February 15 2008

Youth vote still matters Opinions page 5

What’s in your pocket?

Features pages 8-9

Vagina Monologues A & E pages 10

Swim team finishes season strong Sports page 16

Volume 96 | Issue 10

february 15, 2008

ASUPS photo services/nick kiest

Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton spoke in a town hall meeting on “Health Care Solutions for All” in the university’s Memorial Fieldhouse last Friday.

“Health care is coming back” Presidential hopeful visits campus, speaks about health care in preparation for caucus

By Jessica Bruce jbruce@ups.edu News Editor

finalized Thursday afternoon, Tacoma about using the Field- id, and it was not until 5 p.m. and the campus was notified house as a venue. on Thursday that the rental via e-mail of Clinton’s arrival.

“We quickly learned that arrangement was solidified,” The event was not sponsored campaign planning is very flu- Mondou said. “When men’s by the university; basketball pracUPS held a moment in the Clinton’s camtice concluded national spotlight last week as paign rented the at 8 p.m., facilDemocratic presidential can- Fieldhouse. ity preparations didate, Hillary Clinton, held a The decision began.” town-hall style meeting called to host ClinBy 8 a.m.

“Health Care Solutions for All” ton’s visit came on Friday, sevin Memorial Fieldhouse Feb. 8 last-minute, aferal hundred in anticipation of the Wash- ter Clinton and people stood in ington state caucus Feb. 9. chief rival Barack line in front of Addressing a crowd that Obama remained the Fieldhouse, consisted largely of registered in a dead heat waiting in a nurses, Clinton proclaimed following votes light rain for the her commitment to provid- on Super Tuesdoors to open. ing universal access to health day. Rumors that By the time the care “from day one” of her former presidoors opened presidency. She also stated her dent Bill Clinton shortly after 10 commitment to environmen- might appear on a.m., the line tal protection, mentioning the campus circuwrapped around Puget Sound. lated Wednesday the entire block ASUPS photo services/nick kiest and “We can’t do it until we get night.

Obama beyond. the two oil men out of the spoke in Seattle Washington State Caucus Results Around 5,000 White House,” Clinton said, to on Friday at 11 people, includtremendous applause. a.m. ing students, Candidates Votes % Delegates Clinton also said she had spoAccording to faculty, staff ken to many college students Vice President Democrats and community Obama 21,629 68% 35 about educational costs and for Finance and members, atClinton 9,992 31% 15 that college education needed Administration tended the event, to be made more affordable.

Sherry Mondou, nearly filling the Republicans Clinton, who was a student the University Fieldhouse to McCain 3,468 26% of former UPS President Phil was approached capacity.

Huckabee 3,226 24% Phibbs while at Wellesley Col- W e d n e s d a y “The camPaul 2,799 21% lege, said she had “heard so morning by a paign deterRomney 2,253 16% many great things about this member of the mined the set campus over the years.”

Executive Counup and brought Source: CNN.com in its own stagPlans for Clinton’s visit were cil for a Greater

es, sound system, lighting and signage,” Mondou said. “One thing that was less typical about this event was the lack of lead time. The small number of staff who helped prepare the Fieldhouse had to mobilize quickly and worked very hard under a tight time frame.”

The event, scheduled for 10 a.m., was delayed as Secret Service personnel swept the Fieldhouse. Security Services assisted the Secret Service and Tacoma Police in putting together a security plan for the event, and Tacoma fire marshals monitored the event for safety.

Hillary’s arrival at the Fieldhouse was announced at 11 a.m. The crowd’s mood prior to her entrance was somewhat somber. A few bursts of school cheers from the audience livened the crowd prior to Clinton’s arrival at the podium.

The rest of campus was noticeably quiet Friday morning, and many professors taught to near-empty classes.

French instructor Steve Rodgers cancelled his Friday morning class so that students could attend the Clinton or Obama speeches.

“It is relatively rare that peo-

See CLINTON page 3

News

February 15, 2008

2

The Trail

Nowhere but up for ‘08-‘09 tuition cost

President and Board of Trustees yet to approve $42,735 price tag, financial aid also on the rise

By Courtney Kandler ckandler@ups.edu News Writer

The amount of money pooled for financial aid will undergo a 9.28 percent increase to an already average 33.18 percent student aid. However, these A 6.56 percent increase in numbers are tentative, as they gross tuition and a 5.99 percent depend on the President’s and increase in Room and Board Board of Trustees’ final aprates will increase students’ proval of the Budget Task annual fees to a grand total Force’s (BTF) report. Moreof $42,735, compared to the over, it depends on whether the 2007- 2008 cost of $40,160.

University reaches its 2,624 Although tuition will in- student enrollment goal for crease, financial aid is recom- the next year. If enrollment is mended to rise proportionately. not achieved, tuition increases

could be even higher.

Simply put, tuition dollars provide campus organizations, programs and facilities with the means to improve. One of UPS’ For more information...

For more information on university costs, financing, and financial aid, visit: www.ups.edu/documents/ MoneyMatters.pdf

main concerns is the competition with other universities for student enrollment. In order to keep up with comparable universities, the University has to build prestige, which is achieved by having quality faculty, a low student to faculty ratio, a well-funded study abroad program and state-of-the art facilities.

The BTF is responsible for recommending how to spend the University’s money. School organizations and departments

present their requests, and the BTF deliberates as to how the funds are allocated. The process involves input from the entire UPS community, including the students, staff and faculty.

“Most other institutions leave the job of determining budget requirements to the Vice-President of Finance or the President’s Cabinet, quite unlike Puget Sound’s process,”

see TUITION page 3

Objections Aslan says: “Cosmic War” can’t be won to last graduation speaker weigh on decision

religion and violence. Religion provides the common ground and the symbols to share (creating “us”), and violence further separates “them” from “us.”

Aslan further examined the effects of this approach: “Dividing the world, partitioning the universe, demonizes the other.

‘If you’re not us, you’re them. If you’re them, you’re evil.’”

When what is at stake in the battle is the soul or the existential self, the war becomes unlosable and un-winnable.

“How do you lose a war like that? How do you comproBy Brad Rice mise, surrender, or negotiate?” bkrice@ups.edu Aslan asked. “A cosmic war is News Writer an internal war. It never ends.

A cosmic war is un-winnable.”

The Faculty Senate will hold It is pointless and dangerous a confidential meeting on Feb. to try to win a metaphysical 18 to discuss what would norcontest with physical means, mally attract little attention but Al-Qaeda’s attacks on 9/11 from the university commuprompted America to begin a nity. That was before a con“War on Terror” that attempts troversial decision concerning just that. the nomination of an honorary “We have taken on the chalASUPS photo services/matt loewen degree was debated in a similar lenge of the Jihadists and have Religious scholar Reza Aslan spoke about issues concerning America and the “War on Terror.” meeting just one year ago. decided to enter this war with The controversy arose when them,” Aslan said. “Jihadism is but Aslan pointed out that it Aslan stated, is a war on a par- an idea. You can’t defeat an idea some faculty took issue with a laden with religious rheto- ticular kind of terror. Since by shooting at it.” particular nominee and evenThe Trail is pleased to publish is ric as well. Though America its beginning after 9/11, the tual recipient of an honorary America must strip the war this article , selected as the touts “separation of church and “War on Terror” has not been of its religious connotations. degree, Sheila Evans Widnall, state,” it is viewed in other parts against all kinds of terror, but Prompting audience laughter, because of her association with winner of English 408’s of the world as a Christian na- has focused on terrorist crimes Aslan declared, “We are not the military. Widnall, a native writing competition. tion. committed by Islamic entities going to out-fanaticize these Tacoman, is a graduate and To introduce this idea and that work against America’s fanatics.” The only way to faculty member of the Massabegin his talk, Aslan told the interests. The government has win the cosmic war, proposed chusetts Institute of Technolaudience about a conversation constructed a “single, unified, Aslan, is to realize its futility ogy and prominent aerospace By Amber Short he had with a group of young monolithic enemy” that can be and refuse to fight in it. space engineer. She is well ashort@ups.edu strangers in Iran. When he engaged in a war with an “us or known for being both the first Aslan is the Middle East told the Iranians that he was them” mentality. woman to chair the faculty at Guest Writer analyst of CBS News, a regufrom America, a young woman According to Aslan, the lar commentator for National MIT as well as being the first On Jan. 31, internationally in the group very thoughtfully “us or them” mentality is the Public Radio’s Marketplace, woman to head a branch of the military by serving as secretary acclaimed writer and religion and earnestly asked him what crux of a cosmic war. A cos- and the author of No God but of the Air Force from 1993 to scholar Reza Aslan spoke in it was like to live in a theoc- mic war, in Aslan’s terms, is a God: The Origins, Evolution, Schneebeck Concert Hall on racy. metaphysical contest between and Future of Islam. In addition 1997.

“The fact that an Iranian, liv- “angels of light” and “demons to writing for major newspaAcademic Vice President “Winning a Cosmic War: and Committee On Honorary Why We’re Losing the War ing in the only nation in the of darkness.” Those who view pers like The New York Times, Degrees member Kristine Bar- on Terror” as part of the Swope world where the religious au- themselves as “us” consider Los Angeles Times, The Bostanen recalled the controversy. Endowed Lectureship on Eth- thorities are also the political themselves defenders of good ton Globe, The Washington “Dr. Widnall was honored for ics, Religion, Faith, and Values. authorities, would in all hon- who must battle against “them” Post, and Chicago Tribune, he her contributions as a scientist, The focus of Aslan’s speech was esty, in all earnestness, think because they embody evil. This has also appeared on televiand as the first woman to chair the religious underpinnings of that America had become is not a war about material sion shows such as “Meet the the MIT faculty and to serve the political and military con- theocratic, that’s pretty much matters; what is really at stake Press,” “Hardball,” “The Daily as secretary of the Air Force,” flict between the United States everything you need to know is the favor of God. Show, ““Real Time with Bill about the state of America’s At its heart, the battle is one Maher,” “The Colbert Report, Bartanen said. “Some on cam- and the Middle East.

