statistics buffs out there, that’s barely statistically significant. Of all 18- to 24-year-olds in 2008, only 48.5 percent
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of them showed up to vote, according to U.S. Census Bureau records. That 48.5 percent is less than any other age demographic. The only reason the 18-24 bracket managed to vote more than the toddler demographic is because they don’t make voting booth booster-seats. Okay, the champion of change may not have gotten teenagers and twenty-somethings to come out like people say he did, but he did do something. What Obama did in his ‘08 campaign wasn’t to just get the youngest voters to vote for him, even though 66 percent of young people who voted did, according to Pew records. It seems that Obama’s real achievement was to take the demographic that historically participates the least and make them an integral part of his grass-roots campaign. Young people didn’t just vote; they mobilized. So why did the media make
such a big deal out of Obama’s impact on the young voters? If they hardly turned out to vote any more than usual, why did it matter? Why did anybody care what young people were doing in 2008? It’s because the youth vote does matter, and Obama took full advantage of that. So let’s step away from Obama and 2008 for a minute, and dig a little deeper into the heart of this issue. If you’re not asking yourself this question right now, it’s probably because you stopped reading this article already: Why the fuck don’t young people vote? For starters, many political figures disregard young people when they’re speaking to the public. If you paid attention to the Republican and Democratic national conventions at all, you heard a lot of people talking about the great things America has done.
Apatheists: The United States of Whatever Almost none of those achievements they mentioned happened in young people’s lifetimes. John Kerry recalled how Americans were able to “break out of the Great Depression, win two world wars, save lives fighting AIDS.” Chris Christie remembered Americans “overcoming the great depression” and “fighting Nazi tyranny.” Michelle Obama talked about the generation that could “defeat a depression,” and women who were “dragged to jail for seeking the vote.” It’s almost like all of American history happened between when America kicked some red-coat ass and before America put a man on the moon. Other than
that, it’s like it never happened. Maybe young people would feel more connected to politicians if they mentioned things this generation was a part of. Most voters are middle-aged and older, and politicians are most concerned with connecting to the greatest number of voters. But come on, America has done some pretty cool things since it killed its last Nazi. Politicians seem to have no problem remembering when a generation sent a man to the moon over 40 years ago. But they don’t often talk about the generation that sent an enormous solar-powered robotic laboratory to Mars that landed using a jet powered hover
crane, only to discover ancient Martian river-rocks. No big deal. There’s no way around one big, ugly, unavoidable truth: The majority of political platforms don’t have anything to do with people in their twenties. Or at least, they don’t think they do. Most twenty-somethings don’t care about the housing market bubble… or the national deficit, or even trickle-down economics. Most twenty-somethings don’t care about the Israel pressuring the US to stop Iran from getting nukes. Let’s be real, most twenty-somethings don’t even know Iran is trying to get nukes– or where Iran is.
the United States of Whatever. Why students don't vote– and why the few who do still fucking matter.
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Apatheists: The United States of Whatever It’s not that young people don’t like politics. It’s that they really don’t like it. Anyone who’s ever had to hold a clipboard and ask students to register to vote knows just how many ways you can be blown off by a complete stranger. “Young people were getting out to vote because they were bored,” says Ben Clark, President of University of Nevada, Reno’s (UNR) Young Democrats. He remembers the hype and excitement, but not anything revolutionary. “Young people like noise.” Clark still agrees that young people were more involved politically than the numbers
than any other age demographic. “[Obama’s] use of Facebook and Twitter was revolutionary,” says Chau. He remembers that for students, the attraction to Obama was because he was “something new, something different.” That’s the problem - Obama’s not new this time. After months and months of campaign coverage, the chances of young people -or anyone- getting as excited as they did in 2008 is getting smaller by the day. Many have been wondering if Obama will have the same impact on young people this year as he did last time. Clark was very right about one thing: Obama got young people to make a lot of noise, and that noise made big waves. Young people’s participation in the Obama campaign made headlines over and over and over again. Even kids who weren’t old enough to vote were getting involved. The media’s recognition of youth involvement perpetuated hype that, presumably,
87% of college
students registered to vote actually did vote in 2008.
