The Slate 10-23-12

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October 23, 2012

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Volume 65 No. 7

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What’s Inside...

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Celebrating 56 years as Shippensburg University’s student-run campus newspaper.

Opinion

Chelsea Wehking / Editor-in-Chief News Colleen Bauer / News Editor William Kauffman / News Editor Opinion Samantha Noviello / Opinon Editor Ana Guenther / Asst. Opinion Editor

Obama is the best candidate, B1

Full coverage of the presidential election, A3-A7 Ship Life

Sports

A&E

Ship Life Danielle Halteman / Ship Life Editor Anna Seils / Asst. Ship Life Editor A&E Sarah Eyd / A&E Editor Matthew Kline / Asst. A&E Editor Sports Samuel Stewart / Sports Editor Nick Sentman / Asst. Sports Editor Michael Shipman / Asst. Sports Editor Web Simon Neubauer / Web Director Theresa Helwig / Asst. Web Director Email: slate.ship@gmail.com Mail: The Slate Shippensburg University CUB Box 106 1871 Old Main Drive Shippensburg, PA 17257

Current election holds the future for LGBT, C1

Three students from Europe come to SU for chance to play soccer, E4

What the celebrities are saying about the candidates, D1 Front cover by Emily MaCoy

Cara Shumaker / Managing Editor Photography Alexa Bryant / Photography Editor Jessica Weibley / Asst. Photo. Editor Graphic Design Emily MaCoy / Chief Graphic Designer PR & Circulation Christina Pooler / PR Director Joslyn Kelly / Asst. PR Director Advertising Nickolys Hinton / Ad. Director Copy Lauren Miscavage / Chief Copy Editor Lauren Cappuccio / Asst. Copy Editor Ashley Stoudnour / Asst. Copy Editor Adviser Dr. Michael W. Drager

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Breaking down the political scene to simple terms Giuseppe Macri Staff Writer

With each side saying its own thing — and at times, both saying the same thing — understanding who stands for what can be a daunting task itself, let alone using it to decide how to vote. The abundance of political information, analysis and opinion that rides in tandem with every presidential election makes “difficult to understand” an understatement.

With just more than two weeks until the general election on Nov. 6, both parties have outlined their respective agendas as specifically as we are going to see before next year when either incumbent Democratic President Barack Obama holds the office for four more years or former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney claims it for Republicans.

Though campaign platforms are not the same as specific policy agendas, the topics within can prompt a view of specific ideas, per-

sonalities and values held by each candidate. Subjects that generally receive the most attention are the economy, deficit, taxes, social programs and foreign policy.

With the country on the brink of recession, economic policy is the major player in this election.

The major facets of the Obama administration’s tax proposal for the next term include the expiration of the Bush-era tax cuts (as the name implies, a tax cut implemented during President George W. Bush’s previous term) and raising the tax rate for incomes over $200,000 ($250,000 for families) from 35 to 39.6 percent (and from 33 to 36 percent for families). Middle and lower class families would largely be unaffected.

The increase is aimed at high-yield individuals and companies who, after write-offs, deductions and loopholes, often pay an average of 15 percent.

The increase would also affect less than 10 percent of what economists consider “small businesses” — limit-

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ing their ability to expand or hire. Small businesses make up the primary driving force of the American job market.

The rate hike is part of Obama’s 10-year plan aimed at balancing the federal budget and reducing the federal deficit of more than $16 trillion.

According to the Obama campaign, the second part of the plan would reduce the deficit by $4 trillion by the final year, however the numbers do not add up — more than $800 billion in savings comes from concluding the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, and another $1 trillion in savings was already put in place last year during Congressional budget negotiations — meaning regardless of who is president next year, roughly $2 trillion is already in place.

Romney’s tax plan proposes cutting existing rates across the board by 20 percent while reducing and closing deductions and loopholes, especially among the highest income earners, to make up for the lost tax revenue.

The plan has yet to specify exactly which claim benefits would be cut, but as it stands now those numbers do not add up either. National economists agree it would add $5 trillion to the deficit, and state there are not enough existing claims and loopholes to close and make up the difference.

The Romney campaign has since said the plan does not take into account the national economic growth spurred by the tax cut, which though incalculable, they believe will make up the difference brought on by the cut.

The proposal is the biggest part of Romney’s plan to create 12 million jobs over the next four years, citing the 20 percent tax cut as a means of reducing the rates for small businesses, allowing them to create 7 million new jobs by 2016.

Another 3 million would result from independent energy manufacturing initiatives, and the last 2 million jobs from trade expansion — specifically by attacking China for stolen intellectual property rights and patents belonging to

U.S. companies. However, these numbers are not entirely accurate based on the same studies used by the Romney campaign.

The 7 million jobs number actually comes from a study spanning 10 years of tax cuts, not four, and the 3 million from energy initiatives is based on a study over the next eight years from energy policies that are already in place.

According to Moody’s Analytics, 12 million jobs in general will be created by 2016 no matter who is president.

The Obama campaign continues to endorse the American Jobs Act, a $447 billion plan put before Congress last year, as the president’s means of stimulating job growth over the next term.

The meat of the plan is the $175 billion price tag of reducing the payroll tax by another 50 percent.

Another significant portion, $140 billion, would pay for government sponsored rebuilding of roads and bridges, updating schools, hiring teachers and emergency services.

Small businesses would receive $70 billion in tax cuts in an effort to stimulate hiring, and a final $65 billion would go to an unemployment increase.

The cost of the plan is more than half the price of the controversial stimulus requested by the Obama administration in 2009, and has yet to be approved or implemented by Congress.

The policy divide between Obama and Romney is far from uncommon between Democratic and Republican presidential candidates, tracing the lines of increased government regulation and steeper high income taxes to support government programs, and conversely government deregulation and tax cuts to stimulate private economic growth.

For more information about each party’s economic, social, and foreign policy initiatives, check out The Slate’s “On the Campaign Trail ‘12” political column.

Where can you vote in Shippensburg?

All majors are welcome.

Great opportunity to gain experience and to get your work published!

Email us at slate.ship@gmail.com Art by Emily MaCoy

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Social media can influence How accurate are the presidential candidates’ the presidential election claims and promises?

Alyssa Cassidy Staff Writer

According to Nielsen reports, the average American spends about 29 hours a month on the computer and about two thirds of Americans use a social networking site. With the election coming up, these statistics could be major.

After the outcome of the last presidential election it became clear that social media truly can have an effect on Americans and their political opinions.

Social media makes it possible for users to share opinions in a matter of seconds to hundreds of people.

This time around the candidates themselves are realizing in order to reach out to the younger crowds, to stir up some political thought, they need to get their hands in the latest online trends.

The value behind using social media is simple too.

Social media is a much cheaper, influential tactic than advertising through other mediums, while the impact could be just as great.

“Obama understands that the backbone of the American Dream is innovation and entrepreneurship,” is a tweet posted by Obama’s team on Oct. 19.

During the 2008 presi-

dential campaign, Obama’s team knew the effect this medium would have on voters, and this time around it is even more important.

Romney’s team also recently tweeted, “We need to have leadership to bring people together to get the job done. I’ve done it before, and I’ll do it again.”

These are both simple examples of how easily the opinion of the opponents can reach people.

The tactic of using social media can strongly influence swing voters who have yet to decide who they want to support. The Internet makes it easy for candidates to concentrate on these voters without affecting the loyal supporters they have already ensured.

The younger generation, ages 18 to 35, rely heavily on social media as their daily news source. It is easy to pass along candidate views and one can add his or her opinion in as well.

It makes it easy for the information to come out skewed to one side and hundreds of people can read and interpret that news source. This makes it important for constant updates and posts to be shared so the opinions are constantly being shaped.

While participating in online political discussion can help shape American

voters’ opinions it does not necessarily mean it helps increase political knowledge. Sure, it is simple to respond to tweets and Facebook posts with your opinion but that does not mean the opinion is an educated one. Either way, it could still stick in any reader’s mind and subsequently affect their vote in November.

Most political content videos in the 2008 election concerning the candidates were filmed by network camera crews.

However, most of the videos on YouTube that have viewed thousands and even hundreds of thousands, of times were those uploaded by ordinary people. So what remains special about social media is that non-elite users control the distribution.

So, is it possible that the outcome of the 2012 election could be affected by social media? One would say it is definitely possible because it has been getting more and more of the younger generation involved.

Once involved, they notice how their opinion can matter and want to participate. More voters means more support to one candidate and with how popular social media is in America this can add up to a lot of voters.

James Reilley Staff Writer

As the presidential campaign enters its final weeks incumbent President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger Gov. Mitt Romney have been desperately promising, pledging and pleading in efforts to earn the young vote.

While some of their claims seem to be genuine, both sides have also presented their share of lies and half-truths.

Romney has claimed that if elected he would provide a better outlook for students. At a speech in New Hampshire in December of last year, Romney said that if elected, he would provide easier access to jobs for college students than they have experienced under the Obama administration.

“What I can promise you is this — when you get out of college, if I’m president, you’ll have a job. If President Obama is re-elected, you will not be able to get a job,” Romney said. “That’s the reason I will hopefully get young people who are in college to say, ‘You know what, I understand what it takes to get jobs in America.’”

Obama made sure to include a provision in his Affordable Care Act that allows adults to stay on their parents’ health care plans until the age of 26.

This has allowed many college students to be covered by health insurance until they conceivably get a job.

Both Obama and Romney claim they will extend the Pell Grant programs.

These are federal programs that help middle-

and lower-class families pay for college.

While these claims and promises are admirable, both candidates seem to be lacking in real ideas to bring down the sky-rocketing rise of student loan debt faced by college students across the country.

Romney has pointed to the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship he implemented while governor in Massachusetts. The program pays undergraduate tuition fees for the top 25 percent of high school students if they attend a Massachusetts public college or university as a full-time student.

“Both candidates seem to be lacking in real ideas to bring down the sky-rocketing rise of student loan debt faced by college students across the country.”

Obama plans to deal with the problem by increasing the income-based recovery plan ushered in by the Bush administration in 2009. Under Bush the IBR dictated that a maximum of 15 percent of non-discretionary income could be used to repay student loans. The IBR also allowed for total debt forgiveness after 25 years.

Obama lowered the maximum percent of non-

discretionary income to be spent on student loans to 10 percent. He also shortened the time it takes to earn total debt forgiveness to 20 years. These plans are scheduled to take effect in 2014, but Obama’s administration is trying to move the implementation to a sooner date.

Both candidates’ proposals seem to have major upside, but analysts have spotted big holes in both plans.

Jason Delisle, director of the New America Foundation’s Federal Education Budget Project, said that Romney’s plan would cause problems with its performance-based incentives.

“I’m not entirely sure that it would be a model for the country,” Delisle said in an interview with The Daily Ticker. “There’s a certain culture around these student aid programs. They are to provide open access and not necessarily direct aid to certain types of students, based on their performance.”

Delisle also released a paper criticizing Obama’s plan. In an interview with MSNBC, he explained the biggest flaw of Obama’s lowering of the IBR. “The more you borrow, the more you can have forgiven,” Delisle said. “The provision doesn’t really have any safeguard so that someone earning a substantial income wouldn’t be disqualified from getting loan forgiveness.”

As the election circles closer, college students will have to pay attention closely to both candidates.

It appears that both are capable of brilliant ideas and flawed ones.

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Presidential and local House election results could impact SU students, staff and faculty members Colleen Bauer News Editor

Not only will the upcoming presidential election have an effect on Shippensburg University students, but the local House election holds great importance as well.

