Volume 16 Issue 9 | Wes tern Oregon University | Friday, Dec. 4, 2015
CAMPUS LIFE Light it up
WOU celebrates the 48th annual tree lighting Page 7
Photo by EVERYCAMPUSAREFUGE.ORG
Every Campus a Refuge seeks shelter for Syrian refugees ENTERTAINMENT Unconventional Christmas Movies More reasons to get into the season Page 7
EDITORIAL Pets are friends, not presents
Why you should reconsider the Christmas puppy Page 11
Program encourages universities to lend a hand By Alvin Wilson | Staff Writer In an attempt to help refugees of the Syrian civil war, a professor at Guilford College in North Carolina has started a project called Every Campus a Refuge. Every Campus a Refuge is an initiative that encourages colleges and universities to work with local refugee placement agencies to house a refugee family for 90 days during the resettlement process. Diya Abdo, the Guilford College professor who created the program, explained the inspiration behind his idea during an interview on NPR. Abdo stated, “When the pope called on every parish in Europe to host a refugee family, I began thinking deeply about that call for cities to become a place of refuge.” “I thought well, a campus is very much like a city. We have facilities for housing. We have medical facilities. We have hundreds of hu-
Wolves dominate Concordia 92-59
Blow-out victory over Concordia christens GNAC opener By Jamal Smith | Sports Editor The Western Oregon men’s basketball team crushed Concordia University (CU) 92-59 in their GNAC con-
man beings with various skills. We have cafeterias,” said Abdo, “So why not, why not take on the Pope’s call and become a refuge?” Abdo believes university and college campuses can make the transition stage for refugees much easier. “When refugees come in, they’re only given a one-time stipend - each refugee. And that stipend they’re supposed to use to pay rent, to pay for food, for transportation,” Abdo said. “But if a campus houses them for those 90 days, after which they’re supposed to become self-sufficient, then they don’t have to use that stipend and they don’t have to worry about all the things they need to worry about. What they can do in those 90 days is focus on adjusting culturally, emotionally, psychologically.” But is this initiative something all universities should participate in? Dr. Paula Baldwin, assistant professor of communications here at Western, said the program sounds great, but there is a lot to consider when thinking about housing a refugee family from a completely different cul-
ference opener on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015 in Portland, Ore. This game was the first-ever meeting between the two schools in GNAC conference play. Concordia joined Division II and the GNAC conference earlier this year. WOU took the lead before the ball was tossed up at midcourt due to an administrative technical foul called against CU. Senior Jordan Wiley (G) made the free throw to give the Wolves a 1-0 advantage. The first five minutes of the game belonged to the Wolves who outscored the Cavaliers 17-3. CU came within 9 points of lead on two occasions
ture. Dr. Baldwin said, “My question is: where would they be housed? Do we have the space? Do we put them on a food program like the residential food plan, or do we try to put them in a faculty space where they would have a kitchen?” “How can we respect their cultural needs while helping them acclimate? When we think about housing them, we have to think about all of these factors,” said Baldwin. Even though it might make us feel good, it’s really not that simple, Baldwin explains. “We think about it very simply. We’re offering them refuge. We’re offering them shelter. Sometimes we do good deeds and we think, ‘okay, we got a roof over their head and food in their bellies. It’s good, right?”’ “It’s a great idea, and I think it’s a great teaching moment, but we need to think beyond that,” Baldwin said. She said it would be important to integrate them into the community so they don’t feel excluded. “Think about how they could be integrated
Continued on Page 3 in the first half, but could not chip away at the lead any further thanks to Western’s stifling defense. The first half ended with the Wolves up on the Cavaliers 45-29. In the second half, the Wolfpack continued their consistent play on both sides of the ball. WOU outscored the Cavs 47-30 in the half and kept a double-digit lead throughout. Redshirt-senior Andy Avgi (F), the 2014-15 GNAC Player of the Year, led all scorers with 27 points on 10 for 16 shooting from the floor. Avgi excelled from distance, shooting 4 for 5 from the beyond the arch and also adding 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. Wiley was one of three Wolves in double figures and
Continued on Page 4 WOU.EDU/WESTERNJOURNAL
2
NEWS
The Journal Friday, Dec. 4, 2015
THE JOURNAL 345 N. Monmouth Ave. Monmouth, OR 97361 Student Media Department TERRY HOUSE NEWSROOM 503-838-8347
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CONNER WILLIAMS journaleditor@wou.edu
The speed of light
Harold Haas holds up a lightbulb during his TEDGlobal talk. Photo by TED.COM
Up-and-coming invention boasts speeds 100 times faster than Wi-Fi
MANAGING EDITOR KATRINA PENAFLOR
journalmanaging@wou.edu
NEWS EDITOR JENNA BERESHEIM journalnews@wou.edu
CAMPUS LIFE EDITOR MEGAN CLARK
journalcampuslife@wou.edu
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR DECLAN HERTEL journalentertainment@wou.edu
SPORTS EDITOR JAMAL SMITH
journalsportst@wou.edu
PHOTO EDITOR STEPHANIE BLAIR
journalphoto@wou.edu
DESIGNERS CARLY FISTER BENJAMIN BERGERSON journaldesigner@wou.edu
COPY EDITOR JACK ARMSTRONG journalcopy@wou.edu
ADVERTISING MANAGER TBA journaladvertising@wou.edu
WEB MANAGER MARY GEANELLI BERNARDO journalweb@wou.edu
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER SAMANTHA DUNAWAY STUDENT MEDIA ADVISER RHYS FINCH 503-838-9697
SUBMISSIONS THE JOURNAL encourages readers to share their opinion through letters to the editor and guest columns. Submissions must be typed and include the writer’s name. Contact information will not be published unless requested. Unsigned submissions will not be printed and original copies will not be returned. Letters to the editor may be up to 300 words and guest columns should not exceed 500 words. THE JOURNAL does not guarantee the publication of all letters or columns. THE JOURNAL reserves the right to edit for punctuation, grammar, and spelling, but never for content. Please bring submissions to THE JOURNAL at Terry House or email to journaleditor@wou.edu. Submissions must be received by Wednesday at 5 p.m. to be considered for print. All opinions expressed in columns, letters to the editor or advertisements are the views of the author and do necessarily reflect those of THE JOURNAL or Western Oregon University.