13% did not vote.
“A lot of students have it in their head that they have more important things to do than vote.” –Alex Chau would lead you to believe. In fact, it’s Clark’s belief that young voters were the most publicly engaged of all of those in Obama’s grass-roots campaign strategy. Not everyone agrees with Clark that boredom is what changed in 2008. “A lot of students have it in their head that they have more important things to do than vote,” says Alex Chau, President of College Republicans at UNR. “The ones that do vote are the ones that realize the power of their vote.” That mentality Chau is talking about is everywhere. Historically, young people turn out for elections in lower numbers
spread far beyond young people. Let’s face it: it doesn’t matter who you wanted to win in ‘08. If you were a young person during that election, it was exciting. Ian Fluellen, President of Students Organizing for America, a nation-wide branch of the Obama campaign, was one of the many high school kids who volunteered in 2008, even though he wasn’t old enough to vote. Fluellen has seen, up-close and in real life, the problem Obama has to deal with this time. Fluellen says many young people are asking, “’What has the president done?’” He, like most people who have worked to get students politically motivated, has heard all the concerns over rising tuition fees and student loan debt.
16.8 million
newly eligible young voters since 2008. 16 | Insight
Most important issues college students value in choosing a candidate. 43 35 17 4 50%
source: Rasmussen College, rockthevote.com
500,000 young voters new registered young voters since 2008 registered young voters in 2008
Apatheists: The United States of Whatever News stations know who their viewers are, and don’t seem to try real hard to draw in college students. That’s why students don’t have access to the information they need, Fluellen says. Students don’t know what, if anything, Obama has done for them. “A lot of what [Obama] fought for dealt with students directly,” he says. Even though Fluellen thinks that students have a “huge stake” in this election, he also knows many students have no plans to vote. Students Organizing for America has been present on campus since January, and Fluellen says that, despite so many students unwilling to participate, it hasn’t stopped them from being successful. “We meet once ever week,” he says, “and at least one student comes up to me and wants to get involved.”
It’s not just Obama that’s taking a direct interest in young people this election, either. Chau says that the Republican Party took notice of the strength Obama received from the young people’s votes and participation in 2008. He says that republicans are making more efforts to reach out to young people this election, too. Tuition is on the minds of almost every student in the country, and Chau says that tuition increases are one reason he sees UNR students getting involved on campus. “Our UNR tuition went up,” he says, “due to a mismanagement of money.” He says that is one of the biggest reasons students have for getting involved in the Romney campaign at UNR. They’re worried about tuition, debt, and their financial future, and Romney’s platforms have addressed that. Whatever the cause may be for UNR’s rising tuition, watching it go up and up when so many politicians say they won’t let it happen is disheartening. So, what will this election mean for young voters? Last time, Obama’s campaign strategy worked because his image resonated with a lot young people. Shouldn’t he be able to just do it again this time and have the young vote in the bag? Well, maybe. “We might be able to get the impact again,” says Clark, “but it’s really not in his power. It wasn’t in his power in ‘08 to get people
Why the don't young people
fuck vote
excited - involved.” Clark isn’t certain that Obama has the same support anymore. Obama isn’t going to have as easy of a time getting young people to campaign like they did last time around. With congressional and presidential approval ratings at such lows, it’s common sense to assume that some people feel discouraged. “Those that choose not to vote believe each side has their own agenda,” Chau says. He sees a lot of students who don’t think it matters win. “Tuition will still go up, and that things won’t change. Our opinions aren’t being heard.” It doesn’t matter who you vote for, or what you believe. There’s no way around the fact that young people are the least represented people in the political system. That 1.5 percent increase in younger voter turnout doesn’t have to be a one time gig. It doesn’t matter if politicians don’t address young people. If young people started voting, volunteering, and becaming an active part of the political system, then politicians would have no choice but to pander them. That 1.5 percent was enough of a change to make the whole country notice. For a second, young people had the nation’s full attention, and many people say it was young people who put Obama in office. That is the same young people who elected the nation’s first black president. Clark said that it wasn’t in Obama’s power to have that impact again, and it isn’t. Nothing anyone says or does will have any impact if young people aren’t making a voice for themselves. If you don’t vote, you won’t be heard.