Depending on who is elected in both the national and local elections, it is inevitable that everyone will be impacted in one way or another — but how will SU be affected?

One of the main effects politics will ultimately have on SU students is the cost of education. SU, as a public university, is more affordable than private universities.

This is one of the many reasons students may want to come here. However, with the results of either election, college in general could seem like a challenging feat due to high costs.

President Barack Obama stresses the importance of higher education, guaranteeing a double increase in Pell Grant dollars for students who are financially in need.

Gov. Mitt Romney’s campaign promises to refocus these Pell Grants to students who are most in need of them; however Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget proposes to reduce these grants significantly, which could really hurt students who are dependent on financial aid such as grants.

Looking at Romney’s past, he had also made huge cuts in higher education while governor of Massachusetts.

Romney also suggests that students “borrow money from [their] parents” in order to pay for college. In the current faltering economy, most parents do not

have the funds to pay their children’s way through four years at a university.

Ultimately, students who receive financial aid and grants could be severely affected by the results of this election by either not receiving as much aid, or having a higher tuition bill.

“Romney paid for his college education through money that his father had invested for him in the stock market, so I think that there will be a decrease in Pell Grants. I think that will affect who comes here and how many students are on campus,” SU sophomore Nick Sones said.

Romney has reached out to college students in the past, guaranteeing jobs to those who graduate, so to upper-class students this may be desirable.

Obama has promised more jobs in the economy since he was elected in 2008, but unemployment is still higher than most would hope.

Either way, both unemployment and the job market are important issues to look at in this election and the actual outcome cannot be determined yet.

Sones, a 20-year-old political science major, believes the election could affect SU faculty and staff’s pay rates as well, more than they already have been affected by the Corbett administration.

Another way this election could affect U.S. citizens, including college students, is through healthcare. The future of healthcare in the U.S. is an important subject that both presidential candidates have stressed in their campaigns.

For college students, they either may not be guaranteed healthcare upon graduation, or in-

Photo by Colleen Bauer

Dr. Catherine Clay helped register 1,200 SU students to vote.

stead they may be given a grace period thanks to Obamacare.

Obamacare allows individuals to be on his or her parents’ healthcare plan until age 26.

This would affect SU students directly because during the period of graduation and finding a job in the “real world,” Obamacare could allow students to still have medical insurance.

Under Romney’s watch, Obamacare would be repealed.

Although the presidential election is the one most heavily covered in the media, local elections’ importance cannot be ignored.

Catherine Clay, associate professor of history and philosophy and the adviser of SU’s student group Ship Votes, stresses the importance of the local 89th House election between current state representative Rob Kauffman (Pa.

– R) and candidate Susan Spicka (democratic).

Clay saw Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget cuts harm many students who are paying for college themselves, forcing them to work many extra hours and spend less time on school work, therefore letting their grades falter.

“You cannot learn and grow if you are spending all your time working,” Clay said.

Kauffman says he invests in those who create jobs because he is big on expanding the job market and new businesses in Pennsylvania.

Spicka also stresses the importance of creating jobs, and she focuses on education as well. She wants to keep higher education affordable to any citizen. She also feels there is a need to strengthen the public school system.

Again, the importance

Photo by Colleen Bauer

Nick Sones, political science major, is highly involved in SU’s student group Ship Votes.

of jobs is high for SU students, and the affordability of tuition is important as well for current students and the future of SU. Although politics show all of these risks toward students, many people believe college students still are not educating themselves enough on elections and their importance.

“There are students who just do not care. They do not have the time and at the end of the day they just do not want to hear it.

If you do not want to pay attention to what is going on then you really have no merit to complain when your funding is cut, or your financial aid is cut,” Sones said.

Although this is true for many young adults, Clay and Ship Votes registered about 1,200 SU students to vote this semester.

“I want students to own this election, to listen, to

make a decision and stand behind it. And then I want them to experience what happens once they vote.

And then they will know that they were a part of that,” Clay said.

The Slate is reaching out to better educate SU students on the election by hosting a student debate this Thursday, Oct. 25, with the College Democrats and College Republicans.

The debate is one of the many efforts by university groups to inform more young adults on how important their votes and education on politics are.

For more information on each presidential candidate, visit www.mittromney.com and www.barackobama.com.

For more information on the local House candidates, visit www.spicka4statehouse.com and www.repkauffman.com.

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Voting systems are not all On the campaign trail the same across the globe 2012

The president hits back — hard Giuseppe Macri

Staff Columnist

Art by Emily MaCoy

Jordan Krom Staff Writer

As there are a number of different systems of governments around the world, there are also a number of different voting systems to meet the needs of each country’s government.

Some voting, or electoral, systems are in greater use than others. Despite more than one system in common usage, people tend to be more familiar with the one used in their country.

The voting system in use in the U.S. is known as a first-past-the-post system (FPTP). It is also used in Canada, parliamentary and local government elections in the United Kingdom, Jamaica and India, to name a few.

In basic terms, the election is won by the candidate with more votes than any other candidate.

FPTP is a common electoral system. It can be used for both single and multiple member elections.

However, it does not come without its criticisms.

This particular system tends to promote two-party competition.

FPTP can also promote tactical voting, which is when voters back the candidate they normally would not to keep a certain result from happening. It can also lead to a reduction in the number of popular political parties.

This can cause the majority of legislative seats to be held by one particular party.

Another electoral system that has its faults as well as its positives is known as the two-round system, also known as runoff voting. A few countries where this system is used are Brazil, France, Chile, Portugal and Finland, namely to elect presidents. Voters cast one ballot for their chosen candidate, and one winner is selected.

However, if no candidate receives the absolute majority of votes, then all but the two candidates receiving the most votes are eliminated. This leads to a second round in voting, where the final victor is chosen through a second casting of ballots by voters.

The intention of runoff voting is to ensure that the winning candidate will have the support of the absolute majority.

The absolute majority simply requires the backing of more than half of a voting body in order to choose a winner.

While well-intentioned, this system also has a few downfalls. The two-round system is vulnerable to a specific type of tactical voting known as “push over.”

Voters will purposely back the weaker candidate in order to ensure the survival of their chosen candidate in the next round of voting.

One of the strongest criticisms for this particular system, though, is the cost.

Sending out two separate ballots for the purpose of choosing a winner in one election can be very expensive for the country hosting it.

While FPTP is the more common electoral system of the two, both it and run-off voting are known enough to have their respective supporters and critics.

Essentially, when one looks at the electoral systems used by countries around the globe, the timeworn phrase, “to each his own” certainly comes to mind.

President Barack Obama certainly was not “napping through” his second presidential debate last Tuesday night at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., but it was a rude awakening for Republican candidate Gov. Mitt Romney as he was battered on socio-economics and foreign policy — the large majority of media outlets gave the night to the president.

The town hall debate format consisted of independent, undecided voters posing questions to the candidates directly with CNN’s Candy Crowley moderating between.

Major topics included the economy, job growth, social programs, taxes and foreign policy.

Romney began by laying out a strong case concerning why the country’s economic state is not stronger than it was four years ago, pointing out unemployment’s current 7.8 percent rate — the same rate Obama inherited as he took office, plus the 2.9 percent that have dropped out of the workforce since. He went on to criticize the controversial bailouts of major banks and corporations.

“He said that by now we’d have unemployment at 5.4 percent. The difference between where it is and 5.4 percent is 9 million Americans without work. I wasn’t the one that said 5.4 percent. This was the president’s plan, didn’t get there. He said he would have by now put forward a plan to reform Medicare and Social Security because he pointed

out they’re on the road to bankruptcy. He would reform them. He’d get that done. He hasn’t even made a proposal on either one,” Romney said.

“This is a president who has not been able to do what he said he’d do. He said that he’d cut in half the deficit. He hasn’t done that either. In fact, he doubled it,” Romney said.

The former Massachusetts governor began to lose ground when the debate ventured overseas as Romney pointed out the president’s investments in China afforded him by his pension, and asked whether or not he looks at it.

“I don’t look at it but it’s not as big as yours so it doesn’t take as long,” President Obama said, referencing Romney’s vast fortune invested largely overseas.

The major blow of the night was landed when Romney attacked the Obama administration’s controversial handling of Libyan Ambassador J. Christopher Steven’s assassination. Romney accused the president of neither saying nor treating it like a terroristic attack in order to save public face during an election year.

“The day after the attack, Governor, I stood in the Rose Garden, and I told the American people and the world that we are going to find out exactly what happened, that this was an act of terror. And I also said that we’re going to hunt down those who committed this crime.

And then a few days later, I was there greeting the caskets coming into Andrews Air Force Base and grieving with the families,” Obama said.

In response, Romney said the president did not call it a terroristic attack as he claimed – to which moderator Candy Crowley responded by verifying the president’s claim via a fact check of Rose Garden speech’s transcript. The crowd of Hofstra University’s debate hall roared in the president’s favor.

The final keynote of the night came from Obama’s closing address when he referenced Romney’s controversial “47 percent” comment, citing it as a true marker of his opponent’s character.

“But I also believe that when he said behind closed doors that 47 percent of the country considers themselves victims who refuse personal responsibility — think about who he was talking about: folks on Social Security who’ve worked all their lives, veterans who’ve sacrificed for this country, students who are out there trying to, hopefully, advance their own dreams, but also this country’s dreams, soldiers who are overseas fighting for us right now, people who are working hard every day, paying payroll tax, gas taxes, but don’t make enough income. And I want to fight for them.

That’s what I’ve been doing for the last four years, because if they succeed, I believe the country succeeds,” Obama said.

The candidates will face each other one final time on Oct. 22 at Lynn University in Boca Raton, FL at 9 p.m. eastern standard time. With one victory apiece in each corner, the final debate will undoubtedly play an important role leading into November.

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Platforms of the presidential candidates theslateonline.com/news

Mitt Romney

Barack Obama

Obama plans to encourage employment and American jobs through incentives for businesses that bring jobs back to the U.S., and eliminate tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas.

Obama plans to invest more in education. During his presidency, he launched Race to the Top, spurring 46 states to raise their standards for college and career readiness. He expanded Head Start and Early Head Start programs. He capped repayments on federal student loans at 10 percent of income. Obama wants to set a goal to cut tuition growth in half over the next decade with a plan to double campus-based student aid and add incentives for schools that are successful at keeping tuition growth down. Obama also doubled funding for Pell Grants.

Obama would continue tax breaks for working families and small businesses, and wants to raise taxes on millionaires and billionaires.

Obama plans to reduce the deficit by $4 trillion by cutting taxes on the middle class; raising taxes on the wealthy; ending costly wars and investing in long-term growth in education, technology and research.

Obamacare is designed to end insurance company abuses; increase health care availability; allow young people to stay on their parents’ insurance longer and other consumer protection measures. Obamacare also helps people with Medicare save on the care they need like free preventive services and lower costs on prescription drugs and monthly premiums. It protects women from being charged more than men for health care costs and Obama is in favor of a woman’s right to choose her own health decisions.

Obama wants to continue to raise fuel efficiency standards; increase natural gas production in the US; continue to increase oil production in the U.S.; continue to increase solar and wind energy and pave the way for clean coal production in the U.S.

Obama wants to continue to strengthen alliances and work with Russia and China on common interests like sanctions against Iran, but also continue to monitor China’s trade practices. Obama has said no options are off the table in preventing Iran from becoming nuclear.