By Jenna Beresheim | News Editor Li-Fi, the bigger and faster brother to WiFi, has recently garnered a lot of public attention despite the fact that it has existed for years. Light Fidelity, or Li-Fi, is said to be over one hundred times faster than what Wi-Fi is currently capable of in terms of transmitting data to devices. The difference is in how the data is accessed - through light bulbs. The concept is a visual form of Morse code, where visible light communication transmits messages through binary code using household light bulbs. Harold Haas, German physicist and professor at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, is the creator of this concept, and has been working for years to test the idea in labs. But now testing has begun to move into French hospitals and other high-traffic public areas for a true test of its capabilities. In his TEDGlobal presentation in 2011, Haas said, “The way we transmit wireless data is by using electromagnetic waves, in particular, radio waves. And radio waves are limited, they are scarce, they are expensive, and we only have a certain range of it.” Haas later founded pureLifi, a company focused on nurturing his invention to full market readiness. The company’s vision statement as reported by Inc.com reads, “To be the world leader in Visible Light Communications technology enabling ubiquitous, high-speed, secure data networks wherever there is illumination.” Currently, Li-Fi boasts features such as efficiency through use of light bulbs rather than
No Frills 2017 Western Oregon applies to host housing conference By Brianna Bonham | Staff Writer During a General Assembly meeting on Nov. 19, 2015, Western’s Residence Hall Association (RHA) and all Hall Governments met to discuss issues such as Hall Of The Year points, the budget, Turkey Baskets, and much more. The Residence Hall Association was celebrating coming back from the Pacific Association of College and University Residence Halls (PACURH). A small group of members from Western represented the school at the
other delivery methods like routers, ability to place sources everywhere, and security. The last of these three means that light, which cannot travel through walls, allows transferred data to be much more secure from potential hackers. There are also a few fundamental drawbacks which keep Li-Fi from being available for general use quite yet. Once outdoors, Li-Fi is unavailable. Haas hopes to link outdoor lights, such as street lamps and traffic signals, to Li-Fi sometime in the future. This movement towards Li-Fi would also increase light pollution, as lights would have to be on to be able to use the product, inconconference this year. PACURH is an event where RHA organizations from across the west coast gather to discuss upcoming legislation and educational seminars. As the group celebrated, Roz Lethe, ARA of Heritage Hall, and Ashley Cooper, ARA of the Barnum, Butler, Gentle and Landers quad on Western’s campus, presented a PowerPoint and educated the conference about No Frills 2017. No Frills 2017 is an opportunity for Western Oregon to host a unique conference on weekend in February of 2017 to be decided. No Frills is a business conference where Residence Hall Associations from across the west coast will meet and discuss bids and legislation. 150 people would be attending the conference, four representatives from each school, the Regional Board of Directors,
WOU.EDU/WESTERNJOURNAL
veniencing users if they do not wish to have lights on at all, or not turned on enough to stream Li-Fi. These limitations mean that Haas’ product would do well in highly populated or trafficked areas and buildings, such as hospitals, airplane cabins, and offices. At the moment, there is no move to usurp the big brother Wi-Fi, but rather to work in tandem with Li-Fi. Many companies are already looking into retrofitting their products to be compatible for both means of data usage. For a full breakdown of Haas’ invention, his 13 minute presentation at TEDGlobal can be found here: http://bit.ly/1bJ1yJ2 and special guests. If the school is chosen, the weekend will consist of meetings and talks broken up by meals, awards ceremonies, and team building activities. The possibility of Western hosting the conference creates an opportunity for the university to show off some campus spirit and hospitality to other schools in the region. Lethe and Cooper are looking for volunteer chairs to head committees dealing with the ceremonies, volunteer coordination, transportation and hospitality facilities, school spirit, and financing. The group is currently looking for 18 chairs in total. For more information about getting involved with the No Frills 2017 conference bid, contact Roz Lethe or Ashley Cooper via their WOU emails.
NEWS
The Journal Friday, Dec. 4, 2015
3
Terrorism around the world Attacks overlooked in lieu of Paris bombings By Brianna Bonham | Staff Writer Terrorist attacks are no stranger to the modern world. On Nov. 13, 2015 and the days surrounding, the world mourned with many countries as terrorism made its appearance once again. In the light of the Paris attacks, many terrorist attacks around the world were overshadowed. The news coverage of the Paris attacks was significantly more than the attacks on Baghdad, Beirut, Yola, and Kano, even though some of those attacks took place on the same date. The terrorist attacks on Paris, Baghdad, and Beirut were reported to have been carried out by the Islamic State militant groups. Both attacks on Nigeria are suspected to have been carried out by the extremist group Boko Haram, but neither
attack has been claimed. In light of the attacks on Paris, social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter promoted awareness for the attacks by offering banners or stickers to add to profiles so that users could show their support for the country. Twitter social justice activist Shaun King (@ShaunKing) used Twitter to promote awareness of the terrorist attacks around the world. Twitter users enacted hashtags such as #PrayForHumanity. Baghdad, Iraq According to the Al Arabiya News, a suicide bombing killed 19 civilians and injured 33. The bombing occurred in the Al-Ashara al-Mubashareen mosque during a funeral south of Baghdad. The attacks were claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group according to Al Arabiya News. Two roadside bombs near Sadr City in north Baghdad killed two civilians and wounded at least nine. Beirut, Lebanon A bowl of free buttons to show support victims of terrorism. Photos by BRIANNA BONHAM
A message written by WOU students in response to terrorism around the world.
Every Campus a Refuge: From Front Page into our community. They could go and speak to classes about their experience. When we see somebody’s story, and we hear them, it brings it to life for us. It makes it real in a way that it isn’t when we read it in the news.” When asked if Western would make a good refuge for Syrian refugees, Baldwin said only if we thoroughly con-
According to CNN, a pair of suicide bombers killed 43 civilians and about 240 civilians were injured in the attacks. Also according to CNN, a would-be suicide bomber told authorities that he was sent by ISIS [Daesh]. The Lebanese authorities believe that the bombers were part of a sleeper cell group. A sleeper cell is a terrorist that blends into society until told to act. In this case, the cells were reportedly created and dispatched by ISIS [Daesh]. Paris, France The attacks in Paris left 137 people dead, and hundreds wounded, according to BBC News. The attacks occurred minutes apart in restaurants, a concert hall, a stadium, and bars. Many attackers wore explosive
sider everything. “It’s not about putting a roof over their heads and giving them some food. They’re already stressed. They’ve already gone through so much trauma that we cannot even imagine. As long as we think that through, I think we’re a great candidate. It’s a beautiful campus. It’s a little bit healing to be here.” The governor of North Carolina has publicly stated his opposition to the placement of Syrian refugees in the state, and representatives of the state have asked Guilford College to rescind its offer to house refugees. “But we stand firm by our offer,” Abdo said. “And in fact, we feel that this is an excellent opportunity for
WOU.EDU/WESTERNJOURNAL
vests, and used guns to shoot civilians. The New York Times called the attack “Europe’s worst terrorist attack in 11 years.” A video was posted of ISIS [Daesh] claiming responsibility for the attacks, according to CNN. Yola and Kano, Nigeria The bombings that took place in a marketplace in Yola were allegedly carried out by two girls, one 11 years old, and one 18 years old. An official from the National Emergency Management Agency gave a toll of 32 dead, and 80 injured, but hospital officials gave an even higher toll according to CNN. 400 miles northwest, two collective bombings killed 15 people and injured over 123 in a mobile phone market in Kano. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but the prime suspect is reportedly Boko Haram, a militant Islamist group. The group operates mainly out of Nigeria, but has become the most deadly terrorist group in the world according to the Global Terrorism Index 2015.
institutions of higher learning to intervene in the discourse around the refugees. If campuses around the U.S. say no, we will take in the refugees, then that radically provides a positive welcome.” For more information about Every Campus a Refuge, visit www.everycampusarefuge.org
4
SPORTS
The Journal Friday, Dec. 4, 2015
Freshman Kadeem Strickland had 13 points in victory against Concordia
Basketball: From Front Page
had a season-best 21 points on 7 for 10 shots fired. Freshman Kadeem Strickland (G) filled up the stat sheet tallying 13 points, 5 assists and 3 steals.