Young voters matter. Young voters can make a difference. Young voters have made a difference. Young voters get pizza parties. It’s never too late to stop being a young person and start being a young voter. Insight | 17
Disgramming the RNC & DNC
Written by: Katherine Sawicki
The Republican and Democratic national conventions showcase each party’s best representatives that deliver speeches on how Candidate X is the best choice compared to Candidate Y, and how each candidate will perform tasks A, B, and C to further improve/revitalize national problems L, M, N, O, and P. With all these speeches, speakers, and symbolism, it can be hard to discern who the speakers’ audience is, if they are for or against a cause, and if their emotion is more powerful than their information, vise versa. With that, don’t talk with your chair to clear the air, but allow me to guide you through what some of the representatives were saying. Republican National Convention: Tampa Bay, Florida. August 27-30, 2012 John Boehner Who: Speaker of the House (2011-current) When: August 28, 2012; 7:00 PM EDT Quote: “My dad and my uncles owned a bar outside of Cincinnati. I worked there growing up, mopping floors, waiting tables….Let’s say right now, a guy walked into our bar - full of guys looking for work, having a tough go of it - and said, “The private sector is doing fine.” Well, do you know what we’d do? …We’d throw him out.” Audience: Working, middle class Americans The Bottom line: Boehner references Obama’s quote within his speech dated June 8, 2012 at a press conference in the White House, his new campaign ad: “Yes, we are better off than we were four years
18 | Insight
ago.”, and his speech in Oakland, California on June 23, 2012. He uses his family owned bar as a metaphor to comically illustrate a “character” (Hint: Obama) that would deserve to be thrown out amongst the crowd of tired and hardworking bar goers. To emphasize the point, Boehner further says that we should throw Obama out and have Romney and Ryan, “the Comeback Team” to step in. Why should you care?: As a student, you are learning and preparing yourself to get a job once you graduate. (That was the whole point of loans and latenight study cram sessions, right?) Therefore, Boehner argues that Obama doesn’t understand the private sector, jobs, nor the economy in general. Thus, Boehner emphasizes that if Obama is again elected president, you, the future working class, best prepare yourself to be one of the struggling bar goers destined to sing Billy Joel’s
“Piano Man” to ease the ache of a massive loans and debts with no college-efficient career. Rick Santorum Who: Former U.S Pennsylvania Senator (1997-2007)/ 2012 Republican Nominee When: August 28, 2012; 7:30 PM EDT Quote: “I thank God that America still has one party that reaches out their hands in love to lift up all of God’s children born and unborn - and says that each of us has dignity and all of us have the right to live the American Dream.” Audience: Traditional families The Bottom Line: He mentions three key points in his speech: the “assault on families”, reconstructing welfare, and the education system. Sociology 101 explains that institutions like these are linked within a web of our society; hence, Santorum makes a connection between the three social institutions.