The “War on Terror” has image in the Muslim world,” over identity. Aslan said that “ANDERSON COOPER been politically divisive issue said Aslan. the two most profound ways of 360,” and “Nightline.” • See DEGREE page 3 in theaUnited States since 9/11, America’s “War on Terror,” creating identity are through

The Puget Sound Trail Chelsea Taylor Mark Delbrueck Lauren Shatz Jessica Bruce Kapiolani Street Lauren Foster Cara Munson

Editor in Chief Managing Editor Business Manager News Editor

Assistant News Editor

Asst. Opinions Editor Opinions Editor

1095 Wheelock Student Center Tacoma, WA 98416-1095 (253) 879.3197 | Fax (253) 879.3661

trail@ups.edu thetrailnewspaper.com trailads@ups.edu

Kim Dill-McFarland Features Editor Katie Breen Features Editor Merissa Moeller A&E Editor Lauren Mouat Assistant A&E Editor Travis Hancock Combat Zone Editor Vince Ghiringhelli Co-Sports Editor Tom Glassman Co-Sports Editor

Nick Kiest GM Photo Services, Photo Editor ••• David Droge Faculty Advisor

News

February 15, 2008

The Trail

Degree

pus were unhappy that a person with connections to the U.S. military would be awarded an honorary degree, given substantial dissatisfaction with the war in Iraq.”

Bartanen emphasized that dissent is not discouraged in the selection process and that there is a lengthy and well-defined process to which all nominated candidates must submit.

According to the Policy and Procedure for the Granting of Honorary Degrees, all nominations for possible candidates, submitted by any member of the University Community, must be submitted in writing to the office of the President, who then presents these nominations to the Committee on Honorary Degrees. The Committee consists of two members from the faculty, trustees and alumni, two students appointed by the ASUPS president, and the Dean of the University.

The Committee makes recommendations on the candidates to the Faculty Senate, who in turn, makes their recommendations to the President. The President presents the previous nominations along with his or her own personal recommendations to the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees.

Their elections on the nominees ultimately decide those who will be offered honorary degrees by the University.

Guidelines divide the nominees into two general categories: those with a notable academic reputation and those who have made outstanding contributions to the betterment of the regional, national or global community. The guidelines also emphasize that the nominees should be those who value a liberal arts education, fully support the values of

CLINTON

ple have the opportunity to actually see a presidential candidate, and given the fact that the Washington primary was significant, I thought it was important for students to be able to go see the candidates,” Rodgers said.

cont. from page 2 the academic life and extend the University’s reputation as a liberal arts college.

Widnall’s extensive involvement in the academic community as well as her former position as cochair of the Department of Defense Task Force on Sexual Harassment and Discrimination were seen as sufficient qualifications for her nominations. Widnall was not excluded from nominations as guidelines allow for the consideration of controversial figures so long as they exemplify the values for which the University stands.

Widnall is not the first controversial figure to receive an honorary degree from the University. The 2006 Commencement Ceremony saw an honorary degree conferred to Father William Bichsel. Bichsel, Tacoma raised social activist and Catholic priest is known for his civil disobedience regarding nuclear weapons, the war in Iraq and the U.S. Army’s training school for the Latin American military—acts for which he has been jailed and served prison time, according to the Archdioceses of Seattle website.

Whether or not this year’s candidates will attract any sort of controversy is still yet to be determined. While Bartanen suspected that last year’s controversy will be a discussion topic for the present proceedings, she states that the ultimate purpose of bestowing honorary degrees is to commemorate the graduating class.

“A lot of thought goes into the class being honored at the Commencement Ceremony,” Bartanen explained.

The 2008 Commencement Ceremony will be held Sunday, May 18 at Baker Stadium. •

Tuition

cont. from page 2

ASUPS photo services/wilson bailey

Vice President for Enrollment George Mills looks over paperwork at his desk. Tuition increases may be greater than expected if the desired enrollment level is not achieved next year. senior Mark Rosasco, a BTF student member, said.

These requests come from a variety of different groups around campus, including the academic departments, athletic programs and financial aid services. By definition, each member of the BTF comes from these different factions of the UPS community. Their aim as a group is to shed bias in an effort to promote the University’s best interests.

“I attempt to represent the University. As a faculty member, I can’t just represent the faculty,” Professor Bryan Smith, a BTF faculty member from the math department, said.

The committee makes difficult decisions in having to give less than asked for or nothing at all in regards to requests,

cont. from page 1 Rodgers also said he did not want students to look back years from now and say they could have seen a president speak but had to be in class.

Some professors used vacation time to cancel class, Mondou said.

3

“Class attendance may have been lighter than usual as a large number of students chose to attend the event, and some professors may have cancelled individual classes due to low attendance,” Mondou said. •

but if anything, these decisions benefit the students. If every single request had been granted in full this year, tuition would have undergone a nine percent increase.

The University has three main sources of income—donations, endorsements, and tuition. The money collected from these resources then goes to fund the requests that are approved.

“We are currently working toward a less tuition dependent income,” said Lorraine Toler, BTF staff representative.

This year, the BTF was able to work things out so that the money allotted toward financial aid is slightly less tuitiondependent than last year, making it a less than one percent difference.

Ultimately, as indicated in the

BTF report, if the University can garner more money from all three sources of income, and not depend so much on one source, then it will not have to squeeze more and more money out of students as the years go by. It is one of the University’s objectives to increase donation and endorsement revenues in order to achieve that goal.

This information was presented Feb. 4 to the faculty senate and opened to public comment up until Feb. 8. As the deadline for suggestion has passed, however, the President will take these budget recommendations to the Board of Trustees for the final approval.

Any further recommendations by the community will have to wait for next year’s deliberation. •

Security Report The following incidents occurred on campus and were reported to Security Services between Jan. 22 & Feb. 12: • A student reported her 1991 Honda Accord stolen from the Library parking lot. The theft was reported to the Tacoma Police Department.

• A student reported significant damage to his room window in Trimble Hall. Upon investigation it appeared as though someone tried to forcefully pull it open from the outside. It doesn’t appear the room was entered and nothing was reported missing by the student.

• University residents on N. 12th Street reported pry marks they hadn’t previously noticed on their front door. It is not known exactly how the damage occurred, but it appears the house was not entered and nothing was reported missing.

• A Ford Mustang parked on N. Lawrence Street near Trimble Hall was broken into. The owner reported there was no visible damage to her vehicle, but that contents of the center storage compartment were spread throughout the vehicle.

The vehicle registration and owners manual appear to be the only items taken.

• A Ford Expedition parked on N. Lawrence Street near the N. 11th intersection was also broken into. The owner reported nothing was taken from the vehicle. Items from the glove box were scattered on the passenger seat and floor. It appears the vehicle was entered by breaking the driver’s side door lock.

Please take appropriate measures to protect yourself and your property. Immediately report suspicious people or activity to Security Services at extension 3311. Officers are available to respond 24 hours a day.

ASUPS photo services/nick kiest

Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton attracted a crowd of approximately 5000 to the Fieldhouse Friday in a last-minute bid for votes in Saturday’s Democratic party caucus.

• Courtesy of Todd A. Badham., Director of Security

4

Comics & Classifieds February 15, 2008

wish I were a gay man.

The Trail

by the end of February.

“HEY YOU,” little signs “HEY YOU,” close the door under the cherry blossom when you pee. trees, we see you every year and yet we still cannot pro“HEY YOU,” when you tell nounce the names upon you. me to jump and article, realize Give up already. that it’s already been jumped.

“HEY YOU,” tuition, can you please stop going up so that my parents can afford to pay for the education of my four younger siblings, as well as their retirement.

“HEY YOU,” professor, nice golden retriever.

Wanna write a Hey You? Send your call outs to: trailheyyou@ups.edu Rules: •No names or identifying descriptions (jersey numbers, initials, etc.)

•Must be submitted by weekend prior to publication.

you make me smile. Thanks for making this semester a little brighter.

“HEY YOU,” he’s like fifty patoots!

“HEY YOU,” Major DBAG who took my scarf from a booth in the upper level of the SUB. My grandma got it “HEY YOU,” red Volvo, is for me in Germany and she it really necessary to park 3 is dead now and it is the only inches from the car in front thing I have from her. I really don’t appreciate you and of you?! your sticky fingers. If I see you “HEY YOU,” Sororities, with my scarf I am going to stop screaming like obnox- take my massive 6 foot body ious baboons. Screaming does and tackle you. I WANT MY TURQUOISE SCARF not make you cool.

BACK!!!

“HEY YOU,” I can mash “HEY YOU,” icup. potato. I can do the twist. Do you love me now that I can “HEY YOU,” team. Let’s dance?

FROLIC. “HEY YOU,” please vis“HEY YOU,” Optimus it lost.edu/70637 for a fun game about connecting peo- Prime, Ben & Jerry’s rematch? ple through creativity!

“HEY YOU,” Those Kappa “HEY YOU,” girl in the library with the Swedish fish, Alpha Theta girls are making where would I be without you me sweat! and your anonymous candy “HEY YOU,” 3rd floor boy, donations? we are so much hotter, cool“HEY YOU,” girl in the li- er, and better than her. Stop brary commons, I need to use wasting your time. the printer so stop facebook“HEY YOU,” guys of UPS: ing and WORK, or I’ll book I’m cute, single and disease your face into the WALL. free. What more do you “HEY YOU,” way to tell the want? naysayers off. Your super long “HEY YOU,” I know I dishair is beautiful and fantastic. tract you in Spanish, but you “HEY YOU,” sub ladies, distract me too. Lets “study” sometime.