Obama plans to continue efforts for nuclear disarmament. Obama wants to cut defense spending to fund other areas. Obama kept his promise to end the war in Iraq. Both candidates look to end war in Afghanistan by 2014, based on conditions on the ground.

Jobs Education Taxes Spending Health care Energy War and foreign policy

Romney plans to remove burdensome regulations and taxes from businesses so they can start hiring in the U.S. again.

Romney wants to promote choice and alternatives in schooling by promoting incentives for states that develop quality alternatives and give parents more choice. Romney wants to reform No Child Left Behind.

He would seek to attract and reward good teachers through increased flexibility and block grants and would eliminate unnecessary certification requirements. For college, Romney encourages students to shop around and borrow money to pay for school. He wants to reform financial aid and encourage private sector participation in higher education.

Romney would make a permanent, across-the-board 20 percent cut in marginal rates. He would eliminate the Death Tax and repeal the Alternative Minimum Tax. Also, he wants to cut taxes for millionaires and billionaires and cut corporate taxes from 35 to 25 percent.

Romney plans to cut non-security discretionary spending by 5 percent across the board; cap non-security discretionary spending below 2008 levels; repeal Obamacare; privatize Amtrak; reduce subsidies for the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and The Legal Services Corporation; eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood; reduce Foreign Aid by $100 million; cut pay for federal employees and reduce federal workforce by 10 percent.

Romney promises to repeal Obamacare. Romney’s stated plan includes ideas to send block grant Medicaid and other payments to states; limit federal standards and requirements on both private insurance and Medicaid coverage and introduce a plan to eventually make Medicare similar to a voucher system. Romney has taken multiple stances on a woman’s right to choose and most recently said he is in favor of it. He has also said he would sign a bill to repeal Roe v. Wade.

Romney wants to empower states to control onshore energy development; open offshore areas for energy development; pursue a North American Energy Partnership; ensure accurate assessment of energy resources; restore transparency and fairness to permitting and regulation and facilitate private-sector-led development of new energy technologies.

Romney plans to crack down on China’s trade practices and monitor Russia’s national and nuclear power.

Romney opposed the treaty Obama signed with Russia to reduce nuclear weapons. He is also in favor of tough sanctions against Iran, and is willing to take immediate military action if deemed necessary. Romney also wants to increase defense spending to modernize the military. Romney called the decision to bring troops home from Iraq “tragic” and would have kept 30,000 troops there indefinitely. Both candidates look to end war in Afghanistan by 2014, based on conditions on the ground.

WILLIAM KAUFFMAN, News Editor

OPINION

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Stop the ignorance and learn Obama is best candidate S N choice for student voters amantha

oviello

Opinion Editor

A lot of the time, people will not say something if they do not know a lot about the topic being discussed.

I am like this with politics.

I will be the first person to say how much I dislike politics and how much I cannot get into learning about it.

But although it is not something I enjoy, as an American student in this country this year, I feel obligated to vote.

I have never been registered to vote before until a few weeks ago here at Shippensburg University.

I was surprised at how good it felt to get my voting slip in the mail, knowing I could finally cast my opinion in something as big as a presidential election.

Back to what I was saying about not knowing a lot about politics, which I do not.

I like to read and I do so frequently, but politics is definitely not something that captures my attention when reading the news or other things.

But as I said, I feel obligated to vote this term and I am looking forward to doing so.

I have learned that although something may not interest you, it may still be extremely important to your life to just man up and learn about it.

My mother is voting for Barack Obama this term.

Now, I am not a fan of “jumping on the band wagon,� so I wanted to do research for myself.

As I listened more and more to Obama’s speeches and campaigns I started to get extremely comfortable with his words and wants for our country.

And as I listened to Mitt Romney speak, I became very turned off by his beliefs; this is my own judgment.

I started to talk to my mother more about Obama and what he wants for us and what he believes in and realized it really does affect me.

As a student, Obama is the best choice for me to vote for right now.

I believe in a lot of his policies and beliefs in gay rights, being pro-choice, birth control and education.

Those four things are things I feel very strongly about, always have, always will.

He is a man of great words, wisdom and strength for this country.

But are people still ignorant to politics like I was?

Or maybe still am?

I definitely think people are intimidated to voice their opinions and views about politics just because they do not know enough about it.

I know that I feel this way and so does my assistant at the newspaper, Ana Guenther.

We both had no idea how writing an article this week was going to benefit us, because we do not know much about the topic, let alone enough to seem intellegent while writing it.

But while voicing our opinions on what is important to us, through some digging, researching and listening to both candidates, we have become less ignorant to the fact that one of these men is about to change our country in some ways.

Obama may be the best in my eyes because I did the research and listened to topics I felt strongly about

and directly affected me as a student, but if other people do not do that, they will be voting for the wrong person or not voting at all.

Nothing is worse than not voting just because you do not know enough about politics. Go on the Internet, look up their counter points

and read up; it will not kill you. You may be doing the right thing for our country if you just spend a few minutes learning about what is going on in our country.

Take it from someone ignorant of politics, it really feels better to know what is going on, rather than not being able to join a conversation or voice your own opinion about it.

I have an opinion on just about everything that goes on around me, why not have one about this, too?

Ana Guenther

19 years old and about to be 20 in a few weeks, I am Asst. Opinion Editor able to vote in the upcoming presidential election, which Up until I started college, is something I am rather I had never given education excited about. a serious thought.

In the beginning, I thought I would choose a candidate who would be best for the country as a whole.

Now, the more I think about it, I have decided I am going to be a little more selfish in my decision.

I am going to vote for the one I think would benefit me the most.

I t h i n k President Obama would do just that.

One of the main aspects of his campaign I fully support is his educational reform program.

We have to face it.

The option of college is no longer a privilege for some, but a prerequisite for all.

The world is changing. Jobs that are around today were not Photo courtesy of morguefile.com there 20 years ago, and these What I mean by this is jobs require a high level of that, I had never thought education. of the expenses that go into In order to make college the education system here affordable for all, Obama in America. has set his sights in the When the totals began to direction of the federal govadd with tuition and room ernment, states, colleges and board, I worried I would and universities to promote not receive a loan that affordability by reigning in would carry me through my college costs. first year of college.

The Obama AdministraLuckily for me, I was able tion has taken leaps in the to create a financial plan for positive direction that inmyself that would aid me volve reforming our student in paying for college. Un- aid system to become better fortunately, not everyone equipped and reliable by exis as lucky. Now that I am panding grant aid and col-

lege tax credits.

Recently, the president was able to have Congress approve a $10,000 college tax credit that would take place over four years.

To keep tuition from rising too high and to create greater value in the education system, the president will propose reforms to federal campus-based programs in order to take aid away from colleges that fail to keep tuition down.

These reforms will also benefit colleges and universities that do their fair share to keep tuition affordable, provide good value and serve students well.

These changes in federal aid to campuses will average $10 billion annually to keep tuition down.

Who would not love that?

Another point the president is trying to make is America needs to play catch-up when it comes to foreign education systems.

Obama would like to focus on math and science courses in the classroom, and add 100,000 new teaching positions.

By doing this, Obama feels this would help to ensure that America will continue to be a leader in innovation internationally.

By adding more federal aid to the education system, he would be giving more to teachers but expecting more back, saying teachers would need to be more accountable.

Obama would be the best candidate for education.

Most others who support him agree with this same statement, regardless of their age.

A strong education is what is going to help this country strive to be as strong as it once was.

They say the best place to start is at the beginning, so if a quality education is instilled early, imagine the possibilities.

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What Grinds My Gears: Undecided Voters Nick Sentman

to claim victory. The worst group of these undecided voters are the ones I like to call the “O hi don’t kno’s” The people from Ohio are just the worst.

Every state has its select undecided people that go and make the TV appearances, or flood debates to ask idiotic questions.

Yet, the Ohio people are the crème de la crème of the undecided vote.

Ohio is the main battleground state, always up for grabs on both ends with a chance to put either candidate in office.

It is the state that projects the most unemployment, and of course it has the city of Cleveland in it and we all know how hard it is to carry that stigma.

So, politicians rally to Ohio to give the state all the recognition it will ever get all year long.

I believe though that if Ohio had the chance, it would vote for another candidate just to make the other two look bad.

Ohio undecided voters are like that beautiful girl at school.

Everyone wants to get her, so they put on the charm and woo her to their side.

Then once she finally chooses, she breaks the one candidate’s heart and ends up leaving the other one with herpes. We have seen it done time and time

again. Why else would we have had Bush Jr. for two terms?

You know what grinds The easiest way to commy gears, the undecided bat these undecided voters voter. is to let them vote or not They get the most attenvote. tion during election season Do not sway them one every time, it never fails. way or the other; just let The people who have no them live with the mistake. idea who to vote for make Whoever wins the elecheadlines almost undertion outright is president, mining the ones who have and if we have no clear cut made up their minds alwinner then obviously they ready. both are horrible choices.

Yeah, I know that as a The time and money it candidate you want to sway takes to spend campaignthese people to join your ing to undecided voters cause, you need them to would aid in jobs, and it make a decision. might even help boost the At the same time though, economy. these people realize this, I mean this country was too. founded on stern principles.

They join forces to reap Our forefathers and four the benefits that the other uncles founded this land voters do not receive. knowing exactly what they All they want is publicwanted; freedom, liberty, ity and we give them that. the pursuit of happiness, America spends too much and 25 seasons of “Survitime worrying about the vor.” undecided voter and they They knew George Washlove every minute of it. ington was the man for the When election season job, and no one disagreed. gets into full swing, most The only undecided votof the people have made up ers back in those days were their minds.

Native Americans and that The Democrats are votwas just because they had ing for their man, and Fox no idea what was even goNews is voting for theirs. ing on.

We see this every year.

America has its fair share Just when we get down to of problems and we all the last few months, every know that. campaign stop has candiNo one, not even Chuck dates talking to the undeNorris can fix all of our iscided people. sues.

They are the missing So, our undecided voters puzzle piece for each party will always be around.

Always making sure to reiterate the already asked questions, to rally at events where the most news cameras are, and to take all the surveys that do not matter anymore.

These people might never truly make up their mind, at least until I run for office.

So, keep fighting the good fight undecided voters, because after all only you are the reason why our country is so indecisive in the first place.

Photo courtesy of morguefile.com

Asst. Sports Editor

Do the country a favor and do not vote

Photo courtesy of morguefile.com

Derek Robertson Guest Writer

For this presidential election, do yourself a favor and stay home.

Why not have a good drink and relax?

You deserve it.

After all, you have now broken yourself free from the mindless cult that is the ballot box.

Do you want a candidate who supports TARP, the stimulus packages, the auto bailouts, has more than $16 trillion of debt and is mindlessly ignoring the faults of the Federal Reserve system?

How about someone who is fundamentally supporting Wall Street bankers and frauds as they get showered in tainted money, has no genuine tax reform, and someone who supports the TSA crippling civil rights and is using sexual assault as a means of intimidation?

Or do you want a candidate who supports the Patriot Act, indefinite detention of American citizens, the assassination of mere suspects of terrorism without trial, refusing to close Guantanamo, extraordinary rendition and continued immoral military adventurism?

Lucky you.

It does not matter which candidate you choose; you are getting all of it.

I mean, Romney is probably a worse candidate than Obama, but who cares?

The excuse of “you have to vote for the lesser of two evils” does not cut it when both candidates are so astoundingly evil that their margin of difference is only cosmetic in nature.

Certainly, some may balk at the label of “evil” as extremist simply because our police force does not sexually assault women with rats as they do in Syria.