Obviously, one can see that his platform is the concern for children’s futures and broken families that are struggling under the weight of debt and work burdens. Speaking of work, Santorum said how he helped rewrite welfare reform to require work as a condition to receive welfare, hence the “vote for life and liberty, not dependency” part. Santorum alludes to a vicious circle of how poor education will lead children to have broken families, which dominoes to poor/no available jobs and a dependency on welfare, only to start the pattern again. Why should you care?: We’ve been told by our parents and Mister Rogers that we are all unique and individual as snowflakes, but coming to college and getting our first jobs have made us feel a dime a dozen amongst our many peers/competitors. We here at Insight want you to “be your
own rainbow”, but do realize that although you are a face amongst many others, you are part of a sociological web of teams. Although we can’t all join hands and sing kumbaya, we can influence one another by perhaps volunteering like “Big Brothers, Big Sisters” to promote stronger families, do our jobs the best we can (ASUN employees: think about pickles), and get a degree to advance our education system. Then just maybe, our generation can begin to break the cycle. Ann Romney Who: Former First Lady of Massachusetts/ Potential First Lady of the United States When: August 29, 2012; 9:30 PM EDT Quote: “Sometimes I think that late at night, if we were all silent for just a few moments and listened carefully, we could hear a great collective sigh from the moms and dads across America who made it through another day, and know that they’ll make it through another one tomorrow. But in that end of the day moment, they just aren’t sure how. And if you listen carefully, you’ll hear the women sighing a little bit more than the men… It’s the moms who always have to work a little harder, to make everything right. It’s the moms of this nation — single, married, widowed — who really hold this country together…You know it’s true, don’t you? You’re the ones who always have to do a little more...You are the best of America. You are the hope of America. There would not be an America without you.” Audience: Mothers/Wives The bottom line: The Republican Party has been under a lot of criticism about the “Attack on Women’s Rights”, so Ann Romney has clarified what she thinks of the modern woman: hardworking, diligent, and underappreciated. Ann Romney doesn’t promote profeminism or an Amazonian overthrow of the male species,
but a salutatory nod to the female population and personal anecdote to relate. Why should you care?: At one point or another, we can all relate being the sons and daughters of working or stay home mom’s/ female caretakers. Some of you may already be mothers already. The love that Ann Romney spoke of for her husband is something that many of us may feel already with our significant others. Through this speech, we were able to see beyond the façade of a pretty, perky first lady, but draw a connection to her as a mother and dedicated wife. A connection that reassured Americans that women aren’t under attack, but are in the front lines for the battle of welleducated and healthy children. Democratic National Convention: September 4-6, 2012; Charlotte, North Carolina Harry Reid Who: Democratic Majority Leader/Current Senator of Nevada When: September 4, 2012; 9:47 PM EDT Quote: “His (Obama) whole life, there have been so many who told him what he shouldn’t or couldn’t do. But America has a president who knows what we must do. President Obama has also faced down another group of naysayers. In addition to the crowd of “couldn’ts” and “shouldn’ts,” the Republican Party has become the party of the “wouldn’ts” and the “won’ts.” They pledged on day one they wouldn’t lift a finger to help. And they haven’t. In the depth of the Great Recession, as millions of Americans were struggling to find work, the Republican leader of the senate, Mitch McConnell, said Republicans’ number one goal was to make Barack Obama a one-term president. They wouldn’t cooperate to create jobs. They wouldn’t try to turn around the economy. They wouldn’t do
anything but stand in President Obama’s way.” Audience: Working Americans The Bottom Line: Reid points a lot of fingers at the Republican Party. He said that Republicans criticized Obama for finding Osama Bin Laden, taking on big banks, and revitalizing Detroit hence the “couldn’ts” and “shouldn’ts” bit. Why should you care?: Hits home, huh? Nevada is a state under a very fine microscope in this campaign. Reid may provide his viewpoints, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to agree. Since Nevada is such a swing state, make sure to study (now more than ever) on both candidates to see who best represents you. Michelle Obama Who: Current First Lady When: September 4, 2012; 10:45 EDT Quote: “If farmers and blacksmiths could win independence from an empire… if immigrants could leave behind everything they knew for a better life on our shores…if women could be dragged to jail for seeking the vote…if a generation could defeat a depression, and define greatness for all time… if a young preacher could lift us to the mountaintop with his righteous dream…and if proud Americans can be who they are and boldly stand at the altar with who they love then surely, surely we can give everyone in this country a fair chance at that great American Dream.” Audience: Families in financial trouble Bottom Line: Michelle Obama salutes soldiers, relates to mothers, and mostly praises her husband. She makes a lot of anecdotes of her struggling family, hers and Barack’s student loans, and their daughters to relate to the audience. Why should you care?: Michelle Obama has become an icon like Jackie Kennedy within these 4 years. She has been a part of