“HEY YOU,” first floor door in Thompson, GET SOME HANDLES! “HEY YOU,” RAs, I’m pretty sure my hamster can’t survive underwater for five minutes.

“HEY YOU,” All Boys Club will be back in business

“HEY YOU,” diseased house mate, stop getting us sick.

“HEY YOU,” your strange and startling is a little too strange and startling.

“HEY YOU,” Garden Level boy you’re really cute.

“HEY YOU,” UT rocked the Hell’s Kitchen show.

Sudoku

“HEY YOU,” Emperor Cuffs, WE LOVE YOU! XOXO “HEY YOU,” thanks for scooping my vomit out of the sink. I owe you.

“HEY YOU,” people who stand outside my window...I know your secrets.

“HEY YOU,” the tall lanky boy in the little brown shed behind student development.

Hours are 1:00 to 6:00...

“HEY YOU,” Jumpy Castle Inflatable Fun you made my life!!!!

“HEY YOU,” bring back the burrito.

“HEY YOU,” FLAC house mates: you are the cheese to my macaroni!

“HEY YOU,” wanna get lucky? Come win AMAZING prizes and help RSA/ RHA raise money for Kids Can Do at Casino Night on Feb. 16th at 7:30 in Marshall Hall. Tickets are $5 ahead of time and $7 at the door!

“HEY YOU,” sometimes I

Elliot Trotter

Dead Prez coming to UPS

tonight!

Friday, Feb. 15 at 8:30 p.m. in Marshall Hall Buy your tickets at the Info Center for $10 w/Student ID

The Trail

Opinions February 15, 2008

5

Lincoln’s summer house: historical?

photo courtesy of USATODAY.COM

Three miles away from the White House, Lincoln’s summer home will open as a museum in Feb.

By Isabelle Eyre ieyre@ups.edu Opinions Writer Abraham Lincoln enthusiasts and other historical geeks have something to look forward to — on Feb 19, a new Lincoln-centered museum will be opening up in Washington, D.C., less than three miles from the White House.

“President Lincoln’s Cottage”, its official title, was Lincoln’s home for three summers of his presidency. It is located on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington D.C., and was Lincoln’s very own Camp David — his favorite house, since he apparently disliked living in the White House (he called it the “damned old house”). Largely unnoticed as a building of historical significance for almost

140 years, it was “rediscovered” in the late 90s, marked as a national landmark, and now visitors will be able to see it in all its glory, thanks to a whopping15 million-dollar restoration.

The question here is, what exactly will they be seeing?

On the opening page of the website for the museum (www. lincolncottage.org), it is touted as the “the most significant historic site directly associated with Lincoln’s presidency aside from the White House”.

I have to wonder if there are any other sites directly related to Lincoln’s presidency. Since Gettysburg, the Ford Theatre (where he was shot) and the somewhat significant Lincoln Memorial don’t count as “directly” related, what else does?

Lincoln’s cottage is just that — Lincoln’s cottage. It was a modest summerhouse where he and his family went to escape the oppressive humidity of central Washington, D.C. He commuted from the cot-

tage to the White House everyday. Incidentally, that commute from house to house is one of the main historical pulls of the site. That’s right, the drive. Lincoln drove by himself to the White House everyday, taking the same path, in the middle of the Civil War. As an admirer of Lincoln, I’m very curious as to why the people who love and admire him best aren’t trying to cover up his terrible judgment.

The idea of the museum doesn’t impress me. It’s off the beaten path, so people who go to see it will be going specifically for this house. None of the original furniture or furnishings remain, so they have been pieced together and recreated from a few accounts of the house. Instead of artifacts that relate to the house, there will be video monitors located throughout with dramatizations of various things that “occurred” in the house. But if you strip away all of this, you are left with…what? A build-

ing that Lincoln existed in. free, and they were all lined up There is no substantial proof neatly in a row, would you rethat Lincoln did anything ally want to hike all the way to here. Scholars believe he may the Armed Forces Retirement have written the Emancipation Home grounds to pay 12 dolProclamation here, or at the lars and walk through a sumvery least, thought of it here. So mer cottage with not a single you can add this to a string of original artifact? Kids do get to other Lincoln sites that spread wear a nifty Lincoln hat while themselves too thin. I’ve been inside (do they take it away as to the Ford Theatre, which at you’re leaving?), so that might least has an underground Lin- pull you, but I’m guessing most coln mupeople won’t seum and bite.

As an admirer of Lincoln, is a pretty Frank MilI’m very curious as to why the ligan, piece of armuchitecture. people who love and admire seum direchim best aren’t trying to cover tor, touts it The house up his terrible judgment. where he as a “different died, right kind of hisnext to the toric house”, theatre, was and says that one of the biggest non-events one should not, “go in looking of my trip to D.C. You walk for the bed Lincoln slept in”. If through literally about two they even had a chair he sat in, rooms. One of which he died I’d be more interested in goin, the other of which I believe ing. The point of museums is was the kitchen where the to combine information with doctor who tried to save him concrete objects so they can probably cleaned his scalpels. put the ideas together in their But at least it was free. head. When you’ve nothing to Adult admission to this new actually show, the entire conmuseum will be a whopping cept flops like a trout in the $12 for adults, $5 for kids 6 to bottom of the boat.

12. If you were in Washington I may go just to wear the D.C., and you could go to any hat. of the giant and frankly amaz• Isabelle Eyre is from the ing Smithsonian museums for North.

Photo courtesy of USATODAY.COM

Lincoln’s home will become a museum for the public to visit.

‘Youth Vote’; finally our stance matters

•Neglected by politicians for years, young voters finally get noticed

By Seth B. Doherty sdoherty@ups.edu Opinions Writer After too many years of the pundits in the media ruling out the importance of our age demographic in politics, apparently we are starting to matter. Though I doubt we are as important or as active as the media seems to suggest, the political activity on our part is encouraging and really, after too many years of being treated as insignificant, it is nice to matter. It gives us an opportunity to have a political influence we have never had the chance to have before.

As highly reported by everyone from CBS to MTV, the youth vote this year is taking a drastic rise. On Super Tuesday, the number of voters under thirty years of age skyrocketed from primaries in years past.

In some states it quadrupled.

Completely disregarding the positive effects that this has for Obama, the media has leaped on this as a story in its own right. It shows that the apathy that is so often associated with our generation is eroding. I do not know what it is, whether it is Obama’s hopeful, post-partisan message, generally likeable candidates, or perhaps even the enfranchisement of four years of the next generation since 2004, but whatever it is, the pundits and talking heads are taking notice of us. This gives us an opportunity.

Yet, the under thirty vote is still not up to the higher percentages of those over thirty.

But before that tired-go to answer of apathy is trotted out, I think there is a much more accurate and obvious answer than that.

I have engaged in campaigning for Obama, but, despite my encouragement of others to go out and caucus or do absentee ballots in their home states, I

myself have not done so. That is because I am still registered in Colorado, a caucus state, and hence could not be there in person. Yet, I cannot change my voter registration to WashConnected to our apathy are feelings that politicians do not care what we think. And for far too long that has been true, but no longer. ington, since I am claiming Colorado residency as I further my education beyond UPS. I have heard a number of stories along these lines from other students.

“I would vote but…”

And quite often the “but” is defendable. Our generation went far away to college, yet through increased technology and the ease of airfare are still tied to our homes further away.

Some democratic institutions

have not caught up with this generation’s diaspora.

Yet, many of those that cannot take place in the primary/caucus process still care and are still active. I would suggest then that despite the slightly lower voter turnout, our apathy towards politics has grown more or less insignificant. For whatever reason, we have started to care, and the effects of this are significant.

Hence, politicians are paying attention and it is about time. It feels good, and frankly, empowering. Connected to our apathy are feelings that politicians do not care what we think. And for far too long that has been true, but no longer.

I know when I hear Obama speak, I see the first mainstream, national politician that might actually care about my needs or what I might think.

That kind of political clout on our part comes with a certain amount of responsibility. We now have a voice and a duty to use that clout. There are yet

no issues associated with this youth vote. Yet, we are the generation most impacted by the war in Iraq, and most likely to be effected if our government’s issues with Iran ever go beyond rhetoric. We are probably the most internationally minded generation due to the internet, travel, and the diversity of immigrants that we are make us up. If I were to generalize, I would also note how extremely environmentally minded we are.

I think it is our duty to help keep attention to these issues, and any other issues that may matter to our generation that I am disregarding. We never may be able to outnumber the baby boomers, but I think it is time we care as much as they did and do. We have the politicians attention now. Let’s do something with it.

• Seth Doherty is excited to have a voice in politics. He stimulates his international mind on the Internet evey night.

Opinions

6

February 15, 2008

The Trail

“Work hard, play hard” UPS motto no more • A lack of social diversity due to the dissolving party scene

By Brandon Lueken blueken@ups.edu Opinions Writer “Work hard, play hard.”

That’s the UPS students motto, right? Sure, the school’s actual motto is “To The Heights,” but how many times do you hear that? Try somewhere in the neighborhood of never, with the possible exception of Matriculation and Graduation.

But the notion of throwing yourself into academics and your social life equally is a mindset that most Loggers share. Or, at least, they used to. When it comes to Friday and Saturday nights, I have found myself wanting for the social scene that was once burgeoning on and off campus. I have come to realize that UPS doesn’t party like it used to.