While you were away Updates for all the games from last week By Jamal Smith | Sports Editor Cross country: On Saturday, Nov. 21, sophomore David Ribich competed in the 2015 NCAA Division 11 Championships in Joplin, MO. Ribich finished 67th out of 246 runners in the 10K Individual Championships with a time of 30:58. Men’s basketball: On Friday, Nov. 27, WOU dominated Notre Dame de Namur University 81-51 in their first game of the NDNU
Photo courtesy of WOUWOLVES.COM
Defense and ball security played a key role in the Wolves’ victory. WOU committed only 8 turnovers leading to only 4 points off of turnovers and created 22 Cavalier turnovers leading to 27 points. The Wolves also had a season high 13 steals and held the Cavaliers to just .420 shooting from the floor. The 92 points scored for the Wolves was their high mark for the season. As a team, Western shot .507 from
the floor and .464 from the three-point line. The Wolves held every possible statistical advantage. With the decisive victory the No. 4 ranked Wolves improved to 7-0 overall and 1-0 in GNAC conference play. Next up, the Wolves host Montana State University-Billings (2-4) on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015 at 7 p.m. in the New P.E. Building. You can purchase tickets online or in person on game day at the box office.
Thanksgiving Classic in Belmont, Calif. Senior Andy Avgi (F) made his season debut for the Wolves and had a game-high 24 points in only 22 minutes of play, also adding 7 rebounds and 3 steals. Three other Wolves finished the game in double figures; senior Jordan Wiley (G) had 15 points, redshirt-sophomore Alex Roth (G) had 14 points and first year Kadeem Strickland (G) had 11 points. On Saturday, Nov. 28, WOU defeated Holy Names University 84-75 in their second and final game of the NDNU Thanksgiving Classic. Avgi again had an outstanding game finishing with 29 points, shooting 10 for 16 from the floor. Senior Julian Nichols (G) added 16 points and 6 assists. The back-to-back victories improves the Wolves’ record to 6-0. The Wolfpack’s jumped six spots in the National Basketball Coaches Association Poll from No. 10 in the country in Division 11 to No. 4. Woman’s basketball: On Friday, Nov. 27, Western fell to Regis University 53-74 in the Mines Thanksgiving Tournament in Golden, Colo.
Junior Launia Davis (G) had a season high 10 points and was the only Wolf to score in double figures. Sophomore Sydney Azorr (G) and junior Jordan Mottershaw (G) added 8 points each. On Saturday, Nov. 28, WOU was defeated by Colorado School of Mines 47-62 in their second and final game of the Mines Thanksgiving Tournament. Mottershaw led the Wolves with 9 points, and first year Natalie DeLong (C) posted season highs in points and rebounds, finishing with 8 points and 11 rebounds. The two losses in the tournament give the pack an overall record of 1-5. Volleyball: On Saturday, Nov. 21, the Wolves finished their season on a sour note with a three set loss to University of Alaska Anchorage in their season closer. The set scores were 21-25, 16-25 and 11-25. The loss saw Western close out their year with an overall record of 8-21 and 5-15 in GNAC conference play which placed them tied for eighth in the GNAC.
WOU.EDU/WESTERNJOURNAL
SPORTS
The Journal Friday, Dec. 4, 2015
5
Kobe Bryant announces this will be his last season By Jamal Smith | Sports Editor
Photo courtesy of CRAIG MITCHELLDYER VIA TIMBERS FACEBOOK Timbers celebrate after Western Conference Finals victory over FC Dallas
Timbers advance to MLS Cup Win over FC Dallas secures Western Conference trophy By Jamal Smith | Sports Editor The Portland Timbers tied FC Dallas 2-2 on Sunday Nov. 30, 2015, but advanced to the MLS Cup Finals with a 5-3 aggregate goal lead. The Timbers entered Sunday’s match against FC Dallas with a 3-1 goal advantage from the game played a week before in Portland. Neither team could find the back of the net in the first half, but the second half was much different. Portland scored first in the 54th minute when midfielder Diego Valeri flicked a ball into the box to a wide open Fanendo Adi who slotted it past Dallas’s young goalkeeper. Just when it looked like Portland would easily defeat Dallas up 3 goals, Dallas gained momentum after Striker Blas Perez was subbed into the game. Dallas defender Ryan Hollingshead scored a goal in the 68th minute to close the gap to 4-2. Six minutes later, in the 73rd minute Perez added another Dallas goal on a header off of a penalty kick from just outside of the 18 yard box. All of the momentum now belonged to Dallas and it looked like they might be able to pull off the impossible. Dallas nearly evened things up when Perez took a wide open shot in the 18 yard box, but Portland defender Nat Borchers came out of nowhere to deflect the ball, saving an easy Dallas goal.
Portland survived wave after wave of Dallas attacks but Portland fought back with counter-attacks. In stoppage time, on a counter-attack, Valeri flicked the ball forward to striker Lucas Melano who dribbled the ball around the Dallas defense and slotted the ball into the back of the net, sealing Dallas’s fate. "This is a great moment for this club," Timber’s head coach Caleb Porter said after the game. "This is our first trophy, but we want the biggest trophy and we have one more game still to achieve that." Portland is the hottest team in the MLS and are unbeaten in their last eight games. The team is firing on all cylinders and their defense is coming up big like they have all year. "I think sometimes it just felt like the only people that believed in our cause were us," Borchers said after the match. "I'm just really proud to how we've responded to all that pressure. It's not easy. We easily could have given up and called it a day in the game at Salt Lake, but we won that game. We continued to win and here we are now." Portland will face their toughest test yet, when they play Columbus Crew on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2015 in Columbus, OH for the biggest prize in MLS. The game is at 1 p.m. on ESPN. The Crew beat out the New York Red Bulls 2-1 to win the eastern Conference Championship.
WOU.EDU/WESTERNJOURNAL
Hate him or love him no one can deny that Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest basketball players of all-time. On Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015 Bryant announced that this season, his 20th season in the NBA, would be his last. Bryant, 37, addressed the media after the Los Angeles Lakers 107-103 loss to the Indiana Pacers saying that he had made his decision to step away from the game a while ago. “I’ve known for a while. A decision like this, you can’t make that decision based on outside circumstances,” Bryant said at the post-game press conference. “It has to be an internal decision, and finally I’ve decided to accept that I can’t actually do this anymore, and I’m OK with that.” Bryant may be an amazing player but three injury-plagued seasons have held him back. In the last two seasons, Bryant has only appeared in just 41 of 164 Lakers games, and he exited last season early due to a torn right rotator cuff. Since making his return this year to the purple and gold he has had trouble shooting the ball. Through 13 games this year Bryant is averaging only 15.5 points while shooting .305 from the field and .202 from beyond the arch. Just a day before his announcement, Stephen A. Smith, a popular sports analyst for ESPN said that Bryant should retire immediately. Smith called Bryant a liability on the court, and said his dreadful season could damage his legacy. Bryant’s accomplishments in the eyes of most sports fans will overcome his lackluster final season, and with only 13 games played in the season Bryant has the opportunity to turn it around. “With 17 NBA All-Star selections, an NBA MVP, five NBA championships with the Lakers, two Olympic gold medals and a relentless work ethic, Kobe Bryant is one of the greatest players in the history of our game,” said NBA commissioner Adam Silver in a statement. “Whether competing in the Finals or hoisting jump shots after midnight in an empty gym, Kobe has an unconditional love for the game.” Fans and NBA players are grappling with the news. NBA superstar Lebron James is saddened that this is Bryant’s last season. “I knew I had to be better because of Kobe Bryant. I knew he was in the gym and I knew he was working on his game. And I knew he was great,” said James in an interview with ESPN. “So every day that I didn’t want to work out or every day I felt like I couldn’t give more, I always thought of Kobe.” Hate him or love him it will be sad to not see Bryant on the court.