promoting healthy eating, the armed forces, have been on many well dressed lists, and has made appearances on many talk shows like Ellen. When you’re voting for the man this election year, you are also voting for his leading lady. Bill Clinton Who: Former U.S President When: September 5, 2012; 11:45 PM EDT Quote: “One of the main reasons America should re-elect President Obama is that he is still committed to cooperation. He appointed Republican Secretaries of Defense, the Army and Transportation. He appointed a Vice President who ran against him in 2008, and trusted him to oversee the successful end of the war in Iraq and the implementation of the recovery act. And Joe Biden did a great job with both. He appointed Cabinet members who supported Hillary in the primaries. Heck, he even appointed Hillary!” Audience: Democrats The Bottom Line: Clinton praises the Democratic for many of their accomplishments, as he criticizes the Republican party for being “all for one”. By pointing out each of the members’ achievements, it reminds everyone the good from Obama’s presidency. Why should you care?: You can feel like you’re in the middle of a shooting range with all the bullets that Republicans and Democrats are firing at each other. It can be hard to remember who said what, what platform each stand on, and what you should care for amongst all this madness! Remember that most importantly, you can actively participate by voting and spreading the word for your candidate, or you can passively not vote and inform others of your decisions. Either way, it’s your choice.
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Ratings “Microwave the CD”
“Keep and Listen”
“ENCORE!”
Woods – “Bend Beyond”(2012) a review by Heather Dornberger
This fall, Woods will release their seventh album within the seven years they have been together. While many bands might tire after releasing so many albums in such a short period of time, Woods just might have created their best album yet. The album “Bend Beyond” which is to be released on the Woodsist record label, still keeps to the distinct sound Woods has created for themselves over the past seven years, but is much more polished and crisp than past records. The album runs gracefully from mellow folk to explosive experimental psych rock. Rather than sticking to a lo-fi sound like on their last several records, this album is much more produced, but not to the point of dramatically changing the band. Rather than long jangled guitar interludes and fuzzed out vocals, this album seems to focus on the pop song. Songs like harmonicahinged “Cali in a Cup” and “Is it honest” are reminiscent of 60’s country-folk band The Byrds. They put a much heavier focus on lyrics than what would be expected from earlier Woods albums, and the resulting product really emphasizes the fantastic songwriting done by front man Jeremy Earl. Rather than hiding his voice with heavy distortion, Earl allows for much clearer vocals on this record, which presents a more focused and polished album. While there are plenty of pop songs to go around, “Bend Beyond” is hardly light and fluffy. The opening title track “Bend Beyond” prefaces a later sequence of darker songs than what has come to be expected from Woods. The fear of change and the overall difficulty of life seems to be the pertaining sentiment to this album. “It’s so fucking hard” Earl croons on the song “Is it honest,” and it’s hard to disagree. It’s difficult not to think of Nick Drake when listening to this record; while not identical to Drake, the sentiments of hopelessness and despair are quite similar. While pushing the boundaries on this album, Woods doesn’t entirely pass on their psych rock past. Tracks such as “Cascade” and “Size Meets the Sound” still have the psychedelic feel that we’ve come to expect from Woods. The title track “Bend Beyond” starts out as a relatively simple pop song before building up to a full-on psych-jam. The careful mixture of pop, psych and folk are really what makes “Bend Beyond” something special. While on past albums the band has tried to make this mixture work, they have always fallen short. The band’s past seven years have seen the mixing of all these styles, and on “Bend Beyond” they finally make the combination work. Animal Collective Centipede Hz” a review by Nicholas Rattigan Animal Collective –Centipede Hz (2012) Label: Domino It is hard for any artist to release a follow up to a massive success. In the case of Animal Collective, we are living in a Post Pavillon world where nobody knew knows what to expect next from some of Baltimore’s finest, with many critics and fans torn on what to think of this hyperactive child of an album. But hidden behind all of the electronic busyness is a meticulously produced mash of melody that displays yet another advancement in Animal Collective’s evolution. If you are still hesitant to the new sound, give track 4, “Applesauce” another listen. “Grizzly Bear Shields” a review by Nicholas Rattigan Grizzly Bear – Shields (2012) Label: Warp Records The last song on this album, “Sun in Your Eyes”, drives home the fact that Grizzly Bear have perfected their soft, cinematic sound, atmospheric tones and masterful songwriting. Unfortunately, the rest of the songs on the album are upbeat pop hits that lack the timelessness of singles like “Two Weeks” or “Knife.” Regardless, they are some of the finest musicians in the indie genre today and this album is a worthwhile listen. “Two Door Cinema Club Beacon” a review by Nicholas Rattigan Two Door Cinema Club – Beacon (2012) Label: Kitsuné Bands like Fun, Foster the People, and Two Door Cinema Club are a huge threat to independent music. They are given the appearance of an indie rock band, but lack all of originality and talent that are usually associated with the genre. This album is full of generic melodies and lyrics that are better fit for a middle school literary arts journal. Two Door Cinema Club have managed to become yet another factory-produced indie band to be found on shelves at your local convenience store.