I remember my freshman and sophomore years fondly, where there was at least one huge 150-250 person party every weekend. Someone would foolishly amass a large amount of liquor and word would spread. Soon, all manner of students would be pouring out of every door and window with little regard to dignity or personal property. When the neighborhood patrol buzzed

Melinda Boyce

the house, just drove by, the nervous first years would flee in packs. Now these parties are a rarity. They can be found once a month, a few a semester and are often strange gatherings where students awkwardly stare at one another whilst gathered in circles. For once they see someone that they’ve never seen before, and not even liquid courage can persuade them to go up and introduce themselves. It’s like a sixth grade dance all over again. Social boundaries are much harder to cross because most parties now. The types of parties you’re going to find

today are among friends and take place largely off campus.

Once off campus, these gatherings rarely make it beyond thirty people.

This, of course, suits Security and the Dean of Students just fine. They have been making an effort for the past five years to better the University’s ties with the local neighborhood by cracking down on parties that spill out onto the lawn, are loud and obnoxious through all hours of the night and encourage alcohol poisoning. Roaming parties like The Rail and the Alder Crawl have been largely unsuccessful (well,

AIDS medication: Lucrative business

By Arjun Dhillon adhillon@ups.edu Opinions Writer Patients suffering from rare medical conditions often have a hard time finding effective prescription treatments, even if the drugs have been around for a long time. The consumer base of patients with rare diseases is very small, so it is difficult for pharmaceutical companies to make a profit from selling these treatments.

To make sure medication for rare diseases are continually produced, the U.S. government created the orphan drug classification. This status is granted to drugs that are important for the treatment of serious diseases, but wouldn’t otherwise be profitable to produce.

Companies that decide to sell an orphan drug get financial support and exclusive rights to manufacture the product, and patients usually get easy access to their medication.

However, many pharmaceutical companies use this system as a government sanctioned monopoly. Since the patient’s health depends on their medication, and all other companies are prohibited from producing it, the company that initially picked up the orphan drug can set any price and still remain sure that it will sell.

In 1995, Savient Pharmaceuticals reintroduced a prom-

ising anabolic steroid, called Oxandrolone, to treat cases of extreme weight loss caused by Hepatitis and HIV wasting syndrome. Oxandrolone was available for approximately $800 per year when it came out thirty years ago, but since it was classified as an orphan drug the cost of an annual prescription increased to almost $11,000. International companies have offered to produce it for less than the original 1970’s cost (around $600 per year), but federal law forbids patients from purchasing the medication from anywhere but Savient Pharmaceuticals.

Of course, no one should be surprised that U.S. pharmaceutical companies don’t hesitate to force dying AIDS patients to pay arbitrarily huge sums of money for treatments that cost nearly nothing to produce.

Corporations are legally obligated to maximize profits for their shareholders. But there is no excuse for the federal government’s continued facilitation of this kind of price gouging.

With the help of this program, dying patients have become the best type of customer for many different pharmaceutical companies. In 2006, Genzyme Corporation made more than $900 million on an orphan drug for Gaucher disease, while spending less than $30 million to produce it. In Brazil, a drug to treat leprosy and

The Trail returns!

certain types of cancer sells for seven cents per pill, but its orphan drug status allows Calgene Corporation to charge more than $55 per pill in the United States.

Price gouging on these medications has become so extreme that insurance companies are even starting to reduce the coverage of diseases that are treated with orphan drugs.

Many insurance providers now require that the patient pay for half of the costs of medications under the orphan drug status, and some will no longer cover any part of the prescription cost.

The orphan drug act was created to protect patient health, but its efficacy relies on pharmaceutical companies having some amount of morality. This very obvious flaw has attracted no changes to the legislation, even though it has been ruthlessly exploited for years.

If the federal government is going to create programs that interfere with the free market, it should be prepared to provide the oversight necessary to ensure their success. As is the case with the orphan drug program, a half-assed attempt at regulating capitalism can often do more damage to the citizenry than what would have happened without government intervention.

• Arjun Dhillon has better ideas on Health Care than Clinton.

No burritos

until this past year) due to the University’s efforts, and were on track to eventually die out.

But is this a good thing? What has changed about the party life here at UPS? I believe that underclassmen expectation has changed, and the rise of marijuana as the drug of choice has significantly altered the party dynamic.

It used to be a lot more common that people threw parties in their on-campus houses, or crowded into a Trimble suite.

Not anymore. These gatherings were often broken up by Residence Life Staff, Security or both. After a few weeks of that,

the enterprising party planners moved to a place that wouldn’t be bothered. Where is that?

Off campus.

But when those off campus soirees got broken up by the police because the guests were spilling out onto the lawn, and the hosts discovered that yes, all their friends were here, and yes, so were those other hundred people, the guest list started getting explicit. Not only that, but the Department of Student Affairs has been working more and more over the years to en-

See PARTIES page 7

Darfur Refugees

By Walid Zafar wzafar@ups.edu Opinions Writer

cated than Save Darfur and its functionaries present.

George Clooney, among others, has argued that the conflict is ‘not a political issue’ but rathAs part of their Voices from er an issue of ‘right and wrong.’

Darfur campaign, last semester, Conveniently, politics are disreSave Darfur Coalition in con- garded as the struggle for land, junction with the Spirituality, grazing rights and a dwindling Service & Social Justice office water supply, undoubtedly exand the Jewish Student Orga- asperated by global climate nization brought two Darfuri change, are left out of the disrefugees to the campus to share cussion. In the words of writer their personal experiences of Glen Ford, “a regional interliving in the volatile region. African, inter-Muslim conflict While it would be inappropri- is made to appear as part of the ate to question their narratives, ‘clash of civilizations’ – the new which are horrific, it is never- Cold War.” An organization theless important to question such as Save Darfur, whose how our own prejudices con- modus operandi has been to textualize the conflict. create the popular perception The conflict in Darfur, a hu- of genocide and brutality, copiman rights catastrophe by any ously estimates that ‘400,000 measure, has been milked more innocent men, women and than a dairy cow. While hu- children have been killed.’ man rights are being violated Experts, including the U.S. around the world, the fixation General Accountability Office is on Darfur, where through see that figure as pure sensaManichean semantics, it is ar- tionalism and place the number gued ad nauseam that govern- at 200,000, a quarter of those a ment backed ‘Arab’ horseman result of military attacks. Disterrorize an innocent ‘black’ ease and malnutrition, not vioDarfuri population. Little care lence, estimates the Center for is taken to explore the roots of Research on the Epidemiology the conflict and as is becom- of Disaster, has been responing common in how Ameri- sible for 70 percent of deaths cans view the outside world, in Darfur. U.S. State Departwhat exactly are the grievances ment officials admit that some of the Darfuri people and the Darfuri rebels “let the village Sudanese government. As evi- burnings go on, let the killdenced by Darfuri rebel attacks on African Union troops, the See DARFUR page 7 conflict is much more compli-

Presidential candidate at UPS

FAFSA

Opinions February 15, 2008

The Trail

DARFUR

cont. from page 6

ing go on, because the more international pressure that’s brought to bear on Khartoum, the stronger their position grows.” Nevertheless, activists decry ‘never again’ and lobby for intervention, going so far as to protest against China for its brazen culpability in abetting the genocide.

While the attention is on Darfur, during the past decade, the Democratic Republic of Congo has in experienced the indiscreet and indiscriminate slaughter of, according to Australia’s Burnet Institute, more than 5.4 million people.

A catastrophe nearing the extermination of European Jewry during the Nazi holocaust occurs with little opprobrium and even less interest. In Sudan, the conflict is genocide but because it cannot be used to further dehumanize Arabs and asperse their Chinese enablers, the massacres in DRC are said to be too complicated to deconstruct and criticize. Rather than seeing conflicts for what they are, ‘activists’ portray foreign conflicts through the prism of their personal predispositions and, as Roger Howard writes in the

Guardian, ‘obscure uncomfortable truths’.

Professor Seth Weinberger of the Politics and Government Department suggests in his blog that instead of depending on the U.N. to ensuring a peaceful solution to the impasse, President Bush and the leaders of NATO should take “matters into their own hands as they did in Kosovo.”

This sort of logic sounds eerily similar to the arguments put forward before the invasion of Iraq, which was pushed in order to save, among others, the Kurdish people. When an astute observer pointed out to Professor Weinberger that Congo seems to never be discussed, Professor Weinberger replied that “Congo is not genocide (sic)”. He goes on to argue that the “situation on the ground is sufficiently different from that in Darfur” even though, according to the U.N., atrocities in Congo go “far beyond rape” and include sexual slavery, forced incest and even cannibalism.

And surely, it’s not just in the Congo. In 2006, the Lancet reported that 650,000 Iraqi’s had been killed because of the

PARTIES sure safer party practices.

“We long ago discovered that ‘just say no’ policies don’t work, especially in a university environment,” Dean of Students Mike Segawa said. “So we’ve been trying to ensure that students know how to drink safer.”

That’s why programs like “Six Pack of Common Sense,” which is given in the dorms during the first few weeks of school have been instituted over the years.

So, as time has gone on, things have become a little less

Love

Iraq War. A few weeks ago, Opinion Research Business, a British polling agency, reported that more than 1,000,000 Iraqi citizens have been murdered since the invasion. Comparing that to the 50,000 who have been murdered in Darfur, one would expect people to have a perspective. Instead, its seems that the only casualty figures that to matter to most Americans are those of U.S. military personnel and of those who we want to protect.