But, I should hope we as people who pay lip service to the ideas of liberty wish to hold ourselves to somewhat higher moral standards.

Do not bother with the people who implore you to vote third party, either. I mean, if it makes you feel better, by all means, go third party.

Ignore those who, when you speak of the evil of the two major candidates, tell you to vote third party so you “still have a voice.”

These are the same shallow fools who will not, two minutes later, tell you that voting third party is silly and is wasting your vote.

These people are vapid fools who do not have a shred of critical thinking ability.

Ignore them.

And finally, laugh openly at those who snidely deride you with, “But if you don’t vote, you have no right to complain.”

As the brilliant George Carlin so magnificently pointed out, it is actually the other way around.

You see, if someone votes for Mitt Romney or Barack Obama, then they share in the blame of everything bad that happens.

By voting for a bad candidate, you caused all the problems. I, on the other hand, who will stay home and enjoy myself, am faultless, and have every right to complain about the bad things you caused.

A friend of mine coined a wonderful maxim: “As a presidential election draws nearer, critical thinking skills decline proportionally.”

How many people do you know complain about the problems of government, yet suddenly have their faith in the system religiously restored once it comes time to do the one meaningless and ceremonial act of participation?

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OPINION

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The truth of Obamacare

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Voting Matters

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IAN PELTIER

Guest Writer When I turn on the television, I hear broadcasters and pundits talking about Obamacare which, in reality, does not exist.

Obamacare is a slang name given to the Affordable Health Care Act (AHCA) by Obama’s adversaries who are attempting to portray the law in a negative light.

The AHCA is a law enacted by President Barack Obama to address problems in health care insurance coverage.

In 2008, Barack Obama was elected the 44th president, in part, due to his campaign promise to increase health care insurance for millions of Americans who do not have it.

Although most Americans agree that our health care system is broken, the solution is very complicated and controversial.

However, President Obama created a solution, the AHCA, which will provide health insurance coverage to millions of Americans who need it.

The AHCA has many features that address the problems of the health insurance system in America.

A popular feature of AHCA is that insurance companies cannot drop customers’ coverage due to preexisting conditions.

This is a disease or illness that a person had sometime in the past or currently still has.

Examples of pre-existing conditions are cancer, heart disease and mental disorders.

Since pre-existing conditions indicate a history of illness, the insurance company assumes the person may be risky to insure and is therefore expensive.

Before AHCA, insurance companies could solve this risk by merely dropping a customer’s coverage. This was catastrophic to sick people and was a leading cause of bankruptcy. With

the AHCA, people will not lose insurance when they get sick and need it the most.

Other popular parts of the law are that children can stay on their parents’ insurance plan until they turn 26 years old, and there are no more lifetime maximums which, once reached, insurance companies would discontinue customers’ coverages.

The AHCA has many alternatives to fix a major problem with health insur-

Photo courtesy of: flickr.com ance; its affordability.

According to the White House, 30 million Americans do not have health insurance, mostly because medical insurance is very expensive.

However, the AHCA will give tax cuts to small businesses, making it more attractive to them to offer insurance to their employees.

The AHCA will also give tax credits to middle class families which will help offset the cost of health insurance.

The new law also creates insurance exchanges.

These exchanges will be competitively priced organizations where people who do not have insurance through an employer can purchase insurance.

Small businesses will

also be able to buy insurance through an exchange.

So, how will this new law be paid for? The country has a huge deficit and cannot afford to increase its debt.

However, according to the Congressional Budget Office, with health insurance reform in place, the deficit should be lowered by $210 billion over 10 years.

This is possible because the law requires that every American who can afford insurance, buy insurance.

This is the most controversial part of the law since it mandates citizens to purchase health insurance.

Since Americans love freedom, we do not like being told to purchase something.

Nonetheless, the only way to afford universal coverage is to have everyone participate in it.

With mandated coverage, insurance companies would have a broad range of customers, including young healthly people who would offset the coverage of higher risk customers.

There is a penalty of about 2.5 percent of income to anyone who refuses coverage.

With AHCA, everyone will be paying their fair share.

Obama has made a significant change in insurance coverage with the passing of the AHCA. It will bring relief to the millions of people without health insurance and is a law that Obama is very proud of.

Although his opponents use the term Obamacare in a derogatory way, Obama is honored by the term.

In August 2012, he told an audience “That’s right. I do care.”

But, to some, it comes with the high price of mandating coverage and penalizing those who do not comply.

As the years progress and the different parts of the law are enacted, Americans then can decide if the AHCA has increased the quality of life in America.

DAVID YEARWOOD Guest Writer

As Nov. 6 gets closer and closer the presidential election of 2012 could not be more important.

The United States is still, whether you agree or not, in a serious recession and around 8 percent of the population is unemployed.

It does not matter whether you are Republican, Democrat or even an independent — on Nov. 6 you need to vote.

In a world where in many countries people do not get a say in who leads their government, do not you feel a responsibility to your country to put your 2 cents into who our president is.

Over the last couple of weeks I have been talking with people at my job and to my family and friends about the election.

I try to stress how important it is to vote but to many it does not matter whether I vote or not, my vote will not even count.

That infuriates me.

You are an American citizen.

For most of you, you did not have to work to get into

this country and then fight to become a citizen through hard work and perseverance like so many immigrants in our country.

For the vast majority, your freedom was just handed to you by being born in this country.

Millions of our men and women give up their lives and go to a country thousands of miles away to fight and die for you so that you can keep your freedom and for what?

So that the one day out of every four years where you can actually make a difference, you cannot even drive to a polling station and check a box.

Another thing I have heard people say about the election is that our votes do not count the only thing that counts is the electoral votes.

True, the Electoral College is a huge part in how the president is elected.

But in the majority of cases Electoral College votes are cast based on the outcome of the popular vote.

The combination of the popular vote and the Electoral College is what decides who our president

will be. So what if there is a middle man between you and the election.

In the long run, your vote still counts and you still have a responsibility to your country to cast a vote.

Most people do not serve in the military and think it is very patriotic to support them, and do not get me wrong it is.

But how can you not serve and then just throw away one of your most basic rights that you have as an American.

Voting is an easy way for you to have some say in how this government runs, and if you just throw away that opportunity because you do not like our governmental system, then leave.

The United States is one of, if not, the freest countries in the world.

Our forefathers fought and died to build this amazing country we call home.

They created this government and the way we vote, and if you decide not to vote just because you do not agree with it I do not understand how you can call yourself an American.

Photo courtesy of: morguefile.com

OPINION

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Cast your opinion, it counts Structuring the self-image NICK

LACROCE

Guest Writer

Voter depression: For many Americans who cannot identify with either the far-right or the far-left, the call to “get out the vote” inspires this feeling.

For voting age citizens who feel caught between the ideologies of the main parties, it can be hard to find the drive to vote this election season.

Amid negative advertisements and attacks from both sides, it is easy to see why one might question the validity of any politician’s bid for election.

This feeling is cynical, yes, but it is one that many can identify with.

Advertising campaigns and non-profit organizations are flooding the airwaves with calls to vote and to have political debates, but what America needs is not voter mobilization; it is voter counseling.

Our history as a nation has been filled with great accounts of historic presidents, brilliant political maneuvers and just policies, but it also has been filled with a fair share of blunders.

The important thing however, is that none of those

blunders have ended our nation. This election is not life or death, as campaign advertisements would lead readers and viewers to believe, but instead it is about each citizen casting his/her opinion on which direction he/she would rather see the nation steered.

It is tempting, as an undecided voter, to look at a single important issue and make a choice based on how the candidates relate to it.

Gay marriage, second Amendment rights, abortion issues, and other “hot topics” tend to show up in this category, where one side describes the other in as un-American of terms as possible to get supporters riled up in anger.

As a depressed voter, choosing a candidate like this is a recipe for turning voting depression into postelection remorse.

Looking back, individual candidates, and even individual appointees like Supreme Court justices, make only incremental changes on “hot-button issues” like these, and voting on these individual topics alone can lead to regret when an elected official’s overall performance does not align with those of the electorate, except for one or two issues

that became the deciding points for the election.

“The lesser of two evils” is a phrase commonly used, even among decided voters to describe their candidate of choice.

And using that moniker, it certainly does make it seem that our country’s governing body is in dire condition, but the overall thought is spot on.

To pick the best candidate, one must take stock of his or her values, as well as goals for the country, and pick the candidate who best aligns with them overall.

This is the only way to make a truly informed voting decision.

For this illness of voter depression, the medicine is simple.

Take all that skepticism, mistrust and distaste and use it to make the most boring, educated and logical vote possible.

Take pleasure in knowing that voting with a skeptical, scientific mind, as opposed to a religiously fervent heart, is the biggest service that could be done for this country.

So walk from the voting booths this November with a smile with whichever “lesser of two supposed evils” you chose to vote for.

NICK FINIO

Staff Writer The self-image is the interpretation of one’s self; the very fabric that passes the ultimate judgment upon one’s well-being on any particular day.

Many believe their selfvalue, worth and general well-being is based on what others think of them.

Our society is made up of people, just like you and I, who over think and proceed to make judgments and decisions in our heads just because of one small misinterpretation.

Your hair is too long, your outfit is weird, the way you walk looks funny, etc. are all examples of minor comments people may make toward you; not necessarily trying to insult you, but merely to express what they are seeing when they look at you.

Now, the conventional approach to reacting to this kind of behavior from someone else would be instant insecurity.

The self-image becomes distorted and reduced to rubble over a comment or situation that happened weeks, possibly months ago from the present moment.

The general rule of thumb among students is just not caring at all about what anyone thinks — which in itself proves to be helpful — but I do not believe that ignorance is the way to rid ourselves of this feeling of unworthiness that comes along with minor remarks.

The way I see it, the best way to overcome feelings like this is to realize that, although that person did make that remark or comment toward you, the logical option is to become aware of yourself.

Realize that, ultimately, the only person who genuinely has a say of whether you are secure and confident as a person is you; no one else.

Other people may try to figure out ways of getting reactions out of you for personal benefit, but giving that reaction is what distorts the self-image to begin with.

People would have a much stronger sense of who they are if they would actually take the time to accept themselves fully for what kind of person they have become.

Once anything has been accepted — a situation, experience, person, place or

thing the control that thing has over you is completely tarnished.

Nothing more can break you down because once you have accepted the person you are and have become comfortable with your selfimage, you will soon realize how much potential really flows through your veins.

Motivation, understanding and happiness soon become your new drive to life.

People will open up to you, want to be around you and hang out with you because you are just being the best person you can be.

The only judgment that should get under your skin is your own, not anyone else’s.

I guess it is an old rule to live by, but I think the largest problem facing our society today is people not understanding and accepting themselves.

Do not be afraid of the outcome, because the only thing that is holding you back from greatness is the inability to accept who or what you have become in this lifetime.

That is just how I perceive the self-image, although many may see it in countless other ways.

Disclaimer

The opinions shared on these pages are not the opinions of The Slate, but

from the writers themselves. shipspeaks@gmail.com

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Current election holds the future for LGBT Ashley Stoudnour Asst. Copy Editor

If you have been paying attention to the presidential campaign this past year, chances are you have heard the topic of gay rights come up more than once.

It is one of the most controversial issues of the presidential elections and has been a hot topic for the Barack Obama and Mitt Romney race.

During Obama’s first four years as president, he abolished “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which was a step toward acceptance and equality of gay servicemen and women.