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“Dinosaur Jr. Is Not Extinct” a review by Mark Mendoza Dinosaur Jr. – I Bet on Sky (2012) Label: Jagjaguwar
Indie rock as this generation knows it hinges on what’s new and groundbreaking, yet veteran alt-rockers Dinosaur Jr. prove that their signature high-gain distorted sound that once defined a musical era can still stand on its own. I Bet on Sky is a solid and mellower more mellow follow-up to 2009’s excellent album, Farm. The standout track “Watch the Corners” delivers J. Mascis’ unmistakable drone-like vocals about slacker life and his wailing guitar solos, courtesy of his Fender Jazzmaster. Riding on the wave of a comeback, they show no signs of slowing down with their over-driven fuzzed-out noise.
“The Power of Subtlety” a review by Mark Mendoza The xx – Coexist (2012) Label: Young Turks
Many musicians fear that the unpromising sophomore slump may overshadow the initial triumph of the debut. The xx manage to stave off a duplicate album with Coexist while still carrying over sultry vocals and powerful sparse beats. Jamie xx is a master manipulator of space and of filling it with resonating sounds of seduction. Romy Croft and Jamie xx’s lyrical chemistry give credibility to the sensual undertones. The album opener “Angels” is as provocative as anything from their last LP, but what is missing from the big picture are the poppier more poppy songs that made make xx an unlikely source for songs on commercials.
SPOTLIGHT Yukon
on:
and the
Territories
Reno’s Take on Indie Folk
Written by Sam Santoro Photogaph provided by Yukon and the Territories
T
he University’s music program has brought six people from different musical backgrounds to create the indie folk band known as Yukon and the Territories. Led by second year music student Dan Ruben, the band was spawned from Ruben’s expanding want for back-up musicians to complement his solo project. What was a solo endeavor eventually ended being more of a sextet with Dan Ruben on Guitar and vocals, Faith Herron also on vocals, Gavin Fitzhugh on bass, Adam Dunson on percussion as well as the newest addition of Brian Jaggard on violin. “I didn’t necessarily set out to form a band with six people. I just knew the instruments I wanted and it happened to equal six,” says Ruben. Although bands with many members aren’t strangers to the indie world, with groups like Arcade Fire and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes being extremely successful, it is still no easy feat. I asked Dan about the difficulties of having so many people in a band. “There are definitely some difficulties, but only in terms of rehearsing and booking shows.” Ruben explains that his band mates are so attuned to their individual instruments that they are capable of incorporating their own styles and sounds into a song while still making it as cohesive as possible. There is always arranging and changes to be made but according to Dan, “… having the players and instruments we have is worth any difficulty.” As far as inspirations for their music go, there is not a short list. Ruben is personally inspired by artists like Jon Foreman and Bon Iver but that’s just one genre that affects Yukon. Gavin plays grunge, Twigs is a jazz musician, Brian is a classical player and Adam Dunson, the percussionist “is super well rounded at everything” according to Dan. Even with the band’s influences running the gamut, they still try and produce an earthy harmonious sound that conveys something emotional and beautiful. A sound that is most at home at a coffee shop or other smaller venues where audiences look for a more intimate experience. There is certainly warmth to their music that can’t be attributed to just one factor, the entire band comes together with such ease that the music just flows naturally. Like most local bands Yukon is known to have a few covers on their set list, and a few months ago at one of their shows I got to hear their take on Gotye’s immensely popular “Somebody I Used to Know”. At first I was a little hesitant to hear another