University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Madison, UW brace for voter ID mandate By Andrew Hahn THE DAILY CARDINAL
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Badger Catholic panelists discuss their faith-based beliefs.
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AHA representatives debate faith’s relation to reason.
University religious groups debate faith By Dana Kampa THE DAILY CARDINAL
The University of WisconsinMadison Badger Catholics debated fundamental religious issues with the Atheists, Humanists, & Agnostics Tuesday evening at Memorial Union. The four topics included universal morality, abortion law, the use of “Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance and whether reason and faith are compatible. Kevin Mauer, a Badger Catholic pastoral intern, defended universal morality and said people’s understanding is limited in scope but progressing in morality over time. Chris Calvey, AHA co-volunteer chair, said he does not believe universal standards exist, but added humans desire a standard and that religion provides “comfort.” “Every religion disagrees in fundamental ways … how are we to know which one is the correct source to appeal to for a sense of
universal morality?” Calvey asked. Progressing to the question of abortion laws, Margaret Babe, AHA outreach chair, addressed illegal “back alley” abortions and mother mortality, saying statistically one in three women will have an abortion in their lifetime. “Abortions will happen no matter what,” Babe said. “The only differing factor is whether or not women die.” Badger Catholic panelist Rachel Schumacher, the Students for Life vice president, said she believes abortion perpetuates sexism and supports laws about a woman’s right to know and waiting periods. “Telling women [childbearing] is a weakness is telling her she needs to be made like a man,” Schumacher said. Discussing the Pledge of Allegiance, Caroline Klinker, Badger Catholic peer mentor
The University of WisconsinMadison announced it will begin printing student IDs acceptable for voting for students who request them on Monday, according to an email from university spokesperson Kari Knutson. Fifty-two days before the Nov. 4 statewide election, Wisconsin voters learned they would be required to show a valid photo ID at the polls to receive a ballot after a federal appeals court acted Friday to end the injunction a lower court placed on Wisconsin’s 2011 voter ID law in April. The law requires several
characteristics for IDs that UW-Madison Wiscards lack, leaving many out-of-state students without sufficient identification. Members of the Associated Students of Madison met with UW-Madison officials to address the issue, prompting Tuesday’s announcement. After meeting with members of the ASM, UW-Madison officials announced Tuesday they would begin printing new IDs acceptable for voting to alleviate the problem, Knutson confirmed. The new IDs must include the student’s signature and expire within two years to be valid for voting under the law.
More information about obtaining voter IDs will be available early next week, Knutson said. Friday’s decision raised logistical questions for Wisconsin’s Government Accountability Board, the state agency responsible for overseeing elections. Director Kevin Kennedy said his agency will work tirelessly to implement the law before the November elections. Kennedy added he did not anticipate decreased voter turnout across the state as a result of the law but said the provision would require more
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Common Council, community opinions vary on Williamson Street project By Irene Burski THE DAILY CARDINAL
Madison’s Common Council upheld the Plan Commission’s decision to approve the Williamson Street development project Tuesday, after lengthy and at times confused discussion from community members and alders alike. Ald. Marsha Rummel, District 6, had appealed the Plan Commission decision to approve the development project in July, bringing it before the Council for possible overturning, citing that the existing proposals did not meet community standards. The development project is located on the 700 block of Williamson Street, and while most residents fear the planned six-story building will “com-
promise the invaluable historic districts in the Marquette neighborhood,” according to community member Peter Wolf, there are some who favor the expansion, having been in on the development of the earlier plans. Following public testimony, Alders went back and forth on whether or not to overturn or uphold the Plan Commission’s decision, or even modify the density building that night, with a motion to downsize the building introduced and then failing to pass. “I’ve not sat here for this long and listened to the alders be so confused,” Ald. Denise DeMarb, District 16, said. Similar to community members opposed to the project, alders worried that the develop-
ment project did not meet the desires of the neighborhood. “Williamson Street has evolved into an extremely popular place because of its funky atmosphere, variety of businesses and some charming houses,” Ald. Anita Weier, District 18, said. “This development would threaten Williamson Street’s success. We must stop ignoring neighborhoods to gain more cookie-cutter high rise apartments.” Other alders felt that the opposition to the project was unfounded and unnecessarily controlling of project details. “There’s never a perfect project, but this project does meet the standards. I would urge you very strongly to reject
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Car hits bicyclist on University Avenue A bicyclist on University Avenue at North Randall Avenue suffered a concussion after a car hit him Monday, according to a Madison Police Department incident report. The bicyclist, 22, was in a bike lane and had a green light to proceed through the intersection, according to the report. Meanwhile, a Madison man, 38, was turning his Jeep from
University Avenue onto North Randall Avenue. The driver did not activate the turn signal in the process, Public Information Officer Joel DeSpain said in the release. In the course of the collision the bicyclist went over the hood of the Jeep, shattering the windshield, the report says. The driver was cited for failure to yield at an intersection, causing injury.
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Madison Mayor Paul Soglin and the city’s Common Council debated the development project. The planned building is set for the 700 block of Williamson Street.
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“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”