It has to be an internal decision, and finally I’ve decided to accept that I can’t actually do this anymore, and I’m OK with that.
6 Friday, Dec. 4, 2015
CAMPUS LIFE
The Journal
TATTOOSOF WESTERN
Tattooing is a tradition that is nearly 5,200 years old, according to the carbon dating of the preserved, tattooed body of a man found on the Italian-Austrian border. This permanent form of body art has held cultural and personal significance for thousands of years, and has become a popular form of personal expression on Western’s campus. This art form spans a variety of cultures; the ancient Egyptians, Pacific Islanders, and Japanese are well known for their use of tattoos. Tattoos have been used in these cultures to show status, invoke fear, and show group affiliations. While tattoos are often stigmatized, they are becoming popular for contributing to the expression of personal style. According to Statistic Brain Research Institute, 45 million Americans have tattoos, with 38 percent of the 18-25 age bracket having at least one. Along with this resurgence of tattoo popularity comes a resurgence of old tattooing methods; one of the most ancient forms of tattooing called ‘stick and poke’ is being revived. Using a sharp needle, the artist gently pushes or taps the ink into the skin by hand.
By Megan Clark | Campus Life Editor
This is a popular method for at-home tattooing, as it’s far easier than learning how to use a machine; however, tattooing at home, is often unhygienic and dangerous, no matter what method is used. Stick and poke is a time consuming method since the ink must be inserted dot by dot. Tattoo machines can tattoo continuous lines and shade with ease, using one fast moving needle for line work and multiple, smaller needles for shading. The best ways to ensure longevity of a tattoo is to choose locations on the body that won’t get easily warped or worn down; poor examples of tattoo locations are the fingers, soles of the feet, or places that might stretch from weight gain or pregnancy. Bold lines, color contrast, and avoidance of small details will also help maintain the clarity of a tattoo; as the tattoo ages, the ink spreads and details are often muddled. Following up on proper tattoo aftercare is of the utmost importance; disregarding proper aftercare can lead to scarring and ink fallout. With all of this taken into consideration, the tattoo can be a beautiful bodily adornment that will last a lifetime, something showcased by all of the tattoos on Western students we see here.
CLOCKWIS world map and sheets Zoe Strickla on Kalli Ra Wills, Black
Photos by S
Electro swingin’ fun By Joleen Braasch | Staff Writer Ever heard of electro swing? If you haven’t, then look no further than Western’s own campus to explore this exciting, multi-era musical genre. Western Hemisphere Voices, a campus-based student vocal group featuring 11 vocalists, a rhythm section, and horns, put on a show in the electro swing style, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2015. Terra Schwartzwalt, a conductor at WOU for fall term, describes electro swing as a new age genre, “capturing the traditions of jazz from the past and fusing it with pop and electronic music in the modern day.” The concert arrangements were inspired by the band Caravan Palace, a Paris-based group influenced by Herbie Hancock and Daft Punk. “Basically their music is sort of a collision of Gyspy Jazz and electronic dance music,” said Schwartzwalt, who arranged most of the music for the show. The group performed three of Caravan Palace’s songs: “Je’Mamuse,” “Pirates,” and “Dramaphone.”
Some of the other selections included selections from other electro swing groups and renditions of well-known pops songs, such as “Burn” by Ellie Goulding and “Give Me Love” by Ed Sheeran. As a showcase for these student musicians, almost every member of the group performed a solo during the night, and students Brandon Franko and Kathryn Powers even arranged the Ed Sheeran piece. The band was also made up of students, and some of the members even switched from playing various instruments to singing. Haley Lancourt, a junior exercise science major, thought the concert was a “phenomenal idea.” She had heard a couple of electro swing styles songs, but she had never thought to make a concert out of it. Eli Schenk, a senior music major and member of Western Hemisphere Orchestra, 15 Miles West, and the Western Hemisphere Big Band, enjoys the musical diversity that the music program has to offer. Shenk said, “Last year, I did everything from New Orleans Jazz, to Radiohead, to like everything […] It’s wonderful how diverse the contemporary programs are.” Now he can add electro swing to that list.
WOU.EDU/WESTERNJOURNAL
Singers and choir sing w By Rachael Jackson | Staff Writer Gospel and choral music were taken to new heights on Monday Nov. 30, 2015, with rousing renditions of choral classics sung by the Western Oregon chamber singers and concert choir. The chamber singers took the stage first. They performed three modern compositions of familiar ecclesiastical pieces. While songs remained in their original Latin, their arrangement breathed fresh life into the classic tradition of chamber music. The chamber’s first piece, “Ave Maria,” which features text that has been used in choral music for over a thousand years, was revamped in 2015 by composer Daniel Elder. Another piece written in 2015, “Salzburg Missa Brevis,” was directed by Choral and Instrumental Conducting graduate student Miriam Means. To finish out the set, the chamber choir sang arguably the most modern of their pieces. It was a fun incarnation of the “Benedictio”
prayer. Fa played a s After a s the stage Csikos-Tar the traditi Csikos-T the beginn is a non-au meaning t edge. “At the would no couple me ed, and th anticipate Howeve when the tion from portunity tiful forms
CAMPUS LIFE
The Journal Friday, Dec. 4, 2015
7
WOU celebrates the 48th annual tree lighting By Joleen Braasch | Staff Writer On Friday Dec. 4, 2015, the giant Sequoia located on the lawn in front of Campbell hall will be strung with shining lights for the 48th time. It will once again be the center of WOU’s holiday spirit. The Sequoiadendron giganteum, planted back when the college was still known as the Oregon State Normal School, was a given as a gift to Western by the senior class of 1887. Nicole Larsen, a senior anthropology major, views the winter holidays as a special time for the WOU community. Photo courtesy of WOU ARCHIVES “The holidays are a time where I realize how intertwined Western is with the city of Monmouth, and it’s another thing that makes attending college here so special,” said Larsen. Marta Herring, a senior interdisciplinary studies major, loves that the giant sequoia plays such a central role in the holiday festivities at WOU. “The tree itself is a historic part of the WOU and Monmouth story and it’s nice to acknowledge that it still plays a role on campus to this day,” Herring said. The tradition of lighting the famous Western Sequoia began in 1967. Dormitory students and a few other individuals raised the money needed to buy lights that would cover the giant tree, and the Monmouth Fire Department was responsible for putting up the first strands of lights that would become a tradition. Currently, the campus Physical Plant has the honor of decorating the tree, and an essay winner from local elementary schools gets to flip the switch and light up the campus. This is Herring’s favorite part of the festivities, and she believes that “it’s important to emphasize that writing and education is important, and to give the kid a chance to participate in their community in an exciting way.” Savannah Hively, a sophomore majoring in exercise science, comes for the emotion. “[I love] the holiday magic that occurs when all the children’s faces light up as they light the tree,” said Hively. Larsen said “[I] love the festivities and food! It’s a chance to connect with people from all over campus and also alumni and members of the community.” The holiday parade begins at 6 p.m., and indoor activities will follow in the Werner University Center, beginning at 7 p.m. The indoor activities include a tree decorating contest, cookie bake-off, arts and crafts, pictures with Santa, school choral performances, and a “Toys for Tots” donation site. Looking for even more fun? Stop by Gentle House between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. for the Holiday Open House.