Lastly, this is no apology for the crimes that the Sudanese government has committed and continues to commit, but rather, it is a question of prejudice. Those who adulate intervention in Darfur pay little more than lip service in dealing with greater crimes in DRC or Sri Lanka or Kashmir or Palestine or Uganda or Somalia or the Philippines or Columbia. Why? Because it’s easier to lead a calumnious campaign when the gross human rights violators are ‘Arabs’ and Chinese than when are allied with the United States.

• Walid Zafar hopes to encourage more knowledge of current events on campus.

cont. from page 6 raucous. But I think there’s another contributing factor – marijuana.

The Department of Student Affairs revealed that when talking about drug use marijuana is now the second most used drug, one above cigarette smoking, and one below alcohol. When I’ve talked to other students about drug use, the inevitably comes up that drugs are more prevalent now than they were when I was a freshman. Harder drugs like meth, cocaine and crack are a pressing worry for the Dean’s office.

This is a new phenomenon. No one, neither student nor Dean, can determine whether or not there are actually more drugs, or if their use has just become more open. Either way, drugs are definitely more visible then they were before.

It was just two or three years ago that smoking weed at parties was freed from the constraints of bedrooms and backyards.

Now large groups of friends are getting high together in front of the television. This change in drug choice affects the party’s mood dramatically. Your average group of pot heads are not going to cause trouble. They’re going to stumble to 7-11 or Safeway around eleven, pick up some munchies, watch a movie and hit the sack by two in the morning. Your average group of drunken yahoos are going to be loud and obnoxious. This sort of environment encourages shots, drink matching and trying to beat someone in a push-up contest. Though even now, your drunken yahoo turns in at around two. In my four years here, people have begun going to sleep earlier and earlier. There are still the hard core partiers who will stumble in at

five in the morning but they are a rare breed now.

The problem I see with this particular trend of parties is that they are too comfortable.

There are those times when you don’t want to go out on the town, and just stay at home and watch a movie with your friends. This is perfectly acceptable and describes a lot of my personal weekend social interaction. However, now I don’t have the chance or opportunity to go to a big party where I know two or three people, and meet a whole group of new people. I cannot start or continue a conversation the next day with someone I met at a party.

I have made, and kept, friends this way. I ran into these people at the SUB the next day or got in line behind them at the café.

The party was just a conversation starter, and you knew that you had been at the social event of the weekend.

Now that venue is gone. It’s hard to be socially mobile and meet people outside of your circle of friends after your Freshman or Sophomore year.

People are more cliquish, and embrace the term awkward wholeheartedly.

Awkward people are not going to go out on a limb to meet new people.

I see less flow between different social groups, which builds stereotypes in the worst ways. I don’t encourage the loud party that keeps me awake with the crooning sounds of someone vomiting into the bushes.

However, I do miss the ability to go out and meet fellow students on a Friday night that I had never met before, both knowing that we could be doing homework right now.

• Brandon Lueken wants to dance to Shout with John Belushi.

V-Day sugar hangover

7

An introduction to sexual health

By Glynnis Kirchmeier gkirchmeier@ups.edu Sex Columnist

be, and walking with friends in sketchy alleys. But you cannot take precautions and still have fun without knowing the risks and asking for advice. Since Popular culture seems to have we live with an all-or-nothing two stances on sexuality. Either attitude regarding sex, young one is not supposed to exist be- people tend not to have either low the neck, or one has sex all proper information or places to the time with a multitude of get it. Most of us go to Vancoupeople. Let’s call these stances ver anyway.

“Virginity or Bust” and “Sex This column is a way to put and the City.” Which one we fit us all on the same page. It is a into mostly depends upon age, starting point for your own inbut sexual orientation, religion, vestigation. Although all inforability, or any number of other mation will be medically accuidentities can affect where soci- rate, it is an introduction only. I ety says we go. As we enter our am not a doctor, just someone twenties, most UPS students who thinks this stuff is interestare in a transitory place between ing and important. the two categories. A certain Sex: For the purposes of this portion of society dictates that column, “sex” will mean “any teenagers are not “supposed” partnered activity involving the to have sex, and should not be mouth, anus, penis, or vagina “encouraged” to do so by proper that has some level of risk of information about it. Anyone pregnancy or sexually transmitwho “falls off the bandwagon” ted infections.” Thus “sex” does is regarded as getting what they not solely mean “intercourse.” deserve, i.e. “punishment for When your doctor asks you their sins.” if you are sexually active, they Alternately, once adulthood probably mean just intercourse; has been reached, there is an as- if they’re liberal, they might insumption that bunny sex is had clude oral sex on the menu if for all with no consequences you say you are gay. But this is a whatsoever – physical or emo- very misleading definition, and tional (unless it’s the juicy gos- you should gently scold your sip kind). Bringing up the con- doctor if that is the case. sequences is generally thought This definition picks out cerof as insulting because of the tain behaviors from a large bag attitude that “everyone” knows of goodies, which may or may about it and adults have all the not match your own personal information they need. definition of sex. It obviously Both Virginity or Bust and excludes a lot of sexual behavSex and the City are fantasies. iors, like playing with nipples or They do not take into account masturbating in front of a parta broad range of human expe- ner. There are many, many defiriences. Now there’s nothing nitions of sex, and you should inherently wrong with fanta- pick one that works for you. sies; the problem happens when Safer Sex: When I was in high people pretend they apply to school, it was “safe sex.” When I real life in any meaningful way. came to college, all of a sudden Case study: if we assume that there was an extra “r” in there. senior citizens don’t have sex What’s up with that? (because they are not young We say safer sex to indicate and therefore “shouldn’t”), then that no matter what precauthose senior citizens that do (i.e. tions are taken, there is still a most of them) end up having a possibility of infection or pregreal lack of information and may nancy when one chooses to be take unintended risks. For ex- sexually active. Abstinence and ample, between 1990 and 1992, masturbation are the only 100% while the rate of new AIDS cas- safe sexual choices. Acknowles among people 30 and younger edging the risk, however, is not declined, the rate for people 60 the same as saying that sex is and over increased by 17%. That not worth the trouble. Rather, if refers to people with full-blown you have some basic knowledge, AIDS, not counting folks who confidence, and communication are just getting infected with skills, you can make sex almost HIV. Assuming that Grandpa’s as safe as masturbation. not having sex because you (and Now that we’ve gotten to his doctor, and the staff at his know each other, I think we’re assisted living place) don’t want ready to get a little more intito think about it means that he mate. Dental dams, lube, vagihas a higher risk. The fantasy nas, prostates, Viagra, emergengets in the way of reality. cy contraception...just a small I see this column as a way to sample of what I might cover show a middle ground between this semester. Sexy, right? these cultural stances. In the grand scheme of things, sexual choices are not particularly im- References... portant. Sex should represent Zagria, Mary Ann E. “Sexunothing more or less than one ally Transmitted Diseases in of many kinds of relationship Older Patients.” U.S. Pharmacist. tools or ways to have fun. When you make other kinds of choices, 13 Dec. 2003: 28. USPharmacist. com. 8 Feb. 2008. you are able to weigh the costs <http://www.uspand benefits of, say, going to Vancouver for the weekend. You h a r m a c i s t . c o m / i n d e x protect yourself from the risks asp?show=article&page= 8_1175. by buying car insurance, telling htm>. your roommate where you will

Creative dates

Rained out sports games

Features February 15, 2008

8

The Trail

asups photo services/holly Hartman

Rachel Gross carries a rubber ducky keychain around.

“After taking pictures of my rubber duck all over Europe for 2 months, I knew I needed to have one with me, because you never know when you will need a quacking light-up rubber ducky to complete a picture.”

Callie Johnson h phone. “My first o sledding over bre She also sports a her by a friend, D when she walks t Secret lip gloss.

“The third conta buy the same one

Callie Johnson • Features Writer cmjohnson@ups.edu

Callie Joh

asups photo services/Nicole Marshall

Nani Vishwanath has her camera with her wherever she goes.

“I am known to take pictures at all times of the day, even while eating lunch at the SUB. Who else does that?”

Callie Johnson • Features Writer cmjohnson@ups.edu

The Trail

has an enormous old-school Nokia one was crushed when I went eak.” a purple sparkley wallet given to Danielle, an iPod shuffle to listen to to the store, and some Victoria’s

ainer I have had because I always e.”

hnson • Features Writer • cmjohnson@ups.edu

Features February 15, 2008

9

W h a t ’ s I n Yo u r P o c k e t s ?

asups photo services/holly Hartman

Across the UPS campus, convenience and simplicity seem to be the modus-operandi. Look around the campus: the dress is basic, the hair is simple, and the general atmosphere is more practical than ornate, a phenomenon which extends even into the pockets of the students and faculty of UPS. One item that student Phil Hughes is sure not to leave home without, in addition to the ones mentioned above, is his iPod. “I love my music, and I’m addicted to it.”

Many UPS students can be seen with iPods, which although not strictly necessary, help to entertain students on walks between classes or when studying, providing a little entertainment, and a break from the incessant winter rain.

More often than not, the base for any UPS pocket is an ID card and a set of keys. These are the bare essentials needed for survival on campus. An ID card is the campus golden ticket, allowing entrance into dorms and campus buildings, serving to pick up packages, and of course, buying food and coffee. That is so long as you want pizza or are willing to risk SUB fair.

Another common find in pockets across campus is, naturally, the cell phone. Although less essential than an ID card, cell phones are used almost exclusively for communication, edging out the campus phones and written communication.

Although Professor Bob Matthews is not as technologically dependent as UPS students, choosing not to carry a cell phone, and certainly not an iPod, he never goes anywhere without a pen or a packet of Kleenex, both of which come in handy quite often.

Whatever it is that we habitually reach for on the way out the door, it is likely to be basic and useful, chosen with the intent to make our day easier. There is after all, no point in carting around useless junk like that old gum wrapper that’s so old you can’t even read what brand it is. So grab your ID card, keys and the other bare necessities and leave the rest behind.