cover of that song but then they started playing. Even though I had heard that song countless times and was just about sick and tired of it, there was something about the inherent simplicity and organic nature of the band along with Dan and Faith’s silky vocals that managed to breathe new life into a song that was well on its way to becoming overplayed and annoying. I underestimated them and was pleasantly surprised; Yukon definitely has more up its sleeve than meets the eye. Yukon has potential but unfortunately feats in music are still fairly rare in the Reno. “Basically, if something big happens for the band that will be great. For now, our next goal is getting an EP recorded and some more exposure around the Reno area.” This band is definitely a Reno gem and until their big break you can look forward to seeing Yukon and the Territories, coming to a coffee shop near you.
Visit www.wolfpackradio.org to see Insight’s monthly playlist
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POLITICAL SCANDALS PHOTOGRAPHED BY BECCA EWART
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Naughty Twitter: Anthony Weiner
Washington is not immune to sexting it seems. Former Congressman, Anthony Weiner, used social media source Twitter to send a link to sexual pictures of himself to a woman who he had been having an “electronic relationship” with. At first, Weiner said his public Twitter account was hacked, and then later admitted to having sent the photo and others as well. He also admitted to having other onlinebased affairs with six other women.
(Left:) Emperor’s Club VIP: Eliot Spitzer
New York’s former governor has really expensive taste. Eliot Spitzer admitted to spending at least $15,000 on services from New York escort service, Emperor’s Club. After the news came out about his high priced hobby, his favorite prostitute, Ashley Alexandra Dupre, became a minor celebrity. Insight | 23
The Bathroom Foot Tap: Larry Craig
Senator Larry Craig was arrested in a Minnesota airport for lewd conduct in a public restroom. He spent 10 days in jail after pleading guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct. Craig had attempted to engage the plainclothes police officer investigating a series of complaints about lewd conduct in the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s restroom by standing in front of the stall door the officer occupied, tapping his foot under the stall divider, and swiping his hand under the divider. The officer recognized what Craig did as commonly used invitations for lewd activity.
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In Bed with Boys: Barney Frank
Barney Frank, the first openly gay member of congress, almost undid his successful political career in 1989 after having an affair with a male prostitute, Steve Gobie. Even though he did not commit adultery, he did pay someone for sex (which is illegal in his state of Massachusetts). He then hired Gobie as an assistant and let him live in his home, all while Gobie was still actively working as a prostitute and had allegedly turned Frankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home into a makeshift brothel. After an investigation it turns out Frank did not know what was going on in his home, but he did misuse his place in the House of Reps by waiving Gobieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parking tickets and attempting to end his probation for a prior offense. Despite all the drams, Frank continued to win over opponents in several re-elections.
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“Happy Birthday, Mr. President”: Marilyn Monroe and JFK Did they, or didn’t they? One of the most notorious alleged affairs was between iconic movie star Marilyn Monroe and handsome president John F. Kennedy. Rumors were never confirmed, thus the mystery lives on. Affair whispers began after Marilyn’s sultry performance of Happy Birthday in 1962 during a fundraiser for JFK. So far, there have been six other alleged mistresses of JFK. The most recent affair scandal of JFK came out just this year.
