I n d ep en d en t
Issue no.
S t u de nt
V o ic e
o f
B o is e
S tat e
Sin ce
1933
61
April
30
2012
Volume 24
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Boise, Idaho
First issue free
Top Stories
To Draft or not to Draft
Six Broncos selected in this year’s draft.
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Homeless
Boise has plan to reduce homelessness, but is it working?
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Free Speech
Illustration Alyssa Cumpton/THE ARBITER
The controversy surrounding NDAA causes some Americans to feel as though the government is taking away their civil liberties.
Decoding NDAA Christina Marfice Journalist
People should be able to say what they want when they want.
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Section 1021
Affirmation of authority of the armed forces of the United States to detain covered persons pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force. This section gives the military authority to detain any “covered persons pending disposition under the law of war.” The section goes on to define “covered persons” as: “A person who planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored those responsible for the attacks.” “A person who was a part of or substantially supported al-Qaida, the
Taliban or associated forces that are engaged in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners, including any person who has committed a belligerent act or has directly supported such hostilities in aid of such enemy forces.” This section outlines the powers granted to the military to detain such “covered persons ... without trial until the end of the hostilities.” “What’s confusing about this part is that the government is saying it’s a myth that this bill codifies for indefinite detention,” James said. “They can say that because the bill only specifies that those suspected of ties to terrorism can be held ‘without trial until the end of hostilities.’ The ‘end of hostilities’ is being considered an end date and since there’s an end date involved, they don’t consider this kind of detainment to be indefinite.” Many Americans disagree and because this was one section that the
president stated he would not support, his signing of a bill including this provision has caused some media backlash. The usually pro-Obama New York Times published an editorial saying this provision “reinforces the impression of a fumbling presidency.”
Section 1022
This section further defines requirements for military custody and specifically addresses the bill’s applicability to United States citizens and legal aliens: “The requirement to detain a person in military custody under this section does not extend to citizens of the United States.” “The requirement to detain a person in military custody under this section does not extend to a lawful resident alien of the United States on the basis of conduct taking place within the United States, except to the extent permitted by the Constitution of the United States.” “This is another place
where the wording is just really vague,” James said. “It can be interpreted here to say that the military can’t apply any of these laws to American citizens; that they’re exempt. How a lot of people are choosing to interpret this is to say that the word ‘requirement’ is really important; the military isn’t required to detain American citizens, but they still have the option to do so under the law as it’s written.” Obama has publicly spoken against the provisions of the bill that address detainment of suspected terrorists and said he would never authorize military detention of citizens. Many wonder, however, how future leadership may interpret and use the new NDAA provisions and whether the bill violates constitutional rights. Abe Calderon, a Boise State student majoring in sociology, has followed news about NDAA’s new provisions. “I wasn’t surprised (by the new provisions),” he said. “It was surprising that it was being put into law.”
Naps, snacks and discounts for finals relief Amy Merrill
Wednesday
64º high
On Dec. 31, 2011 President Obama’s signature marked the approval of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation outlines the year’s provisions for military spending and is reauthorized each year. This year, however, two new sections have caused concern for some Americans: Sections 1021 and 1022. “The fact that I support this bill as a whole does not mean I agree with everything in it,” Obama said in a statement released shortly after the bill’s signing. “I have signed this bill despite having serious reservations with certain provisions that regulate the detention, interrogation and prosecution of suspected terrorists.” The provisions in question extend the power of the government when it comes to anyone suspected of ties to al-Qaida— even American citizens. “The bill is worded very
vaguely and it’s that lack of perfect clarity that has some people worried,” said Michael James, a military contractor living in Boise. “It’s not what the bill expressly states, it’s how it could potentially be interpreted.” James helped break down some parts of NDAA.
The weather is turning deliciously warm and the school work is becoming ferociously heightened. It must be getting close to finals week, once again. The summer temperatures pull students away from books at the climax of the semester, working as one more barrier to overcome. Some students rely on caffeine to get them by. Others use study groups and yet other groups simply plow on relentlessly, unwilling to admit defeat. Whatever the motivational factor is, sometimes it’s just not enough. When stress threatens to overwhelm, and sleep
or the sun call too loudly, there is another alternative—finals relief. According to the journal, “Sleep,” sleep deprivation of even just a single night can affect the memory. Additionally, following a night of sleep deprivation, new material is harder to learn and even more difficult to remember. Because sleep is often the first “luxury” to fall to the wayside during dead week and finals week, Wellness Works Peer Education and University Health and Recreation are coming to the rescue by sponsoring Finals Week Nap-In. A quiet and comfortable environment for naps will be provided in the Student
Union Building in the Trueblood room located on the second floor. The room will be available for 20-minute naps from May 7 to 10 and sleeping supplies will be provided. The library will be open with extended hours during dead week, Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., Friday from 7 a.m. to midnight and Saturday from 10 a.m. to midnight. Starting Sunday, May 6 the library will open at 10 a.m. and remain open 24 hours a day until May 10. Throughout dead week, a variety of services will be offered on campus to help students survive the end of another semester. Kicking off finals week
on May 6, the Boise River Café will be offering a Night Owl Breakfast at 9 p.m. The breakfast is open to anyone, but for students without a meal plan it will cost $4. Every evening at 9 p.m. “cram snacks” will be offered in the SUB dining area and in the library and at 11 p.m. free coffee or hot chocolate will be available in the library. Massages will be offered to students free of charge noon to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday of finals week in the SUB Brava Stage. For those lucky few who are done early, or who need a break from school all together, happy hour will be offered in the Games Center, giving stu-
dents discounts on pool tables and bowling. Additionally, the Rec’s outdoor program has a variety of end-of-school trips for students to get in on, including white water rafting on the Payette. A slap in the face from the icy water and an adrenaline rush could be the ideal way to kick off summer vacation. For academically inclined students, it’s essential to buckle down to get the grade—so take advantage of the finals relief benefits being offered on campus. Afterward, summer break will be that much sweeter when it’s enjoyed while savoring the taste of end-of-the-semester success. arbiteronline.com