SE FROM TOP LEFT: Watercolor on Kalli Ramsey, Script, ladybug, of paper on Jade Rayner, Owl on and, Swallow silhouette and script amsey, Japanese koi on Jessica k and gray work on Jackson Fryer
STEPHANIE BLAIR
way into hearts Percussion Ensemble and Symphony enchant aster than the other songs, it also dis-
series of terse and jaunty notes. short intermission, the concert choir took with their conductor, professor Zsofia rdy, performing four songs that followed ion of gospel music. Tardy explained that this choir formed at ning of the term on rocky footing; since it udition choir, all members were accepted, they had varied degrees of musical knowl-
beginning it was a fear in me that we ot be ready,” Csikos-Tardy said. Finally a en joined with the bass voices they needhey all learned the music faster than she ed. er, Csikos-Tardy’s fears were put to bed group received applause and appreciathe gathered students, who had the opto be exposed to possibly new and beaus of choral and gospel music.
Students take break from studying with song By Rachael Jackson | Staff Writer
What better way to spend a drizzly Wednesday night than listening to beautifully emotional music played by the Western Symphony and Percussion Ensemble? Amidst pouring rain and under gloomy skies, the ensemble took the stage in Rice auditorium on Wednesday night of Dec. 2, 2015. Percussion director and Western professor Dr. Christopher Whyte joined the stage with the percussion ensemble to commence the first half of the concert. They played four pieces, with the final one putting a fantastic finish to a strong performance. The final song, entitled “Celebration and Chorale,” was written by virtuoso, and Principal Percussionist of the Oregon Symphony Niel DePonte. There was almost a nightmarish quality to the hurried and light notes, but within the haunting music there lay a healthy dose of
WOU.EDU/WESTERNJOURNAL
whimsy, largely due to the marimbas. The symphony took the stage after an intermission. They were conducted by Western professor Dr. Ike Nail. The third song they played, “Song and Eternity,” was composed by Mark Dal Porto. It is intended to question the ephemerality of life. Delicate chords were played with unexpected eagerness as the musicians attempted to answer this question through the song. “It questions death,” Dr. Nail said of the song, “Finding, perhaps, it is brevity that gives life reason.” The symphony also played a song entitled “Tocatto and Ritornelli” from the opera “Orfeo”. Orfeo tells the story from the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. In the myth, Orpheus rescues his love Eurydice from hell only to lose her forever. “If someone feels so strongly about something that they stop right there and sing about it, that’s opera,” said Nail during an introduction to the piece. Both ensembles clearly worked hard to bring the concerts together. It was well appreciated as they brought a bit of happiness to an otherwise gray and rainy week.
8
ENTERTAINMENT
The Journal Friday, Dec. 4, 2015
A review of Pixar’s “The Good Dinosaur”
Photo courtesy of MOVIES.DISNEY.COM
Pixar’s latest is merely “good,” but still very interesting
By Declan Hertel | Entertainment Editor Pixar’s latest film, “The Good Dinosaur,” is a curious little piece. It’s quite a good little piece, but is definitely curious. It holds the distinction of being the second Pixar film this year (“Inside Out” released in June and was great), a first for Pixar, who has never released more than one film in a single year; and it’s clearly a “kids’ movie,” as opposed to a “great kid-friendly movie,” like the rest of Pixar’s repertoire. It’s an intriguing step for Pixar, especially as we look ahead to their faster release schedule for the coming years. Firstly, let me say that “The Good Dinosaur” is jaw-droppingly gorgeous. The vibrant landscapes, the fluidity of movement, the detail on the characters, it’s all stunning. I mentioned two weeks ago that “Toy Story” still looks really good 20 years later, and it does, but it looks like a B-grade student project next to “The Good Dinosaur.” There’s hardly a frame in this movie
Board games for the holidays Fun times for the whole family By Declan Hertel | Entertainment Editor Families often play games at Christmas, and they are often dull. I am here to save you from the holiday gaming blues with some great, inexpensive games to bring the family together. “Gloom: Second Edition:” For telling all-new dark Christmas stories “Gloom” is a fun little card game with a Tim Burton/ Edward Gorey feel, wherein you preside over a family
that couldn’t stand on its own merit, visually speaking. But this leads us to one of the curiosities: sometimes the movie comes off as experiments in animation that were strung together to create a movie. This is reinforced by the episodic structure of the movie; it’s more of a series of islands than an A-to-B progression, highlighting that this might not have been a grand-concept picture from the get-go like “Finding Nemo” or “The Incredibles.” This method of storytelling is not inherently a bad thing at all, and actually makes for an interesting feel for “The Good Dinosaur,” which is to say that “The Good Dinosaur” is a “boy and his dog” story in the American South, but with dinosaurs. This is weird, but ultimately really cool, and allows Southern baritone Sam Elliott (the narrator in “The Big Lebowski”) to voice a giant T. Rex, which is just tops. Elliot’s character, Butch, brings up another strange part of “The Good Dinosaur:” it couldn’t decide how grown-up it wanted to be. It had all the goofy antics one
would expect from a movie like this, but also features, among other moments, Butch telling a story about how he drowned a crocodile in its own blood. There were several moments that could be genuinely unsettling to a small child, and several were unsettling to me (though the child two rows behind me seemed to thoroughly enjoy the movie). It’s almost unfortunate that Pixar has such a great overall track record: we expect greatness from them now, so a film like “The Good Dinosaur” that is just “solid” will likely get overlooked. It’s definitely worth a watch, but it is especially worth your time if you’re a diehard Pixar fan like yours truly. It keeps that innovative spirit that Pixar is known for, yet features many “kid flick” clichés. It feels familiar, yet is a fundamentally different movie than they have ever released before. It’s greater than the sum of its parts, but in an odd way. All I know for sure is that it’s immensely interesting. Watch it, and if you see me around, let’s talk about it.