Meredith Lawrence • Features Writer • malawrence@ups.edu

Background: asups photo services/holly Hartman

10

Arts & Entertainment February 15, 2008

The Trail

Monologues candidly approach sexuality

asups photo services/gloria treseder

The “Vagina Monologues” presents women’s sexuality and the multi-dimensional nature of being a woman in a way that is both humorous and touching.

By Merissa Moeller mmoeller@ups.edu A&E Editor What are the “Vagina Monologues” about? In the words of co-director Lizzie Cook, everything “from dildos to tampons.” The monologues explore what it means to be a woman and how relationships, sexual trauma and society shape that definition.

Cook and her best friend Jessy Arends,both sophomores, undertook the task of directing the monologues because of the personal experience they had acting in the production. Both spontaneously decided to join the monologues last year and came back this year to tackle the project, which Arends said “has consumed my life.”

The directors feel that the monologues are especially relevant on a college campus where sex is a pervasive fact of life but is but rarely discussed candidly and holistically. They hope that their efforts will open up a necessary dialogue

between men and women The money raised by the UPS about sexuality and relation- production will go to the Sexships. ual Assault Center of Pierce This year, the UPS produc- County. tion of the “Vagina MonoBecause some of the monologues” is significant because it logues depict men as peris a part of the tenth annual in- petrators of sexual violence ternational V-Day campaign. toward women, the “Vagina Begun in 1998, Monologues” V-Day arose has been critifrom the stocized for being ries that “Va“It’s about trying to get “ a n t i - m e n . ” gina Mono- women to celebrate their sex- Freshman Kalogues” author uality as much as men do.” tie Breen disEve Ensler agrees. heard from “It’s not women as the anti-men; it’s message of her play spread. pro-women,” she said. “It’s V-Day – the “v” stands for about trying to get women “victory, Valentine, and va- to celebrate their sexuality as gina” – coincides with Valen- much as men do.” tine’s Day and is dedicated to Other cast members agree raising awareness about sexual that the “Vagina Monologues” violence toward women and are a positive step toward engirls. Now over 2,500 differ- gendering a healthy sexual enent V-Day productions of the vironment.

“Vagina Monologues” regular“On our campus, I think ly occur on college campuses our male peers are aware that and at other venues across the they should respect women, world. but they’re not sure how to The proceeds benefit organi- handle it so a lot of the time zations for women and for ed- they make a joke about it,” ucation about sexual violence. freshman Elizabeth Newton

said. “We’re trying to show guys that the vagina is not secret and mystifying, but at the same time, the focus is not on men. It’s just about empowering women.”

This theme of destigmatizing the vagina was common among all women interviewed, who agreed that the aspects of the monologues that some people have criticized as too overtly sexual are necessary to convey the lack of shame about female sexuality that is the play’s message.

“I think it has a lot to do with the perception of women as a whole,” Breen said. “[The vagina] gets a lot of attention, but at the same time none at all. It’s much more than an object of sexual interest and part of making people aware of that is making them slightly uncomfortable.”

Besides being socially edifying, the “Vagina Monologues” are entertaining and funny.

The core of Eve Ensler’s message is one of sisterhood and female unity, which is why Lizzie Cook thinks the title,

the “Vagina Monologues,” is so perfect.

“It’s really what brings us all together,” she said. “You can’t discriminate by country or by race because we all have this in common.”

Plus, it makes a really romantic date.

Breen said, “Rather than making Valentine’s Day cheesy, you can go do something that makes you socially aware. Go take your date, be awkward, talk about vag afterwards. Flowers are nice; vag is better.”

• Merissa Moeller likes flowers too.

At a glance...

The final performance of the “Vagina Monologues” will be at 7:00 pm, Friday Feb. 15 at Schneebeck Concert Hall.

Tickets on sale at Wheelock Information Center and at the door. $5 with UPS ID, $7 general.

UPS Upcoming Events Friday, Feb. 15 07:00PM Vagina Monologues 08:00PM Dead Prez Saturday, Feb. 16 11:30AM Ecofest: Envirohouse Tour 02:00PM Nellie Suthers and Rebecca Radue’s Senior Voice Recital Sunday, Feb. 17 07:30PM Jazz in the Rotunda Monday, Feb. 18 06:00PM Ecofest: Tibet and the Environment 07:30PM University Percussion Ensemble Tuesday, Feb. 19 04:00PM Career Fair (Day 1: Business and Computer Science or ganizations featured.)

05:00PM Lecture by Jeffery Hadler “Negotiating Muslim Matriarchy in Indonesia” 07:00PM Virtuoso Series Master Class by Tanya Bannister, piano Wednesday, Feb. 20 12:00PM IPE Brown Bag Lunch - Volunteering in Honduras 04:00PM Career Fair (Day 2: Public Service and Natural Science organizations featured.)

07:30PM Virtuoso Series Recital by Tanya Bannister, pianist Thursday, Feb. 21 06:00PM Ecofest: Health and Environmental Effects of Nuclear Weapons and War 08:00PM Students for a Sustainable Campus Meeting

The Trail

Arts & Entertainment February 15, 2008

11

Infinite Soups eases appetite, allowance

By Gina Tzodikov gtzodikov@ups.edu A&E Writer My dining adventures continue this semester and are off to a fantastic start. Infinite Soups, which comes highly recommended by Chelsea Taylor, the Editor-In-Chief of The Trail, was my first stop. Located at 445 Tacoma Avenue South, this incredible soup factory is only a ten minute drive from campus.

Infinite Soups makes a variety of soups and its menu changes daily. On the day that I went, it was offering about 15 different kinds of soups. Some of the more original recipes were chicken enchilada, pollo piñata, gnocchi Florentine, bacon tomato ravioli, and autumn sweet potato.

The great thing about this café is that sampling is strongly encouraged. My friends and I decided to take it seriously and sampled all of the soups available. Although that may have been annoying for the server, we gave her fair warning of our desire to taste everything before making our decision.

I always appreciate a restaurant or café more when I am allowed to sample and make a wise decision for my food selection. However, at Infinite Soups, sampling all of their delicious concoctions made my choice extremely difficult.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved

sampling every single one, but being an indecisive person as it is did not make my job any easier.

I finally decided on a soup called creamy tomato basil.

This soup is perfect for a cold and rainy day, which, unsurprisingly, it was when I went to Infinite Soups. There were nicely-sized chunks of tomatoes in the light pink and creamy broth and I could see and taste specks of basil in the soup. It was not too salty or heavy, which creamy soups tend to be sometimes.

In comparison to the tomato basil soup at the Metropolitan Market, I think I prefer the one at Infinite Soups.

Although the Met makes a delicious tomato basil soup, it is richer and more filling than the one I had at Infinite Soups.

One friend who came along to help me taste all of these soups was senior Sonia Ivancic. After tasting all 15 varieties, she decided upon the bacon tomato ravioli. Within seconds of her first bite she said, “Oh my god! It’s so good.

It’s just awesome. I really like this soup.” Sonia clearly was impressed with Infinite Soups and will definitely be coming back.

Senior Chelsea Taylor also accompanied me and ordered pork and cilantro chili, which she also loved. It seems that there is no disappointing at Infinite Soups.

asups photo services/matt loeWen

Infinite Soups serves up to fifteen soups a day in a cozy and inviting atmosphere, perfect for college students seeking cheap and comforting food.

The café also offers loaves of three different kinds of bread priced between $3.00 and $4.00. They were arranged enticingly on the counter; we had no choice but to buy one.

The three of us decided upon a loaf called Scissor bread, which tasted like a combination between sourdough bread and soft potato bread. It accompanied all three soups well.

Infinite Soups is affordable; you can get a cup of soup for $2.50 and a bowl for $3.50.

Another nice feature to note is that there was a stack of old records lying on the floor. I assumed that one of these was playing in the background. The music added a calm and eclectic atmosphere.

My only complaint about the shop is that there is nowhere

to sit. I think they would have more business if they expanded their space and added chairs and tables.

Infinite Soups is true to its name. It offers a vast amount of delectable and scrumptious concoctions. If you haven’t been there already, I, along with Chelsea Taylor, highly recommend making a visit soon.

• Gina Tzodikov is souper.

Your Weekly Recipe I spent a lot of time watching the Food Network over the break. I like gourmet food a lot, but I definitely can’t afford it as often as I want it. Since I know a lot of people who want to eat well, but don’t want to go out all of the time, I’ve decided to feature a weekly recipe that tastes great and won’t break the budget. Enjoy!

By Matt Hoffman mhoffman@ups.edu A&E Writer

Cheddar Mashed Potatoes About a year ago, my little brother found a great recipe for some white cheddar mashed potatoes. I really enjoy them as a side dish, but I have also been known to make a small pot and to just grab a big spoon.

What You Need • A big pot (the bigger the better, 5 quarts or so) • A hand mixer really helps, but you can use really any big mashing utensil

Instructions • • • • • • •

Ingredients • A potato peeler (these are pretty cheap. You can also just use a knife to remove the skin, though) • A saucepan • A colander

• • • •

1 gallon water 4 Russett potatoes 1/2 cup heavy cream 4 ounces sharp cheddar (white is the best, but yellow tastes great too)

• 3 teaspoons salt • 1/3 cup sour cream • 1/4 teaspoon pepper plus some to taste • 2 ounces butter • A pinch of garlic powder • 1 green onion (mostly for garnish)

Add 2 teaspoons of salt to the water, and bring it to a boil.

Peel the potatoes, then chop them into half-inch pieces.