This past May, President Obama announced his support of gay marriage in an interview for ABC and within the month it became an official part of the Democratic platform.

Dividing the parties by huge contrast, Romney is vehemently opposed to gay marriage and supports the Defence Of Marriage Act that defines marriage as

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only between heterosexual couples.

First time voter Jacob Tout, a sophomore at Shippensburg University, recognizes the weight of his choice on Election Day. “Something is starting to happen and I want to be a part of it. I don’t want to be one of those people that say ‘Obama lost by one person.

I could have been that one person.’ I want to do my part,” said Tout.

College students make up 21 percent of the eligible voting population in the U.S. so the students of Shippensburg University have an opportunity to be a part of that percent and let their voices be heard on Nov. 6.

SU senior Stephanie Diaz is a social work major and plans on voting for the second time next month.

She recognizes the difference her vote could make.

“Chances are, you’ve come across at least one person who identifies as LGBT. It could be your best friend and the way you vote

could change their life.”

Diaz actively works with the university’s LGBT club S.A.L.E. and helps with the Women’s Center on campus.

She also plans on helping out on Election Day to entertain those waiting in line.

She encourages every Shippensburg student to go out and vote.

“I believe college students have such a big voice that they haven’t even realized yet. No matter how someone votes, they should have that chance to make a difference,” said Diaz.

With it becoming one of the most talked about issues of this upcoming election, the man elected president in November will be a deciding factor on which direction the gay rights movement goes next.

Whether you support the movement for equal rights or not, election day is going to be a big day that will decide the fate of a lot of people in this country, and every vote will matter.

Are you voting in the 2012 presidental election?

Charles Mitchell Jr. Staff Writer

Many of the students at Shippensburg University will come to polls to vote for the first time this year for the presidential election.

Students across campus have many different opinions on why they are deciding to vote during this year’s election.

Subjects students discuss include, student loans and tuitions and medical coverage, lack of jobs and the country’s economy.

Many of SU’s students have not only become interested in voting and making a difference but also can see the power and a duty of voting on Nov. 3 and having a voice.

Jerry Cooley Jr., a human communication major and senior at SU was only 17 in 2008 when Obama was elected into office and missed the cut off date during that election to vote.

Because of this, he is very interested in being a part of this year’s election.

One of Cooley’s concerns is ObamaCare. He stated

Descision 2012

Thursday, October 25 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Memorial Auditorium Join The Slate Staff during Descision 2012 for a student debate over the key issues of the presidential election and a Q&A with Susan Spicka, candidate for 89th House District

Art by Emily MaCoy

that everyone is equal and everyone should have the opportunity to help themselves and have insurance and health coverage.

“I feel like it is significant to get your voice heard and you can actually make a difference by voting and not many other countries have that opportunity to vote. There are not many countries that actually have the ability to have someone in office that you actually voted for. This event doesn’t happen every day so that also makes it very important,” Cooley said.

Crystal Coles, a human communications major at SU, is voting for Obama to have the next four years in office.

Coles said she liked the way Obama gave more details about his intentions for the country in the recent presidential debate.

Planned Parenthood and adjustment of the current Obama Healthcare are just some of her concerns.

Coles is concerned about these areas and was afraid that Mitt Romney if elected

may take those programs away.

Cole said that she knows plenty of people and family members that have benefited from different programs and will be without if Romney takes them away.

She also stated that she did not feel that Romney gave specifics in his campaign on what he would do to make things better.

When asked what she would tell someone who doesn’t think they are going to vote, Cole responded, “I would ask them why they wouldn’t vote; and remind them that this is their opportunity to be heard. You want know what is going on in your country so why not vote and let you voice be heard.”

The next president elected will also appoint at least three more seats on the Supreme Court.

It does not matter what party you prefer or what issues you have. If you do not vote you do not count.

See more from students on theslateonline.com/ ShipLife.

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Think you know Barack Obama and Mitt Romney? Think again.

Sean McClellan Staff Writer

The 2012 presidential election is rapidly approaching. For some people, this is a time to learn about each candidate’s policies and determine for whom they wish to vote.

For other people this is a chance to learn some random facts about each candidate that can help win a game of Trivial Pursuit or, at least serve as small talk topics at a party. With that, we give you fun facts about your potential president.

Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney was born on March 12, 1947, in Detroit, Mich. He is 65 years old.

Mitt Romney’s father, George Romney, was a Michigan senator.

Before he ran for president, Mitt Romney was the governor of Massachusetts, founded Bain Capital, and ran the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City where he not only prevented the Olympics from bankrupting the city (a common occurrence), but also managed to get the event to turn a profit for the city.

As a child Romney attended Cranbrook School before receiving his degree from Brigham Young University in 1971.

He later attended Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School and received both a law degree and a Master of Business Administration degree in 1975.

According to the Washington Post, Mitt Romney’s favorite snack is peanutbutter and jelly with a tall glass of chocolate milk.

Mitt Romney is an author and published the book “No Apology: The Case for American Greatness,” which made The New York Times’ best-seller list.

Romney is praised by critics and non-critics alike and is widely believed to have “won” the first presidential debate of the 2012 election.

CNN reported that the Romney campaign has raised more than $710 million, according to the Federal Election Commission. This is nearly twice as much as Sen. John McCain spent in 2008.

Mitt Romney has 6.7 million “Likes” on Facebook.

Barack Obama

Obama is 51 years old and was born on Aug. 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Before he became president, Obama was a state senator from Illinois and worked as a lawyer and law professor.

Obama attended Punahou Academy in Hawaii where he excelled both academically and athletically. The president was a member of the school’s basketball team.

Obama attended both Occidental College in Los Angeles and Columbia University in New York. He graduated in 1983 with a degree in political science.

Obama met his wife in Chicago during his years at Harvard Law School and they shared their first kiss outside of a shopping center. There is a photo of them there today.

According to CNN and the FEC, the Obama campaign has raised approximately $755 million for the 2012 Presidential Election, close to the amount he raised and spent in 2008.

Obama is an author and wrote “Dreams From My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance.” He narrated the audiobook version and received a Grammy Award for “Best Spoken Word Album.” His second book, “The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream” is a New York Times Best Seller.

Obama’s presidency has been rather difficult, as many conservative members of Congress have actively worked to block his legislation.

The Facebook page for Barack Obama has 28.4 million “Likes.”

Courtesy of Biography.com

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Ship Chat: Who are you voting for?

Name: Asia Dan Year: Sophomore Major: Undeclared Voting for: Barack Obama Reason: “I’m voting for Obama because I want to.”

Name: Alekhin Hartung Year: Freshman Major: Undeclared Voting for: Mitt Romney Reason: Hartung said Obama has not proven himself, and that there is a financial responicbility to be addressed.

Name: Moriana Cotele Name: Brianna McVey Year: Senior Year: Senior Major: Psychology Major: Elementary Voting for: Barack Obama Education Reason: Cotele said she is a citizen of Uruguay Voting for: and is applying for American Mitt Romeny citizenship. Although she cannot vote in the upcoming election, she said she Reason: would vote for Obama because she was “I am a Republican and will raised with Democratic ideals. always vote Republican.”

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Celebrities speak out on their presidential picks theslateonline.com/ae

Erin Towsen Staff Writer

As the 2012 presidential election and its turmoil rapidly approach, you cannot help but wonder what people are thinking about our candidates; especially the people who are endorsing their million dollar campaigns.

Long-time supporters of Obama, such as Jay-Z, Morgan Freeman, Spike Lee and Jerry Springer, have all made statements questioning why people would not want Obama back in office for four more years.

Freeman was one of the

first Obama supporters to write him a $1 million check to endorse his campaign.

“President Obama has done a remarkable job in historically difficult circumstances,” Freeman said.

Spike Lee commented that the best thing Romney has going for him is that “he’s not Obama.”

It is no surprise that JayZ and wife Beyonce are supporting Obama in this election.

During a CNN interview, Jay-Z commented that Obama is the better choice for the country by “leaps and bounds.”

Jay-Z explained that part of his adoration of Obama is

because he supports samesex marriage.

“You chose to love whoever you love. It’s discrimination,” Jay-Z said.

Even Bill Nye, our favorite science teacher from the 90s, is showing his support for our president.

Nye appreciates that Obama has been pushing for more education programs. On the other side of the spectrum people like Nicki Minaj, Bob Dole, Ted Nugent, Clint Eastwood and Donald Trump support Mitt Romney.

“I’m a Republican voting for Mitt Romney” Nicki Minaj says in her song on Lil Wayne’s mix tape “Dedi-

“When you’re rich, you want a Republican in office.”

-Jenna Jameson, actress

cation 4.”

Minaj also tweeted about the country’s current health care situation saying, “Just give FREE health care to all @BarackObama what can we do?”

Ted Nugent also tweeted about his support for Rom-

ney saying, “After a long heart and soul conversation with Mitt Romney today I concluded this good man will properly represent we the people and I endorsed him.”

Nugent had a long conversation with Romney before deciding to endorse him to make sure the Romney would not enact any gun law restrictions and would help to pull the reins on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Texas Tribune).

Clint Eastwood said that he is supporting Romney because he believes that the country needs a boost.

One of the most important endorsements that

Romney received was arguably the one given to him by Donald Trump.

“Mitt is tough, he’s smart, he’s sharp, he’s not going to allow bad things to continue to happen to this country that we all love. So, Gov. Romney, go out and get ‘em.

You can do it,” Trump added (ABC News).

Even Jenna Jameson, a long-time star of the entertainment industry, is supporting Romney. Jameson told CBS San Francisco that she is looking forward to having a Republican back in office.

“When you’re rich, you want a Republican in office,” Jameson said.

Entertainment profile: Presidential Candidates

This November, hot-button issues such as women’s rights, gay marriage, job outlook and the economy are influencing the vote of millions America. However, the lighter side of the candidates’ beliefs are in their choice in entertainment.

What musicians do the candidates listen to?

In an interview for Rolling Stone magazine, Mitt Romney listed some of his favorite musicians.

These included country stars Garth Brooks and Kenny Chesney, and also rock bands The Killers, The Eagles and The Beatles.

When it comes to music, President Obama described his taste in an interview with the New York Times, as “eclectic.” According to his Facebook profile this eclectic mix includes Bob Dylan, Johann Bach and The Fugees.

What are the candidates favorite books?

According to Mitt Romney’s assistant Garrett Jackson, Romney’s latest addition to his booklist is The Hunger Game trilogy.

Pres. Obama told Katie Couric in a recent interview that his favorite book is “Song of Solomon” by Toni Morrison.

Both candidates have publicly said their favorite book is The Bible.

What are the candidates favorite movies?

Mitt Romney has listed some of his favorite movies on his Facebook page.

These movies are: “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?,” “Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Star Wars” and “Henry V.” When Katie Couric asked President Obama what his favorite movie is he replied, “I’m a movie guy, I can rattle off a bunch of movies,” eventually narrowing his top two as “Casablanca” and “Lawrence of Arabia.”

What television shows do they watch?

Romney has openly discussed his love for the ’90s sitcom “Seinfeld,” even referencing the fictional character George Costanza in a Republican debate last February. On his website, Romney also lists “30 Rock” and “Modern Family” as some of his favorites.

Pres. Obama, also a “Modern Family” fan, told the Associated Press that “Boardwalk Empire” and “Homeland” were two of his favorite television shows.

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Gallery seeks student art

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Area artists and SU students are encouraged to submit works to Shippensburg Arts Programming and Education’s (SHAPE) holiday “Give the Gift of Art” exhibition.