of Victorian miscreants and deadbeats and make them as miserable as possible before sending them to the grave. Most of the fun of the game is making up stories about exactly how Lord Wellington-Smythe came to be “Cursed by the Queen,” and then “Beaten by Beggars.” If your family doesn’t have the dark and wicked sense of humor the game wants, try “Once Upon a Time,” which has similar storytelling bits, but in the vein of fairy tales. Both are ~$20. “Forbidden Desert:” For uniting the family in perilous times Your airship has crashed while on an expedition! Rebuild it and escape before you’re swallowed up by the Forbidden Desert! This cooperative exploration game demands teamwork to recover the lost parts of your vessel. Each character has a different set of abilities, and finding the best strategy to utilize them and get home safely is key to getting home, along with efficiently and quickly exploring the desert as the sandstorm rages
on. No one gets left out because everyone has to help out. With planning, patience, and a little luck, you just might make it out alive. $20-25. “Bang!:” For when the figgy pudding hits the fan Tensions can run high around the holidays, and sometimes you just need a good old shootout to get back on track. “Bang!” is a card game that simulates the gun battles at high noon from old “spaghetti western” movies. The Sheriff and his Deputies have got to eliminate all the Outlaws and the Renegade, the Outlaws need to kill all the lawmen, and the Renegade needs to be the last man standing. The catch is: no one knows who’s who. Watch carefully and take notes, because when the lead starts flying you just might catch some! If you’re looking for a simpler, cheaper shootout game, you can’t go wrong with “Poo,” wherein zoo monkeys fling poo at each other. It’s quick, dirty, and a lot of fun. “Bang!” is ~$25, “Poo” is ~$10.
WOU.EDU/WESTERNJOURNAL
ENTERTAINMENT
The Journal Friday, Dec. 4, 2015
9
Unconventional Christmas movies Had enough of the “classics?” Check these alternatives out In Bruges By Declan Hertel, Entertainment Editor Two Irish hitmen are ordered to hide out in Bruges, Belgium after a job goes horribly wrong. This sounds like a terribly un-Christmas film, I know. But beyond the movie taking place during Christmas, it has several elements of the Nativity story in it: a couple can’t find a place to stay to see out the trial ahead of them and it centers around the fate of a young boy, to name two. The pretty Christmas-y themes of redemption, forgiveness, and selflessness make up the fabric of the narrative, and as characters talk about the charming, beautiful Bruges being a “fairy tale town,” the film, which starts in absolute realism, becomes more and more like a fairy tale. A fairy tale full of guns, blood, and about one profanity per sentence spoken, but a fairy tale nonetheless. While it’s not “about” Christmas, Christmas is the foundation “In Bruges” is built on. It’s currently streaming on Netflix. Spike your nog and check it out. Edward Scissorhands By Darien Campo, Staff Writer If you’re looking for an unconventional Christmas film to celebrate the holidays, look no further than the 1990 classic “Edward Scissorhands,” which is truly one of the oddest films I’ve ever seen. The story revolves around a young man (Johnny Depp) constructed by an eccentric inventor (Vincent Price.) Before he can finish his creation, the inventor
passes away and leaves the young man in an incomplete state -- with a collection of scissors in place of his hands (don’t think about it too much.) The protagonist finds himself dragged into a bright, pastel-colored suburban paradise where everyone knows everyone else and rumours travel quickly. He finds it hard to fit into suburbia (what with the aforementioned scissors for hands) but manages to fall in love with a beautiful young woman (Winona Ryder.) As the Christmas season approaches, tensions rise and Edward’s new life is threatened. Tim Burton brings us a delightfully out of place character who’s fun to watch, and easy to relate to. Edward has one of the biggest hearts in cinema, and is easy to love (even with scissors for hands.) Gremlins By Stephanie Blair, Photo Editor Nothing screams “the holidays” like a 1980s mom defending her kitchen against green blooded demons, so if you’re into that kind of thing, go ahead and throw “Gremlins” in the VCR. Set in Kingston Falls, USA, “Gremlins” is the story of a kid named Billy trying to support his family while his eccentric father hacks it as an inventor. Billy works at the bank with Kate, a quiet, pretty girl he has a crush on. There’s also an evil old lady with bad eyebrows; a crazy, racist neighbor; and Billy’s faithful, but mischievous dog, Barney. It’s a cute family movie taking place just before Christmas. And then things get weird. Billy’s father gives him a Mogwai, a little three-fingered, Furbie-looking creature that has three strict rules:
“Jessica Jones” hits Netflix Another strong street-level superheroes show from Marvel By Ashton Newton | Staff Writer Earlier this year, Marvel’s cinematic universe got a new hero with Netflix’s original “Daredevil,” which added to the world of the Avengers with a darker, adult tone. On Nov. 20, the follow-up, “Jessica Jones,” was released on Netflix as well. These shows are two of four planned, with “Luke Cage” and “Iron Fist” coming at a later date, that will ultimately lead to The Defenders being formed and getting their own show. Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter, “Breaking Bad”) is an alcoholic private investigator with super strength and the power to jump really high as she tracks down her enemy Kilgrave (David Tennant, “Doctor Who”), who has the terrifying power of mind control. Along the way, Jessica gets help from some familiar Marvel faces including Luke Cage and her best friend, Patsy Walker. I personally loved the show. Seeing how the reality of the Marvel cinematic universe isn’t truly all Asgardian rainbows and Avengers towers, how people with abilities leave devastation and pain behind. It is definitely a dark show, aimed at adults, but I think as a comic fan and a fan of superhero movies, it was an extremely rewarding watch. One of the coolest factors of the show is that being on the streets of New York with this super powered character shows that the citizens in Marvel’s cinematic universe are beginning to open up and accept the fact that there are people with abilities among them. I think this is really important to show with characters like Spiderman, Doctor Strange, and Captain Marvel being introduced into the universe soon. The trailer was also released last week for the next Captain America movie, “Civil War,” which will be released in May of 2016. The movie shows how a new piece of legislation limiting the powers of the Avengers and other people with abilities divides our heroes into two opposing sides. It’ll be interesting to see if the repercussions of the movie affect Marvel’s street-level heroes like Daredevil and Jessica Jones as well. “Jessica Jones” and “Daredevil” are both streaming on Netflix now, with “Daredevil” season 2 and “Luke Cage” coming in 2016.
WOU.EDU/WESTERNJOURNAL
Photo courtesy of FOCUSFEATURES.COM Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell in “In Bruges”
No bright lights- sunlight will kill him. Don’t get him wet. Never feed him after midnight. After accidentally breaking the second two rules, Gremlins begin to wreak havoc on the town. It’s the perfect holiday-family-horror film. Christmas spirit, young love, and murder by microwave; who could ask for more?