Add the potatoes to the water and boil for about 15 minutes (or until the potatoes are tender).

In the small pan, add the heavy cream and melt 2 ounces of butter under medium heat.

Bring this mixture to a boil (be careful here, because cream really rises when it boils, so keep a close eye on it), then reduce the heat to low.

Drain the cooked potatoes in a colander and return them to the pot. Mash well and add the sour cream.

Add the cheese, 1 teaspoon of salt, the pepper and the garlic powder to the potatoes, and continue to mash. Mix in the butter/cream and continue to mix everything up.

• Chop up the green part of the onion and sprinkle it over the top of these delicious mashed potatoes.

• Eat!

12

Arts & Entertainment February 15, 2008

The Trail

Oscars “Weeds” fills writers strike void to be dark, as usual

By Lauren Mouat lmouat@ups.edu A&E Editor The Oscars are a time to celebrate cinematic achievement by awarding a little gold man to the best of the best (Who wouldn’t want one of those?).

However, the list of nominees also reveals the mindset of its viewers. Is it inaccurate to say that a nation can be defined by what entertains it? What people seek out in their leisure hours can embody the public psyche just as much as the candidate they vote for, the causes they join, or the decisions they make as a nation.

This year’s Oscar nominations, scheduled to air Feb. 24, present an array of the movies typical to those favored by the Oscar delegation. That is, generally dark, fatalistic movies with an undercurrent of disillusionment.

The nominees for best picture are: 1) “Atonement”: about how people’s lives are tragically altered by the misunderstandings of a young girl, 2) “Michael Clayton”: about a lawyer struggling with moral decisions as he delves into a muddied lawsuit, 3) “No Country For Old Men”: about a drug deal gone horribly awry, 4) “There Will Be Blood”: about a ruthless oilman and American capitalism and 5) “Juno”: the one ray of hope in this depressing list, about a teenager who gives her baby up for adoption. On second thought, that doesn’t sound particularly uplifting, but see the movie and you will understand.

So who will win the Oscar?

The title of the movies should make that prediction obvious: “There Will Be Blood”. Can you even think of something more ominous? It’s about oil, it’s about corruption, it’s about capitalism...and the word ‘blood’ is in the title. If you ask me, that one is in the bag.

If the nominees for Best Picture are any indication of what is on the mind of Americans, then “There Will Be Blood “may embody the focus of national interest. Entertainment can be a diversion and an escape but it can also delve into the issues we struggle with like betrayal (“Atonement”), corruption (“Michael Clayton”), greed (“No Country For Old Men”), immorality (“There Will Be Blood”), or making the right choices (“Juno”).

You might be thinking, hey, they’re just movies. Maybe you’re right. But I can assure you that the directors and actors awaiting the final call don’t think of the award as “just a little gold man.”

• Lauren Mouat truly wants “Shoot ‘Em Up” to win. Forget these depressing movies.

Asups photo services/Nicole Marshall

“Weeds” might be a show about a pot dealing suburban house wife, but the name is descriptive of Nancy’s tenacious attitude.

By Elyssa Dahl edahl@ups.edu A&E Writer In the painful silence spurred by the WGA writer’s strike, let us take a moment to reflect on the genius that is Showtime’s off-kilter comedy, “Weeds.”

Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) is a single housewife living with her two sons and screw-up of a brother-inlaw. Despite her general coolfactor and “progressive” lifestyle, she lives in the revolting Southern California suburb known as Agrestic.

Another show about the struggle of the rich and bored?

Sound pretty typical, right?

But “Weeds” packs an intense punch to keep things interesting. In an attempt to maintain her lavish suburban lifestyle, Nancy sets up shop as a marijuana dealer.

Hoping that selling weed will bikers, gets held at gunpoint somehow distract her from the by a competitor and finds herdevastating death of her hus- self dating one of the Drug band, she meets up with Hey- Enforcement Agency’s head lia (Tonye Patano) and her son officers.

Conrad (Romany Malco), supHer struggle is amplified pliers who give Nancy a crash by the guilt that comes from course in keeping the busisuch an ness. They enormous have the Nancy quickly learns that dealing s e c r e t d i f f i c u l t drugs to soccer moms in their Land from her task of Rovers is a little more complicated than kids, Silas t a k i n g she assumed.

(Hunter Nancy out P a r of her perish) and fect world Shane and show(Alexaning her how the other half der Gould). The death of their lives. father has made them act out Nancy quickly learns that in unthinkable ways, and Nandealing drugs to soccer moms cy has to deal with them while in their Land Rovers is a little simultaneously sneaking dime more complicated than she as- bags to their friends. sumed.

Nancy is not the only one As “Weeds” progresses, she crushed by pressure. Celia runs into a hostile group of Hodes (Elizabeth Perkins)

looks like the ideal PTA mother, but her battle with cancer and disgust at her overweight daughter add complexity to her character. Unconventional city councilman Doug Wilson (Kevin Nealon) is in control of Agrestic’s finances and also happens to be one of Nancy’s most frequent buyers.

At first, the show is utterly hilarious. It is ridiculous to watch someone who would go out for lattes with your own mother discussing the “nitrification of the dro.” Eventually, though, you forget about the premises’ absurdity and see Nancy doing what a lot of women have to do: getting her life back on track despite her painful past.

Because “Weeds” is on Showtime, they get to take a few liberties that you would never see on any major primetime station. Not only is the language more provocative, let’s face it: the show is completely based on illegal drugs. The brilliant writers indulge in satirizing the suburban lifestyle by putting a 180° spin on what we have come to see as “normal.”

If you are not lucky enough to get Showtime, no worries.

“Weeds” is pretty accessible if you look hard enough: the DVDs are for rent all over the place and iTunes sells seasons one and two. Who knows?

Mary Louise Parker’s Emmy nomination may be just the thing to catapult the series a little further into the mainstream.

So if you happen to have vowed never to sink to watching “American Gladiators,” try checking out this genius series. It combines an unbeatable combination of dark comedy, satire and drug trade that any viewer could get hooked on.

• Elyssa Dahl’s favorite weed is the dandelion.

Story of MU gathers online fans

By David Lev dlev@ups.edu A&E Writer The Internet is a source of many wondrous things – YouTube videos, blogs, LOLcats, webcomics, Wikipedia, Amazon…the list goes on and on.

You can find anything that you could ever be looking for on the Internet, except—until recently—decent prose fiction.

Most prose on the Internet that wasn’t originally published in print is fan fiction. While there is some good fanfic out there (as well as plenty that is deliciously bad), for me there is something satisfying about an original story.

Then, late last summer, I clicked on a banner ad for an Internet serial story called “Tales of MU.” I quickly found MU (as many of its fans call it) enthralling. The easiest way for me to describe the story is “Harry Potter goes to college, and is a girl,” but that doesn’t do this strange, funny, sexy and powerful story justice.

The story concerns a young woman named Mackenzie

Blaise (or “Mack,” as she is called), who has just gone off to her freshman year at Magisterius University, or MU. The world where this story takes place is essentially a modernday version of the classic fantasy realm: it is full of magic, elves, golems, and the like, but it also features analogues of TVs, computers, comic books and anime.

However, Alexandra Erin, the author, wasn’t just interested in creating a simple fantasy tale. She tackles some hard topics in her story, from racism to religious and social discrimination: Mack, because she’s only half-human, is placed in the “nonhuman” dorm, which is subtly excluded from the rest of the campus.

Mack’s continuing exploration of her sexual identity has been one of the major features of the story throughout its run.

At a glance...

Read “The Tales of MU” online at: www.talesofmu.com/ story

The story also addresses the challenges of finding one’s way in a new environment.

Mack starts out like a typical college freshman, insecure and not knowing what to do, and becomes gradually more open and assertive as the story goes on. All of these themes are naturally written into the story and never seem like preaching.

The fact that the story is on the Internet also adds a distinct flavor to it. AE, as the author is referred to by her fans, has stated several times that one of the reasons she publishes her story on the Internet instead of as a novel (or even a series of novels) is that it allows her to do things she couldn’t do with commercially published fiction.

There is no one “storyline” or plot; instead, rather like real life, Mack has to deal with classes, friends, lovers and others’ reactions to her all at once.

This gives the story a very naturalistic feel.

Being on the Internet also allows the fans of MU to interact with the author. Each chapter has a comment section, where fans can (and do)

post comments on how they liked (or didn’t like) the chapter. They can also discuss their theories about what is going to happen next and point out typos or confusing parts of the story.

Often, the comment section is home to heated arguments about the heavy topics in the story, and fans aren’t afraid to label themselves Christian, atheist, Jewish, married, divorced, with kids, etc. for the sake of their discussions. AE herself often responds to comments, which makes the whole thing seem very interactive.

AE has also created a forum for longer and more in-depth discussions.

“Tales of MU” updates every weeknight at around 10:00 PM. Occasional bonus stories that deal with backstory or parts of the story that don’t involve Mack directly are posted whenever AE receives $250 in donations. The story also has extensive archives, if you wish to catch up.

• David Lev signs his comments as “David Lev,” because he’s uncreative.

The Trail

Combat Zone February 15, 2008

H-Rod touches nurses, youth

By Buford T. Shagnasty Seasoned Vet

In a shocking turn of relevancy, Presidential hopeful and pants in the family Hillary Rodham Clinton (affectionately known as H-Rod by her supporters) spoke at the UPS Memorial Fieldhouse on Feb. 8. The decision to use the UPS Fieldhouse had been bandied about for over a week by the Clinton campaign. The decision was only made once the “slack-jawed do nothings,” collectively known as Union workers, refused to strike a deal with the non-union campaign workers who needed to “do the mistress’ bidding.” This miscommunication landed Clinton the 5,000 person capacity Fieldhouse, which she filled reasonably well.