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The Sexy Intern: Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky
After the Monica and Bill sex scandal broke in 1998, it became one of the most famous (or infamous) presidential sex scandals of all time. Lewinsky, a White House intern, told a friend about the affair who recorded their converstation and later brought the tape to investigators who were investigating Clinton on other matters. The scandal became knons as “Monicagate”, “Lewinskygate”, “Tailgate”, “Sexgate”, and “Zippergate”. Insight | 29
The Run
The
five worst political cam
Lies, wordspinning, and propaganda seem like the campaign between Obama and Romney, which is one of the ugliest America has seen. But the truth is, American politics has played dirty from the very beginning. In fact, here’s a list of the top five worst campaigns in American History.
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1
It all started with a little girl named, “Daisy.”
2
The wife always takes the most political wrath.
Lyndon B. Johnson vs. Barry Goldwater Election of 1964
Andrew Jackson vs. John Adams Election of 1824
The beginning of negative television commercials started when Lyndon Johnson aired a paid commercial, which came to be known as the most famous of all campaign commercials and the beginning of “mudslinging.” The low blow: He used a cute little girl counting flower petals to signify the counting down of a bomb. With an American occupied Vietnam, nobody wanted to imagine using bombs. So he painted a good picture that Goldwater, as president, would be too “dangerous” and want to drop bombs all over the place.
Andrew Jackson’s wife, Rachel was at the mercy of Adams’s comments. Rachel was the victim of a divorce from an abusive husband. If you remember, divorce was seen as a huge deal in this era. Adams’s started spreading rumors that she had a problem with being too “open and (showing) notorious lewdness”; she was also a “dirty black wench” and a “convicted adulteress.” Jackson’s reply: Adams sold his maid to become a concubine in Russia. Good one.
3
ndown
mpaigns in
3
Then again, the men take a little name calling too.
Written by: Christina Bacock Picture credit: Boston.com, Squidoo.com, Myspace.com, Chinadaily.com, About.com, Corbisimages.com
American History
4
Politics’ favorite three R’s: Race, Religion, and Rumors.
5
The campaign ends with a bang…literally.
Thomas Jefferson vs. John Adams Election of 1828
Herber Hoover vs. Al Smith Election of 1928
Aaron Burr vs. Alexander Hamilton 1804
Jefferson’s people called Adams a “hideous hermaphroditical character, which has neither the force and firmness of a man, nor the gentleness and sensibility of a woman.” Need I say more? What’s a man to do when called such a nauseating description? Make up something worse. Adams’s people decided Jefferson was “a mean-spirited, low-lived fellow, the son of a half-breed Indian squaw, sired by a Virginia mulatto father.”
If you ever wondered why you never heard of the presidential running mate, Al Smith, here’s why his campaign was such a bust: Smith’s wife, Kate, grew up in lower-class society and of Irish ancestry. The bigots would say if Kate were first lady she would make the White House smell of “corned beef, cabbage, and home brew.” Republican national committeewoman, Mrs. Florence T. Griswold said in a speech, “Can you imagine an aristocratic foreign ambassador saying to her, ‘What a charming gown,’ and Kate’s reply would be, ‘Youse said a mouthful!’” Smith was also America’s first Catholic runner up. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) played a nice role deterring his votes by burning crosses and exploding dynamite across prairies whenever he took the train west. Their tag line: Smith was sworn to the pope and would turn America into “Romanism and Ruin.” Not only was he doomed by the KKK, but imagine going to school and your teacher threatened you on whom to vote for. Well, that’s exactly what the school board did in Daytona Beach, Fla. Each child was left a note in his or her lunch pail that read, “We must prevent the election of Alfred E. Smith to the presidency. If he is chosen president, you will not be allowed to read or have a bible.”
The worst campaign wasn’t even between two presidential candidates. Burr and Hamilton had a long history of being rivals. Once Burr tried to run for governor of New York, Hamilton sabotaged his campaign, making him lose the election. The two decided to hash out their rivalry in a gun duel, leaving Hamilton dead and Burr to flee the country.
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This publication is made possible by the Associated Students of the University of Nevada, Reno
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