10
EDITORIAL
The Journal Friday, Dec. 4, 2015
Musings from a woman on the edge By Katrina Penaflor | Managing Editor Good lord above, please put an end to these “glitter beards.” Seriously, did I ever think I would utter a sentence about glitter beards out loud? No, I never did. For those who aren’t aware, glitter beards are a new trend — a word I’m using very loosely — where men cover their beards in glitter. Maybe because I myself do not have a beard, I can’t
fully grasp the desire to douse facial hair in the cleanup disaster that are sparkly flecks of glitter, but none the less, all over social media I keep seeing it. I even spent five minutes of my life watching a video of how to properly apply the glitter. Spoiler alert: there really is no trick, just apply oil and then glitter. Now, the video was actually pretty hilarious because the guys making it were funny, but the entire time I kept thinking to myself, “The cleanup, good god it’s going to get all over the carpet!” Then I had another equally terrifying thought that I had finally turned into my mother. Something I didn’t
Continued on Back
Photo courtesy of FIRSTOPTIONONLINE.COM
Happy holidays, taxpayers Oregon corporations threaten to leave if their taxes are increased By Conner Williams | Editor-in-Chief It’s that time of the year again, time for everybody to get into the spirit of giving and show their appreciation for each other. So how do big businesses located in Oregon get into the holiday spirit? By threatening to take their corporations, and the jobs that come with them, out of state if Oregon taxpayers don’t cut them a break. Big businesses love Oregon, and we love having them here, for the most part. They create local jobs that contribute to the growth of the state economy and provide an element of prestige to our state. I mean, how cool is it that Nike’s world headquarters are right up I-5? But as much as we love having big businesses in Oregon, they love reminding us why they’re here: low taxes. According to The Tax Foundation’s 2015 State Business Tax Climate Index, which is a collection of data that shows
how well states structure their tax systems, Oregon ranked no. 12 on the list, and was ranked no. 4 in the sales tax rank category. Since Oregon has relatively low property taxes for businesses and zero sales tax that businesses are partly responsible for covering, our quaint Pacific Northwest state has become a safe haven for businesses looking to turn some large profits. So what do they do when faced with the potential for increased taxes? Threaten to leave, of course. Our Oregon, a coalition that “fights for economic and social fairness for all Oregonians,” recently introduced a potential ballot measure that would increase state funds by an estimated $2.6 billion a year, money that is purported to be designated for schools and other services. Many in favor of the potential measure say that the money generated could be used to pay off the majority of our crippling PERS debt, which is set to cost the taxpayers of Oregon billions come 2017. But there is no clear indication yet of what the funds would explicitly be used for. The tax is what is a called a gross receipts tax and would charge businesses to pay a tax rate of 2.5 percent on their Oregon sales that totaled $25 million or more. The whole point of the proposed measure is to target larger chain businesses that also conduct sales outside of Oregon, such as large grocery stores and corporations like Nike and Intel. However, the measure claims that the tax would only be on sales that are made in Oregon. The intent of the potential measure is a noble one; it
Continued on Back WOU.EDU/WESTERNJOURNAL
Share the
LOVE Polyamory myths and stigmas
By Megan Clark | Campus Life Editor Polyamory, a romantic relationship involving more than two people, gets a bad rap in most monogamous societies. Due to a social climate that favors partnerships between only two people, individuals who want to practice polyamory are often stigmatized and shamed. Like most things that branch away from the norm, polyamory is misunderstood and criticized. Polyamory is not polygamy, an important distinction to make, as polygamy often conjures up images of fundamentalist compounds on the Canadian border thronging with sister-wives. Polyamory simply means “many loves,” and involves entering into a relationship with more than one person. People remark on the morality, or lack thereof, of those involved in a polyamorous relationships, saying that it shows lack of commitment and desire for fidelity, which, of course, is untrue. Possibly due to these misconceptions, polyamory is not overly common, though polyamorous relationships are increasing in popularity. Some studies, like one done by Dr. Elisabeth Sheff, an educational consultant and the foremost academic expert on polyamory in the United States according to Psychology Today, have shown that polyamorous relationships have few negative impacts on children raised in polyamorous households. The only harms possibly lie in growing too attached to a partner that might later leave, an issue present even in monogamous relationships, and having to face the societal stigma surrounding such an arrangement. In addition to the normal issues encountered with monogamous relationships, polyamorous relationships feature many of the same ideals, such as consent, dedication, and, of course, love. Since polyamory is not based on the perceived ownership of another, it alleviates feelings of jealousy; it is understood that love is shared between multiple people. Polyamorous relationships allow for varied and greater emotional support. There are benefits to having multi-partnered relationships that can’t be realized due to the negative attention polyamory receives. This lifestyle is ultimately beneficial to those involved and harmless to everyone else, yet it is shamed and degraded because it doesn’t follow a certain set of values and norms. Polyamorous relationships aren’t for everyone, but stigmas against polyamory ultimately restrict how others conduct their personal and romantic lives. However, according to Tracy Giuliano, a psychologist at Southwestern University in Texas, “the more aware people were of polyamory, the more positive their attitudes were.” With increased familiarity and awareness comes understanding and the acceptance of healthy lifestyle choices, such as polyamory, that go against the grain.
EDITORIAL
The Journal Friday, Dec. 4, 2015
Pets are not presents
11
Illustration by CARLY FISTER
Why you should reconsider the Christmas puppy By Jenna Beresheim | News Editor
I
I have always loved animals more than people. There, I said it. Animals have always been a crucial part of my life, as I grew up on a farm constantly surrounded by them. My mother was also a dog trainer, and our dogs were always on their best behavior because of it. As can be imagined, my animal rights and welfare soap box grew exponentially once I moved to WOU. Because of animals, I volunteer at the Willamette Humane Society. Because of animals, I’m also a vegan. I am a huge advocate for being an educated member of society, even if it’s hard to swallow. Especially when it’s hard to swallow. That’s when it matters the most. Every time I volunteer at the Humane Society, it is a bittersweet experience. Upon stepping into the kennel, dogs either cower away, or rush at you to greet their sparse human contact with overwhelming glee. The volunteers work every day to train these dogs up to their best potential, and find what works best for them. When they’re gone, you miss them, but you know you have done your job well. The worst part about volunteering at the Humane Society is the small, innocent looking paper slipped into a plastic cover on the front of the kennel. These are usually adorned with stickers and lots of exclamation points, outlined in a narrative from the pet-in-question’s perspective. But these papers also tell you the animal’s age, their breed, and at the bottom, their reason of being in the shelter. Far too many times I have paused to read these papers, only to discover reasons that make my head spin. I even distinctly remember a woman coming in to give her 8 week old puppy up for adoption, saying that she had “too much energy.” Influxes happen naturally, especially around the holiday season, but not for the reason you would imagine. There are often many animals brought to the humane society that were recently purchased as presents for the holiday season, whether for a spouse, a child, or another special person. But these animals do not meet their expectations to some degree or another. Puppies grow up. They also cost an