“Give the Gift of Art” is an annual open exhibition, meaning all artists, regardless of experience or genre will have the opportunity to show and sell their work.

SU students are welcome and encouraged to apply.

The exhibition stays true to SHAPE’s mission statement by “providing opportunities for participation in the arts for all members of the community.”

The exhibition will be held in the SHAPE Gallery from Nov. 2 ­—Dec. 21; with an opening reception from 6-8 p.m. on First Friday, Nov. 2. The opening reception is open to all community members and is a no-pressure-to-purchase environment.

Artwork may be created in any medium. All forms of art including sculpture, canvas and mixed media are encouraged.

If pieces are 2-dimensional, SHAPE asks that they be framed and ready to hang with wire on the back.

SHAPE also asks that artists provide a brief autobi-

ography to accompany their work.

All works in this exhibition should be priced under $300.

Artwork can be taken at the time of sale so artists are encouraged to bring as many pieces as they wish.

There is no entry fee; however there is a 30 percent commission on every sale.

Artwork can be dropped off at the gallery on the following dates: Friday, Oct. 26 from 4-7p.m., Saturday, Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, October 28 from 2-4 p.m.

-Courtesy of SHAPE Art Gallery

Matthew Kline

and Pride would talk a bit.

He spoke about his life and how he came to this day.

Pride also talked about other experiences like recording with other artists, the writing of his autobiography and even of his experience of playing in Canada, where he was well received by crowds.

He talked about his wife and their long life together, and joked about how she made him put a song back on his set list.

With these pauses, he also joked around a lot, such as saying he’s happy to be in Hagerstown, causing a roar of laughter in the crowd.

At one point they started playing Johnny Cash’s popular song “Folsom Prison” and immediately stopped,

only to do it with other popular country songs.

For Pride’s age and the band’s age, they played with trained perfection.

The band never missed a beat, and Pride had amazing vocals. During the performance he also brought out a guitar and began to play and sing.

Toward the end, they played their last song, and the audience began to stand and clap.

Pride immediately told everyone to sit back down because he had a few more to play yet. After finishing the last few, he gave a big thank you to the crowd and closed up an amazing performance. It just goes to show when you are born to do something, it does not go away with age.

Charley Pride rocks Luhrs Asst. A&E Editor On Thursday night, Oct. 11, country music star Charley Pride rocked the H. Ric Luhrs Performance Arts Center stage. At the age of 74, he came onto the stage accompanied by booming music, flashy lights, very light fog and mesmerized the almost sold-out crowd with his still amazing voice.

At this performance, I’m certain I would not be able to tell the difference in his performing abilities now from when he was first starting his career. Opening up with an introduction from his band, Pride rushed the stage started his performance.

In between songs the band would take a break

Interested in writing articles for A&E? We are looking for writers to cover concerts, art exhibits, movies, music and more!

Email Sarah or Matt at slateae@gmail.com

Donation request for Safe Harbour

Photo by Alexa Bryant

Charley Pride singing to the crowd at Luhrs

Donations can be dropped off in the Honors office at Horton Hall or in Seaver Complex rm. 103 Contact Kayleigh Schreyer at ks8715@ship.edu or (814)418-5861 Looking for include pillows, sheets, nonperishable food items, socks, warm clothing, towels, personal hygiene products, diapers of all sizes and fans.

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Senior’s debut a success

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Sarah Eyd

A&E Editor SU Senior Lauren Cappuccio debuted her original play at Memorial Auditorium Friday Oct.19.

The two-act play “Maybe, Clara” was performed in an open reading by a cast of four SU students. Professor Paris Peet acted as stage reader.

The play is based around a college sophomore, whose birth name is Clara, but after suffering a trauma in high school changed her name to Maybe.

The first scene opens with awkward tense dialogue between Maybe (Briana Blewett) and her ex-boyfriend Brian (Daniel Lindgren), who have not seen each other in five years.

Blewett and Lindgren’s portrayal of their characters was so painful and sincere, it was hard to believe they were not actual ex-lovers.

As the play unfolds, the audience learns of Brian and Maybe’s tumultuous past and more about Brian’s unstable mental state.

Within minutes of the play it is evident that Brian is still in love with Maybe and has not accepted that their relationship ended

years ago. Their relationship came to an abrupt end after Maybe finds Brian lying on the floor near-death after a suicide attempt.

Doris (Erin Moyer), Maybe’s mother, is soon introduced. Doris is a fun-loving, witty person, and is not only Maybe’s emotional rock, but also her best friend.

Cappuccio credits her own mother, who was present in the audience, as well as her friends’ mothers as inspiration for the character Doris.

Moyer’s performance showed she was wise beyond her year.

Although in her early ’20s, Moyer’s maternal warmth made her performance as a middle-aged woman believable.

Doris’ presence gives the audience insight into Maybe’s past. Before Brian’s suicide attempt, Maybe was a fun, loving and outgoing girl. After the attempt and cutting off ties with Brian, Maybe became hardened, cautious of getting close to others and emotionless.

The play transitions from heavy and dark to light and romantic when Maybe meets Cyan (Nick Sentman), a mysterious, romantic barista at a local cafe.

Cyan and Maybe’s lighthearted dialogue consists of flirting, joking and jokes

and anectdotes about their unusual names.

Sentman and Blewett’s performance in this scene was amazingly authentic.

Their accurate portrayal of their characters, along with Cappuccio’s playful dialogue made the scene feel like a real-life first date, full of nervous giggling and smiles.

After learning more about Cyan, the audience make a connection with him, almost rooting for him and Maybe to be together.

As Cyan’s romantic, good intentions shone through, Brian’s manipulative, obsessive tendencies became more obvious.

The play comes to a pleasant ending. Brian comes to

terms with his and Maybe’s former relationship and decides to travel to find himself.

The cast and audience agreed that the play was a success.

“It was amazing,” Sentman said. “I loved bringing Lauren’s vision to life.”

The audience reacted to the play with a standing ovation. Afterward, Cappuccio and the cast opened up to the audience for a Q&A and comment session.

Although all the comments were positive, Cappuccio plans to use constructive criticism she received to tweak her play and debut a final version after she graduates.

Artwork by Lauren Cappuccio

The playbill cover for “Maybe, Clara”

Huey Lewis & The News to perform at Luhrs The H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center presents An Evening with Huey Lewis & The News, Oct. 25, 2012, at 8 p.m.

“Heart and Soul,” the title of one of their hit songs, also explains the appeal of Huey Lewis & The News.

For more than 30 years they have been making and performing music that resonates with people at their core.

They have also given their millions of worldwide fans a soundtrack for the celebration of life’s great moments.

The driving rhythm of “Heart of Rock & Roll” sings the praises of the great mu-

sic being made across the U.S. “The Power of Love,” which the band wrote for the hit film “Back To The Future”, not only went to No. 1 on the Billboard singles chart, but also was nominated for an Academy Award.

As great as their recordings are, there is something extra special about the Huey Lewis & The News live shows.

Front man Huey Lewis’ voice lends itself well to not just their hits but also to the Memphis soul tunes they covered on their most recent album, Soulsville.

Lewis brings some bluesy tones to the performance when he breaks out into his harmonica solos.

Completing the rock, rhythm and blues feel of the band’s sound are founding members Johnny Colla (saxophone, guitar and vocals), Bill Gibson (drums, percussion and vocals), and Sean Hopper (keyboards and vocals) as well as Stef Burns (guitars and vocals) and John Pierce (bass) The band member’s playing is tight, effortlessly moving from an up front, power rock song to a smooth, laid back, soulful ballad.

They walk the musical high wire, leaving their instruments behind midshow to perform some a capella selections of early rock ‘n’ roll classics, such as “Sixty Minute Man,” “Under The Boardwalk” and “It’s Alright.”

Huey Lewis & The News have a love of music that comes through in everything they do. Be it their albums, their live performances, or the way they interact with their fans, they are a band with heart and soul.

-Courtesy of H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center

Hip-Hop Happenings MellowHype’s ‘Numbers’ keeps band’s original sound Britton Kosier

Staff Columnist MellowHype is a sub group of the Los Angeles crew, Odd Future. The duo is made up by rapper Hodgy Beats and producer Left Brain.

As you can see from their name, MellowHype follows their Odd Future lead man, Tyler, the Creator, by being a walking paradox.

Sometimes mellow, other times hype. Hodgy and Left Brain pick up on “Numbers” where they left off with their 2011 release, “BlackenedWhite.”

Left Brain continues to develop the sound of MellowHype and OF with unique synthesizers and basses. Hodgy shows his versatility and maturity as a lyricist on the track “65/ Breakfast” and proves to be a perfect complimentary to Left Brain’s satanic production.

After all, the cover of the album is an upside cross and track 11 is “666.” Of course, they are part of the band Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All. MellowHype and the rest of the Wolf Gang members continue to redefine creative control with the formation of Odd Future Records.

Although “Numbers” reached the top spot on

the iTunes Rap/Hip Hop chart, it has been getting many negative reviews. To me, everything about this album is reflective of the band itself.

The continuity between these two reminds me of a Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth in terms of compatibility.

Hodgy might just be blowing his lyrics past their critics because at only 21 years old, he seems to have polished his style up since “BlackenedWhite.”

Odd Future fans will be happy to hear that rapper Earl Sweatshirt makes an appearance on the track, “P2”. Odd Future members, Frank Ocean and Mike G, make up the only other two features on “Numbers,” and Tyler, the Creator coproduced “666” with Left Brain.

The same thing responsible for many of MellowHype’s fan base may be the reason for the negative feelings toward “Numbers.”

Hodgy and Left Brain make and will continue to make the music they want to, they will not let anything step in the way of that.

Hodgy silenced the doubters of MellowHype in the intro to his song “Brain” with the line, “I won’t be quitting this spitting until I’m number one. And the funny thing is I’m only 21.”

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slateae@gmail.com October 23, 2012

The

Slate

Sports

Sam Stewart, Sports Editor Nick Sentman, Asst. Sports Editor Michael Shipman, Asst. Sports Editor Contact: slatesports@gmail.com

Oct 22, 2012

They’re here Three soccer players from SU have come from Europe to make an impact here in the States, E4

Sports

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Nick and Michael take a look at the Volleyball SU Sports sports each presidential candidate enjoys goes 2-0 on Upcoming Saturday Schedule M S

THE HOT CORNER: ELECTION EDITION

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ichael

hipman

Asst. Sports Editor

Bryan Obarowski Staff Writer

and

Football The Shippensburg Univer- Oct. 27 sity volleyball team looked vs BLOOMSBURG to continue its winning 1 p.m.

Nick Sentman Asst. Sports Editor

It is election season, and it is time for all prospective voters to get an idea for who they want in office.

This is a perfect opportunity to give people a behind-thescenes look into the character of the candidates. We thought it would be great to show people each candidate’s sports background; what they played in high school or college to who they root for now. I mean who would want a Red Sox fan in office? So, the Hot Corner will lay out the candidates’ sporting history for our special election issue.

Nick:

President Barack Obama is no stranger to playing sports. We all know the man loves his basketball because he installed a court at the White House. Obama, the former Illinois senator, is a huge Chicago sports fan.

He loves his White Sox, Bears and Bulls. Obama has even been on record reporting to Bill Simmons that he believes the Bulls will win a championship while he is in office. Every year in March, ESPN does a special “Barack-etology the President’s Picks” where Obama maps out his bracket for the NCAA basketball tournament. Being an avid basketball fan, he thoroughly enjoys getting some distraction from being president to show his love for the sport. Obama famously threw out the first pitch at a Washington Nationals game and pulled his White Sox hat out of his

home games in caps

Artwork by Emily MaCoy

jacket just to show his pride for his Chicago team.

As a kid, Obama was very athletic. He played basketball all the way through high school. In fact, as a senior at Punahou School in Hawaii in 1979, he was a part of a national championship team. Now, Obama was a role player, but he was still an integral part of the team. Known then as Barry Obama, Obama was a backup forward working his way up to the varsity team by his senior year. During college Obama really did not focus on sports, rather taking up politics instead, but he continues to shoot hoops every chance he gets. That is why Obama is such a great leader. Those who know their sports make the greatest leaders.

Michael:

It is that time of year again. Campaign signs decorate people’s front lawns, people are wearing pins on their shirts, and political advertisements are taking the television network by storm. Yes, it is time for the presidential election.

This year, Barack Obama faces a challenge from

Republican candidate Mitt Romney. It is quite a heated and sometimes controversial race. On Nov. 6, we will either still have Obama in office, or Romney will occupy the Oval Office.

But let us look at this from a sports writer’s perspective. What kind of sports did Romney play? What are his favorite teams? You never know when America might elect a New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Steelers or Duke University basketball fan.

Although Romney is not particularly athletic, he did run cross-country and track in high school.

Romney is also a diehard New England Patriots fan, but his all-time favorite sport is baseball. His favorite MLB team is the Boston Red Sox, and he is also an Indiana Pacers fan.

It does not seem as though Romney is as avid a sports fan as Obama, and that he does not have any major tieins with sports like Obama (“Barack-etology during March Madness). But I agree with Nick’s point on people who know their sports making the greatest leaders.

Interested in writing for the Sports section?

Email us: slatesports@gmail.com

ways in a Saturday afternoon doubleheader against the Cheyney University Wolves and the Shepherd University Golden Rams.

In the first match, SU faced off against the winless Wolves. CU entered the match with 21 losses and did not find much luck in Heiges Field House on Saturday.

The first set was closely contested through the first 22 points. The Raiders found themselves down in the beginning of the set, but came back to tie the Wolves at 11. SU dominated the rest of the set, winning 25-15.

SU dominated the entirety of the second set, holding Cheyney to eight points. Freshman Laura Plank and junior Samantha Edwards each had five digs after the second set.

SU carried the momentum into the third set, once again limiting Cheyney to just seven points. Plank added one more dig, leading the team with a total of six digs in the match.

Freshman Taylor Gottshall led the team with nine kills in the match.

In the second match, SU faced a much tougher test, but were still able to defeat the Golden Rams in straight sets.

Before the match, seniors Erin Flick, Andrea Heimsoth, Lauren Murphy, Jenny Pry and Rachel Smickler were honored for the Senior Celebration and all of their roles in the Raiders’ success over the past four years.

Junior Jill Edwards led the team in the second match with 16 kills.

Freshman Cristen Harris led the team with 10 digs in the second match.

SU will look to continue its winning ways Tuesday at Millersville University.

Volleyball Oct. 23 at Millersville 7 p.m.

Oct. 26 at Kutztown 7 p.m.

Field Hockey Oct. 26 PSAC Semi-final TBA West Chester, Pa. Men’s Soccer Oct. 24 at NYIT 3 p.m.

Oct. 27 vs CALIFORNIA (Pa.) 3 p.m.

Women’s Soccer Oct. 25 at Chestnut Hill 4 p.m.

Oct. 27 vs CALIFORNIA (Pa.) 5:30 p.m.

Cross Country Oct. 27 AT Go Fast River Run 2 p.m.

Lock Haven, Pa. Tennis Oct. 13 vs MOLLOY 12 p.m.

Oct. 13 vs WEST VIRGINIA STATE 4 p.m.

Champs!

Sports

slate.sports@gmail.com October 23, 2012

Spratford impresses as women’s cross-country claims fifth straight title

The No. 8 Shippensburg University women’s crosscountry team won its fifth consecutive PSAC Championship on Saturday morning from the Cooper’s Lake Campground course near Slippery Rock while senior Katie Spratford won her first individual PSAC title by using a superior kick over the final 800 meters to edge Bloomsburg University’s Vicki Davis by 10 seconds.

SU had four All-PSAC performances and had six runners finish among the Top 26 overall.

Spratford went toe-totoe with Davis in a splen-

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did race before puttingforth a dominant kick to achieve a 10-second victory. Her win came in 21:32, giving her a pace of 3:35 for each 1,000 meters.

Senior Amanda Raudabaugh impressed with an eighth-place finish in 22:43, resulting in her first career All-PSAC finish. The same could be said for junior Emma Shank, who was one place behind in 22:45.

Sophomore Heather Weiss was SU¹s fourth AllPSAC runner, finishing 20th in 23:21. Weiss ran well on a difficult course and was just 16 seconds off

A fine farewell for SU

SU overcame an emotional day to pull off the victory 5-1 over Seton Hill

her career personal record.

Sophomores Caitlin Perry and April Schlusser finished 24th and 26th respectively with times of 23:32 and 23:35.

A group of runners will race at 2 p.m. next Saturday at Lock Haven University’s course in the Go Fast River Run. In two weeks, SU will compete in the NCAA Atlantic Region Championships, also hosted at LHU. -Courtesy of SU Sports Information

Photo by Alexa Bryant

Shelby Anderson had one goal for the Raiders as they defeated Seton Hill 5-1 on Saturday. The Raiders’ championship quest begins on Friday.

Nick Sentman Asst. Sports Editor The Shippensburg University field hockey team celebrated Senior Day by beating visiting Seton Hill University 5-1 on Saturday at David See Field.

The underclassmen stepped up for SU with two goals each from juniors Bre White and Megan Jett and one from freshman Shelby Anderson. SU rode a strong second half to close out SHU and its regular season with a strong victory.

The Raiders battled through a slow start, which saw the Griffins take a 1-0 lead thanks to sophomore Ashley Reid. SHU, coming off a win against IUP,

looked strong offensively in the first half edging SU in shots 10-6, but SU was quick to stop the bleeding.

A timeout by coach Bertie Landes, with less than five minutes remaining in the first half shifted the team’s focus.

“I told them we needed to step up and put more pressure on them, we needed to play more aggressively,” Landes said. “Senior Day is always emotional.”

SU got the message and wiped away the emotions.

In the final three minutes, Jett scored both of her goals to put SU up 2-1 at the half.

“Megan was in the right place at the right time,” Landes said.

Jett gave SU a muchneeded spark when it

was down, scoring her first goals on the season.

White played another huge role for the Raiders.

Soon into the second half she scored off an assist by junior Katie Shoop. White later scored her other goal unassisted, giving SU a 4-1 advantage. White, the leading scorer on the team also accounted for the assist on Jett’s first goal.

SU finished up the scoring when Anderson smacked in the last goal on the day, making it 5-1.

The Raiders, who garnered another No.1 seed in the PSAC West, will head straight to the PSAC semifinals next Friday, Oct. 26 against the winner of the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds in the PSAC East.

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Sports

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They came from far and wide theslateonline.com/sports

SU’s Oli Templeton, Chris Black and Patrick Urmson came from across the pond for a chance to play at Shippensburg University and attain a degree

Photo by Sam Stewart

From left to right: Chris Black, Oli Templeton and Patrick Urmson

Sam Stewart

Sports Editor

When you are at a Shippensburg University men’s soccer game, the voices that are heard transcend you into middle Europe.

The accents flood the pitch, making the game feel as if it were taking place in Wembley Stadium, not an American university.

Three students, Oli Templeton, Chris Black and Patrick Urmson from SU have made their journey from Europe in search of something they have strove for — a college degree.

Hailing from Huddersfield, England; Glasgow, Scotland; and Rauma, Finland, respectively, the trio has brought a unique style to the Raiders, a style, in large part, that has helped them become so successful.

Their passion for soccer stems from various sources, but the tradition and genuine love of the game has driven them throughout their childhood into the present.

That genuine passion brought them to America for a chance to succeed on the bigger stages.

Templeton was drawn to SU after a recruiting visit from head coach Jeremy Spering — the appeal of playing soccer and getting a degree drove him to come to SU of all places.

“Coming to America, you get the professional soccer environment and the scholarship to carry on your academics,” Templeton said. “I did not come here before so I did not know what I was getting myself into but I loved it here.”

Templeton was not the only one driven here by Spering’s recruiting. Urmson and Black both came here mostly to get a degree while playing the sport they love.

“I was just trying to push for better stages and bigger soccer programs,” Urmson said. “I’m happy with my decision.”

The happiness that these three players feel toward being in the States has transcended onto the soc-

cer field where all three are having solid years. The trio has combined for 15 points, with three goals coming from Templeton, and it is looking to keep pace in their remaining two games.

Granted, the Raiders are in the midst of a disappointing season at 4-8-2, but they are still benefiting from contributions from Templeton, Black and Urmson, who have fit into the style of play that is seen in America.

“I wasn’t surprised by the style of play here, the physical style of it,” Templeton said. “It differs from the finesse style that is played back home.”

With the production these three players have made, the SU program is poised to rebound from a disappointing season. However, despite the season, the trio is living large in America and enjoying every moment that SU has to offer.

“I don’t know if it’s the college life, but I enjoy my life here,” Templeton said.

“But on the other hand, it’s great knowing that you have England to go back to.”

Sports

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No upset in store

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SU falls to the No. 6 Golden Knights, all but ending its quest for the playoffs James Reilley Staff Writer

The Shippensburg University men’s soccer team suffered a devastating 2-1 double-overtime loss to the No. 6-ranked NCAA Division II team in the country, Gannon University, on Saturday evening at David See Field.

The loss probably costs SU an opportunity to qualify for the playoffs.

In the past two seasons the team has qualified for the NCAA tournament, the first two such berths in the school’s history.

Though the Raiders did not walk out of the contest victorious many players on the team put in some of their best performances of the season.

Senior defensive-midfielder Taylor Hudson was excellent. He seemed to constantly be nicking the ball away from Gannon attackers and starting promising attacks the other way.

Austin Hill, one of SU’s senior defensemen, had a huge game, winning many aerial battles and at one point saving his squad from going down 2-0 with a phenomenal goal line clearance.

Senior Sam Talbot and sophomore Fred Lucas were nearly unstoppable down the wings and fans seemed to perpetually hold their breath when either player had the ball at his feet.

SU turned in a very classy performance, stifling GU and creating great chances.

If its finishing had been a tad sharper SU would certainly have earned a result.

As it was, GU did not create the quality or quantity of chances that the Raiders did, but it was certainly more ruthless in putting their opportunities away.

The first half ended scoreless, but it would set the tone for the contest.

From the start SU took the fight to GU, competing in the midfield and sending players forward instead of bunkering down in the face of the Golden Knights’ prolific offense.

GU’s sophomore star Robbie Bennett was hectored and harassed all game by SU’s defense.

Bennett leads the PSAC in goals, points and game-winning goals, but was a nonfactor Saturday evening.

“We just made sure to have our midfielders drop back and pick him [Bennett] up,” said SU’s head coach Jeremy Spering.

“We didn’t give him any space to get behind us.”

Hudson was critical in that effort, frustrating Bennett many times and never allowing him room to operate. With the hub of GU’s offense neutralized the Raiders felt more secure going forward to compete for possession.