unholy amount of money, depending on which breed you purchase and just how much trouble they get into. I have seen return reasons for puppies and kittens like “growing up” or “having too much energy,” for puppies “not being potty trained,” for dogs “that bark,” for people moving to a new place, and even for being too expensive. When you welcome a new pet into your home, you are taking on a new life. Not a toy. Not something you can be bored of within the week, and certainly not something that will understand what they did wrong when you turn them over to a shelter. Some of the most common places for animals to come from are the pet stores frequently found in malls and otherwise popular shopping places. More often than not, these puppies will boast purebred status or come from a breeder. Here is where research comes in handy. These high traffic stops also have a high risk of purchasing puppies from puppy mills. These mills focus on nothing more than the turnout of puppies to be sold for profit, and often play host to substandard conditions and an array of problems for the breeding parents. Knowing this beforehand helps the potential adopter to ask crucial questions about where the dogs are from, if the breeder is reputable - the list goes on. Again, knowledge is power. Many prospective pet owners snag the cutest thing on four legs and hightail it home with hopes of a happily ever after. Researching the breeds beforehand and finding what is suitable for you and your household will help to find that perfect fit in the long run if you do decide to bring an animal into your home. There is a wonderful series online that I cannot praise enough as a helpful, succinct research tool for pet parents needing insight. Animal Planet runs a mini-series called Pets 101, Dogs 101, and Cats 101. These videos are less than five minutes long and focus on a specific breed of pet, with all of the important details in mind. Some main points are how well the animal gets along with children, expected grooming and maintenance, and health problems common in the breed. Take a look at that series if there is ever
a question as to whether a breed will be right for your household. Although, sometimes just because you can have a pet doesn’t mean you should. I can already hear all of the college students storming down my door with angry torches and pitchforks, but it’s true. As mentioned before, pets are expensive and stressful. A few months into owning my new kitten, he decided to eat 15 jelly window cling decorations, which he delicately peeled off my window and then gobbled up. As soon as I noticed the lack of festive decorations, we were off to a 24-hour vet for a long evening worrying over his health until he came out looking smug and costing me a pretty bill to the tune of $200. College students have hectic lives and hectic schedules, meaning a puppy or kitten that needs lots of time and affection is often overlooked for partying or a full class schedule. If the student decides to go somewhere over breaks, a pet sitter needs to be found or the pet needs to be brought along. There are also many students I know that have animals but did not have the know-how or time to train them. An unruly puppy is cute to a degree, but as problems persist and the puppy grows up, it is ultimately your fault for not catching problems in advance. One random human I would like to give a shout out to is a former student here at
WOU.EDU/WESTERNJOURNAL
WOU with a 10 week old golden retriever named Copper. Being the dog enthusiast I am, I saw them walking and asked if I could pet him. She promptly replied “only if he sits nicely,” waiting until he did so that I could continue. Afterwards, she rewarded him with a treat and I walked away being absolutely impressed in someone taking the time and really working with their pet to achieve a great partnership. In the end, things slowly begin to pile up - food costs, accessories such as food dishes and toys, and vet bills for vaccinations and midnight-windowcling-mishaps. If your bank account does not have enough cushion to support life’s curveballs, let alone once owning a pet, it’s best to wait until your bank, and your schedule, are more financially stable. In the meantime, look into volunteering opportunities to get your pet fix. Not only is it a rewarding experience, but it allows you to be surrounded by puppies and kittens daily without the responsibility of handling all their needs 24/7. Even children are welcome to participate, a good option to satiate kids begging for a kitten this holiday season. The best gift to me would be walking into the Humane Society to see dogs and cats needing a second chance finally finding their forever home, rather than encouraging a society to create more homeless pets.
12 Friday, Dec. 4, 2015
TAIL-END
The Journal
Corporate threats
Musings From Page 10 think would happen so soon, but alas, it has. Maybe this trend is just another way to add to the sparkly holiday spirit? And in all honesty if this is something anyone is seriously into or is desperate to rock at their next Christmas party, I’m not knocking your taste. You do you. I’m simply typing to help organize my erratic mind full of odd thoughts. Also, I’m curious as to how long the glitter will last, especially if applied to a large beard. I’m sure men will be finding remnants until next Christmas. Maybe I just won’t get it until I dip my head in a bucket of glitter. Maybe that will be my enlightened moment, and my musings full of confusion will finally come to an end. But until then, glitter beards, you will still continue to completely baffle me.
From Page 10 charges large businesses that have seen huge profits in the state of Oregon from repeated tax breaks and leniency from taxpayers to begin to pay their fair share. Corporations holding taxpayers hostage is a despicable act that has been seen before. Think of sports franchises – billion-dollar corporations in their own right – that threaten to leave their respective cities if they do not get a new playing arena built, with the taxpayers footing the bill, of course. It is also curious that a decision like this is being put forth as a potential ballot measure instead of one that is made in the state legislature, but I suppose that legislators don’t want to upset their corporate donors that help to ensure they get reelected. It comes down to a simple question: on whom do the voters want to place the burden of our state’s financial woes? Should the taxpayers continue to vote themselves into a hole, or should big corporations that use our state as a profithaven be held accountable to pay their fair share back into the state in which their businesses thrive?
Photo courtesy of INDEPENDENT.CO.UK
Fear and Loathing Seeking a return to normalcy in the face of terrorism By Jack Armstrong | Copy Editor In the wake of the tragic events this month that shocked our world to its core, there is one question that is being asked over and over: Is it safe for me to resume my normal life? People in Paris are worried that they cannot go out and gather in public places safely anymore, people in Colorado are worried that their clinics are no longer places of healing, and people all over are worried that they are next. The message we hear from our politicians is largely unchanged from the aftermath of the September 11 attacks: be alert and aware, be safe, but above all else, be normal. Normal is what shows those people who would do us harm that we are not afraid. Normal is what terrorism seeks to disrupt, and we must respond in kind. For many, normal is simply leaving the house to go about their day, but for some of us, normal before the attack was travel, and specifically international travel. The U.S. State Department has issued a warning to all American international travelers. While these
warnings are not uncommon, they are often for singular countries that are experiencing different issues, but a worldwide alert like this is rare. The warning begins, “Current information suggests that ISIL (aka Da’esh), al-Qa’ida, Boko Haram, and other terrorist groups continue to plan terrorist attacks in multiple regions.” This is scary. But that is the point of warnings: to be scary. If you read the rest of the warning (a whopping five paragraphs), it boils down to this: terrorists exist in all parts of the world; they could be planning to strike anywhere or anytime, but all we can do is gently suggest that travelers be vigilant. Even though the whole warning is not as scary as the intro sentence might suggest, it’s still not great. The fact that we have to issue this warning at all is not a great sign for the trend of peace on earth, but nowhere in the warning does it say “stay home.” To read more on the story please visit wou.edu/westernjournal
This candidate comes with a bite Contributed by The Political Science Students of PS355: Civic Literacy and Engagement Is tuition biting you like a flea? Do you think you want to howl at what is happening in Salem and across the state? We, a group of political science students, have been meeting on improving education in Oregon and have decided to endorse a candidate for governor based on his outstanding service to the community, both man and beast alike. He stands on all fours for the following issues: •Free college tuition for all Oregon State residents •Loan forgiveness for public service in the fields of wildlife biology and canine studies •Maintaining wolves on the Endangered Species list in Oregon •Improving school nutrition through a high protein menu option, specifically red meat options on the bone •Deportation of invasive Sciuridae in all of Polk County. We hope you support our efforts, Wolfie for Governor, 2016
Wolfie was not available for comment, but you can follow him on WOU Instagram or “meat” with him at WOU events. We encourage you to learn who is running for governor and their position on issues that affect WOU students. [Search the Candidate Databases for 2016 Gubernatorial candidates at http://1.usa.gov/1m0df3a]
Photo courtesy of WOUNEWS
WOU.EDU/WESTERNJOURNAL