Though the first half ended scoreless, SU had several great opportunities to put themselves ahead.

With little more than 20 minutes left in the half Talbot went on an anklebreaking run that left three GU defenders looking foolish. His shot was blocked but deflected out to Lucas.

His bending effort from just outside the 18 beat the goalie but struck the cross bar.

Ten minutes later Talbot had only the goalie to beat but pushed a shot wide after he was played in by a brilliant throughball from fellow SU winger Jonathan DeNicola.

The Golden Knights came out looking recharged early in the second half, earning a goal in the 51st minute via an SU turnover. The Gold-

en Knight’s Gavin Linsell collected the ball and slid a pass through to Tyler Hollingsworth who only had to poke the ball into the net.

The Raiders responded 22 minutes later as Talbot cleverly earned a penalty-kick with a great run that left a GU defender forced to make a clumsy challenge. Talbot blasted his shot from the spot into the top right corner.

Both teams traded chances as the end of regulation neared. SU’s sophomore midfielder Chris Black came closest to putting his side ahead after drilling a 25-yard shot past the keeper and barely over the crossbar.

In the first overtime, GU had two great looks at goal stopped by SU senior goalkeeper Andrew Foran.

Both Jonathan Simmons and Bennett had open shots inside the 18 but both shot right at Foran who controlled their efforts easily.

The game-winning goal came little more than three minutes into the second overtime.

The Golden Knights’ Gavin Linsell clipped a beautiful pass to the left side of the box.

GU senior midfielder Sean Washek received the ball at a poor angle but somehow chipped the ball over Foran and into the side-netting.

With the loss the Raiders move to 4-9-2 while the Golden Knights improve to 13-2.

After the game, Spering said that the game would be one to build on next year.

“We have to make sure that guys who are returning just keep building on this for the future,” Spering said. “But it really sucks for the guys that aren’t coming back.”

SU travels to New York Institute of Technology on Wednesday.

Photo by Ryan Trexler

Sam Talbot works against a Golden Knight defender. Talbot had a solid performance on Saturday, but the Raiders ultimately fell, 2-1.

Sports

E6

slate.sports@gmail.com October 23, 2012

Raiders win comeback thriller, 42-24 theslateonline.com/sports

The win sets up a clash with Bloomsburg for the PSAC East title on Saturday Sam Stewart

Sports Editor Zach Zulli read the coverage wrong and threw an ill-fated pass that was sure to have him hearing an ear-full when he reached the sidelines.

However, somehow it was not intercepted.

The ball ricocheted off of cornerback John O’Donnell’s hands, into the air, and into the hands of Trevor Harman for the touchdown.

It has been one of those years for the Shippensburg University football team — a year in which destiny seems to be on its side as the Raiders overcame a 21-point deficit in the first quarter to capture a 42-24 victory and spoil the West Chester University Golden Rams’ Homecoming weekend.

The comeback kids, who have not had their backs against the wall since a halftime deficit against Shepherd University in Week 1, showed the resilience that has made them 8-0 on the season — recording their 12th consecutive win dating back to last season.

“It’s [SU] a team that believes in each other, and they play that way,” coach Mark Maciejewski said.

“Our guys, hung in there and they never gave up.”

It is a win that will boost momentum heading into

the PSAC clash against Bloomsburg University — where the winner will take home the PSAC East crown.

Maciejewski’s Raider squad could have given up after a dismal first quarter.

A Rondell White scamper from 17 yards, and a Mike Mattei 77-yard touchdown pass just three minutes later catapulted the Golden Rams to a 14-point lead only eight minutes into the game.

It only got worse for the Raiders that half as the Golden Rams capitalized on a missed field goal by Michael Lloyd from 39 yards out. A 42-yard pass from Mattei to Jim Kelly vaulted WCU to a 21-0 lead. It was a lead that seemed insurmountable to the 6,000 plus fans that packed into John A. Farrell stadium.

But for this Raider team, it was just the time to show how resilient they have become.

The Raiders exploded at the end of the first half as Zulli found Trevor Harman for two scores and Jacob Baskerville for another. The Raiders outscored WCU 21-3 during that 14-minute stretch, but were still trailing by three heading into the half.

In the face of a deficit, the Raider defense took over the second half.

The Raider defense, led by leading tackler Cody Fleming (13), caused four

turnovers, including a 77-yard interception return by Tyriq Kershaw.

However, its game-changing performance occurred early in the third quarter.

After an SU three-andout, WCU’s White broke off a 64-yard run that put the Golden Rams in prime position to add to their lead.

However, on four consecutive plays, the defense stood tall and kept the Golden Rams out of the end zone. It was the last time WCU came close.

Chris Lawshe ran for the go-ahead score early in the fourth quarter and after Zulli’s touchdown pass to Harman, the game was put away. SU tacked on another score late in the game to seal the deal 42-24.

Zulli, despite the slow start, finished the game 29-49 for 342 yards and five touchdowns.

Baskerville added to his impressive stat sheet with 139 yards on nine receptions and one touchdown.

SU hosts the Huskies next Saturday at 1 p.m.

Fans are encouraged to wear red for the “Red Out.” The Huskies are currently ranked No. 4 in Division II and will be the toughest test the Raiders have faced all season.

The Red Sea is planning to hold a pep rally on Friday night in preparation for the game.

Photo by Sam Stewart

SU’s Brian Sourber wraps up WCU’s Jim Kelly. The Raider defense had one of its best performances of the season in the win on Saturday.

“Thursday Night Football With Coach Mac” Thursday, Oct. 25 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Knute’s Pub and Grill

Photo by Sam Stewart

SU’s Trevor Harman shakes off a would-be-tackler as he heads into the end zone. The score put SU up by two scores late in the game.

Sports

slate.sports@gmail.com October 23, 2012

E7

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Quidditch goes 0-3 in tourney Valiant effort comes up short James Reilley Staff Writer

Photo by Lauren Cappuccio

The teams at the Quidditch tournament after its slate of games.

Lauren Cappuccio Asst. Copy Editor

Despite a strong effort

by Shippensburg’s quidditch team, The Warlocks went 0-3 in a six-match, four-school tournament, hosted at Kutztown University on Saturday.

Teams from Shippensburg, Kutztown, Lock Haven and Salisbury all competed in the Whomping Willow Warfare Tournament, which lasted several hours and featured some highly competitive players from all sides.

SU’s first match was against Lock Haven. The game started off with several fast scores from Lock Haven, resulting in an early 0-30 lead. The Warlocks were unable to hold off Lock Haven’s defense for three

more goals. After a grueling match resulting in some injuries for SU, SU seeker James Holliday was able to catch the snitch, scoring 30 points, but not enough for SU to win the game.

The end score was 60-30.

SU’s second match was against Salisbury. The opposing team scored three goals on SU before Holliday was able to catch the snitch, ending the match tied at 3030. In overtime, both teams scored their respective goals before Salisbury’s seeker outfoxed Holliday, resulting in a final score of 70-40.

The third and last match was against the hosts of the tournament, Kutztown. These teams were evenly matched and scored their first goals consecutively. Kutztown pulled away, scoring four more goals before Holliday

caught the snitch, resulting in a final score of 50-40.

The victor of the tournament was Salisbury, which went 3-0. In second, was LHU with 2-1, then KU in third with 1-2 and then Shippensburg last with 0-3.

Despite the loss, the team is optimistic about its next event next weekend, when they will be participating in The Brotherly Love Cup in Philadelphia. The tournament will feature teams including but not limited to KU, LHU, Salisbury University, Hoffstra University, Villanova University, Chestnut Hill College, Ithaca College, Stony Brook University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of New Haven, University of Pennsylvania and others.

Games start at approximately 9:30 am and last until 6 :00 pm.

Key Quidditch Concepts

Chaser — There are three on the field at all times. Their goal is to take the quaffle, a volleyball, and throw it through one of the three hoops at the end of the field. Scoring is worth 10 points.

Beater — There are two on the field at all times. Their goal is to take the bludgers, dodge balls, and attempt to hit members of the other team.

Keeper — The player who protects the three goal hoops at the ends of both sides.

Seeker — ­ This player’s job is to catch the snitch.

Snitch — In this version, the snitch is a runner, usually wearing all gold or variations of the color. They are allowed to run on the field and even in the surrounding area. They have a tennis ball they carry that must be stolen by the seeker. Catching this is worth 30 points and immediately ends the match.

The Shippensburg University women’s soccer team lost a hard fought 2-1 game to Gannon University at David See Field on Saturday afternoon.

The game was SU’s senior day. The team honored its five seniors before the game, presenting the players with flowers and framed jerseys.

SU started the game looking unfocused and nervous.

GU only needed five minutes to net twice.

The Golden Knights’ first goal came off a corner kick.

GU’s Jordan Rickan slipped her marker and headed home Mani Brueckner’s swinging cross less than two minutes into the contest.

Three minutes later, SU senior goalkeeper Samantha Wood misplayed Michelle Gentin’s cross and GU’s Sidney Morgan found herself in space with an open net in front of her. She tapped home her shot to put the Golden Knights up 2-0.

The Raiders pulled themselves together almost immediately. Senior rightwinger Katie Leverentz looked dangerous all game and nearly set fellow senior Rhonda Runion up for a goal 10 minutes into the first half.

Leverentz beat her defender down the right side of the field, started to dribble in, then played Runion a beautiful pass well-inside

the 18-yard box. Runion had time to take a touch and had plenty of space for a shot. She might have done better with the finish but her high hard blast still proved to be a difficult save for GU’s keeper.

After that chance, the Raiders started to take control of the game, winning the midfield battle and coming close to scoring on several set-pieces. The game’s momentum really turned for the Raiders with five minutes left in the first half when one of GU’s scorers Jordan Rickan was given a red-card for arguing with the referee.

Now with a player advantage, SU really began to boss proceedings. Unlucky not to score on several chances at the end of the half, SU finally opened its account with a nice finish from senior Cassie Armold off a corner hardly a minute into the second half.

Armold was the Raiders’ best player on the day.

Along with her goal, she made several great tackles in dangerous positions on the right side of the field.

It proved nearly impossible for GU attackers to get by her and she was always a threat, moving the ball forward from the right back position.

After the goal, SU only upped the pressure, outshooting the Golden Knights 8-4 in the second half.

As the ball was mostly in GU’s end of the field during the second half, their

defenders began to clear indiscriminately, often blasting the ball out of bounds.

Against most teams this would offer the defense a chance to collect itself and reorganize, but not against the Raiders.

SU’s Meghan Mahon is capable of doing a fronthandspring throw-in — a skill very few players are capable of. It generates much more loft and distance on throws. As a result, any Raider throw-ins from the final third of the field were equivalent to corner kicks.

The Raiders could not make any of these long throw-ins count; however, GU was able to match up and win a lot of the aerial battles.

SU’s best chance to equalize came with less than two minutes left in the game.

SU’s Kylee Bricker had a deflection dribble out to her a few yards outside the 18.

She blasted a strike that left Brinkman gazing hopelessly behind her as the shot went just inches high, scraping the cross bar as it passed.

After the game, SU head coach Rob Fulton said that there were some positives to take away from the game for his squad.

“We asked them to compete, work hard and be strong in one on one battles,” Fulton said. “They certainly did that today.”

SU travels to Chestnut Hill College on Thursday for a non-conference clash.

The Raiders return home on Saturday to face Cal (Pa.).

Photo by Alexa Bryant

Rhonda Runion is taken out by a Golden Knight defender on Saturday.

E8

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