Her opponent for the Democratic Primary, Barack Obama, spent his time in the more culturally relevant Seattle, speaking in iambic pentameter at the Key Arena to 17,000 adoring fans inside, and the 3,000 gathered outside. Among the crowd were several UPS students who all rose as one to support the young senator from Illinois.

They described their experience as transcendent, adding that it “really gave them hope for the future.”

The people who stuck around for the Hillary speech were treated to waiting in a line that stretched down 11 St. and wrapped around the block, where they shivered in the cold for more than an hour before being let into the building.

ASUPS Photo Services/ Nick Kiest

H-Rod eye-fucks the crowd.

Once there, they waited another hour for the fashionably late Clinton. Crammed into the stuffy Fieldhouse, the audience was forced to listen to so-called community leaders talk about how awesome and amazing H-Rod was. Many noted the glazed look in their eyes, and the curious wires coming down from the ceiling that controlled the speakers body movements.

Upon her arrival, the Clinton political machine was in full gear. The secret service quickly silenced a student chant endorsing University President Ron Thomas with chloroform.

As Hillary glad-handed the nurses and other medical professionals that surrounded her, the news crews picked apart her outfit that was both oddly mannish and extremely feminine at the same time. Students were strangely touched when she spouted a few facts about the school, although a few seniors noted that was more than the last big celebrity Bruce Campbell could do.

After the obligatory niceties, H-Rod launched into her

planned speech about health care, which received polite nods from all. Students were shocked out of their delirium when Clinton veered off course, choosing to speak about the cost of tuition. As she spoke many economics majors passed out from the sheer lunacy of her plan, while those without such a degree cheered enthusiastically for a four thousand dollar beer and weed check from the federal government.

As the speech gave way to questions, Clinton’s brain slug Tuylog took over her conscious thought process so that her inner soul could be spared from the deathly boredom of people explaining their entire life story, and asking how she could fix their immense credit card debt personally. After several answers mostly including the response, “Let the vastly superior species of Veermeer Brain Slugs rule over your insignificant and mundane lives,” people stopped asking questions.

At that point, the Secret Service forced people to clap for H-Rod before letting the now captive audience go. At that point, most students fled back into the warm safety of the UPS bubble, and their Koolog Brain Slugs, which are historically superior.

Those who watched all of the major news networks that day found no remarks upon the location of the Clinton rally, and all of the videos from that rally were limited to the starkly generic background of nurses and an American flag. Once again, UPS has been denied the glory that it so richly deserves.

• Buford will tear you apart!

‘Tis the season to be single

By Terrence Pickles Bachelor With Options

defined as any time between the time before Christmas/ general winter solstice holiday and, well, Valentine’s Day. With a collective sigh of But with that atrocity behind relief, America wakes up to us, there’s no better time of find that today, once again, is the year to dump that special a long way away from Valen- someone. What’s the best way tine’s Day. No more flowers, no to do it you might ask? Once more chocolate, no more social again, the Combat Zone has all ostracism of the lonely souls. the answers you need.

Gone are the pressures to lav• E-mail greeting card: These ish our significant other with e-cards that appear practically expensive gifts and inhumane all over the internet for free are gestures of love. I realize that perhaps the single most underto many people these things rated form of communication will be missed, and that they in existence. They’re fun and had actually rather enjoyed easy and just looking for the Valentine’s Day. chance to make someone’s day.

However, many other indi- What better way to say “it’s not viduals found themselves per- you it’s me” than with a dancforming these endeavors mere- ing penguin? ly to avoid being forever known • Poem: You tried to write a as “the asshole that dumped me romantic poem, you really did. right before Valentine’s Day.” You just couldn’t find the words In this case, “right before” is that made “I love you” not sound

like a third grader’s Mother’s Day Project. The truth is poetry isn’t that hard, it’s just that you have to write about something you care about, like dumping their under-appreciative ass.

Let the words flow freely and crap like that. Make it rhyme too, so that your (former) other half can be impressed with your cleverness of words when he/she hears it.

• Make a big scene: There’s something uniquely satisfying about this method. Maybe it’s the sense of control in the chaos, maybe it’s the thrill of having all eyes at a public venue on you, or maybe it’s the efficiency of dumping your sweetheart and announcing your new found single-dom to the world at the same time.

• Whatever the reason may be, the formula is simple; start an argument about something

13

Sophomore plans to spend entire weekend matching celebs to their spirit animals

ASUPS Photo Services/ Lindsay Mcauley

With a blanket on her lap, the remote in her hand, and her eyes locked on the TV, this student begins a spiritual weekend.

Cooper straight to footage on

By Terrence Underman Animal Planet of a silver arctic The Next Gossip Girl fox. The similarity was amazToday the World Wide Web ing.”

At that moment Jessica felt received a surprising announceshe had found her “calling.” ment, via the peer-to-peer onShe knew how she was “meant line networking system known to spend the upcoming weekas Facebook, from sophomore end.”

And since Facebook now Jennifer Jessica. Apparentallows more specific personal ly Jessica has made plans to updates, she went ahead and watch television, look closely at celebrities, and then try to di- announced that “[She] will be vine their corresponding spirit spending the entire weekend matching [her] favorite celebanimal.

For those who don’t know, a rities to their respective spirit spirit animal is an animal that animals.”

Jessica promises us some corresponds with a human on great results. She is already a spiritual level. Native Amerimaking a lot of great finds. For can Shamans thought that aniinstance, did you know that mals were spiritually connected Raven Simone’s actual spirit to the humans they shared the animal is not a raven, but the earth with. People who fight South American capybara, kung fu often search for decades before finding the right largest of all rodents? Or that animal to emulate in battle. Tiger Woods is more akin to Miss Jessica plans to divine the a mongoose than a tiger? Or that actor Zach Braff is in fact parallels in one weekend.

Jessica explained, “It all start- an animal himself (Scrubbilus ed when I posted the personal Americanus DoucheBagius)— update on Facebook that said, and consequently the spirit ‘Jennifer is bored.’ Then, I went animal of Elton John? Neither and watched some TV, which did we! Just goes to show that led me to post the update, ‘Jen- you never know what you’ll nifer is watching TV.’ And learn when you follow your while watching TV I happened heart.

• Terrence’s spirit animal is Danto flip from CNN’s Anderson iel Day-Lewis.

simple then spiral it out of control. Bonus points for starting it over a statement like, “I love you.”

• Passive Aggression: With its own unique flair, passive aggressive behavior certainly lends itself well to creativity.

Have a Facebook? Decorate it with nasty comments about the boy/girlfriend. Make sure any pictures you have of them

are captioned with disdainful words. Have mutual friends?

Make sure that friend never hears anything good about the beloved from your mouth.

There are endless passive aggressive ways to end relationships, have fun with it.

•Mr. Pickles bathes in vinegar, and yet still wonders why he can’t get a Valentine’s date.

Disclaimer: The Combat Zone is a work of satire and does not reflect the views or opinions of The Trail, its staff or the administration. In fact, the Combat Zone doesn’t really represent the opinions of anyone. Please send complaints to trail@ups.edu.

Sports

14

The Trail

February 15, 2008

Men’s basketball seeking Logger baseball 1st national championship seeks NWC title

•Loggers slip up, manage to retain first place in Northwest Conference

By Brian Ames bames@ups.edu Sports Writer

•Baseball stuck low in early polls, look to prove otherwise

By Zack Stoddard zstoddard@ups.edu leads with their cross-town wanted the ball in Williams’ Sports Writer rivals, but the Lutes were on top as the teams headed into the locker room for halftime, 46-41.

The Loggers wasted no time in the second half, as they took a one-point advantage with

hands for one last shot at the victory. Williams took his time bringing the ball up the court and after stalling at the top of “Our goal is a national chamthe key, drove for the rim and pionship; our close-knit group let the final shot go. This time, most definitely has the talWilliams made sure the ball ent to win the went in, and whole thing,” the Loggers junior guard escaped Antwan Wilthe excitliams (Porting conland, Ore.) said test with a fresh off an 98-97 win. overtime win Foster at PLU last led all scorTuesday. Wilers with liams and the 26 points.

Loggers startKrauel added the season ed 25 points with a 7-game and eight winning streak rebounds, before losing making up to Westmont for his perCollege in formance Santa Barbara, in the final Calif. on Dec. seconds of 29. The Logthe previger hoops team ous game then won 5-inin which he a-row, includmissed iming a doubleportant free overtime home throws in win over PLU. the closing This victory seconds. played out just The mobefore losing mentum a heartbreaker gained from to Whitworth the vicand was the tory against only loss in PLU prothe month of p e l l e d January for the Logthe Loggers. gers into a However, in strong first the next game, half against Williams’ 34 Linfield in points led the McMinteam to a critinville, Ore. cal road win ASUPS PHOTO SERVICES/Emily hearst The visitover Lewis ing Logand Clark. The Jeff Walker streaks to the lane with a running left-hander in a win. gers took a Loggers then c om f o r t a b l e claimed two more conference just over 15 minutes remaining 56-42 halftime lead and felt as victories over Willamette and in the game. Foster followed though they had control of the Pacific before losing to George a missed lay-up by Williams game. However, this complaFox at home on Feb. 2. with an explosive, momentum- cency allowed the Wildcats to In the loss to George Fox, ju- changing dunk. chip away at the lead, eventunior forward Jason Foster (TaThe Loggers looked to be ally pulling ahead with 9:29 coma, Wash.) became only the pulling away as Foster hit a remaining in the game. eighth player in school history three-pointer and converted on The Loggers were forced to to score 40 points in a game, a nice drive in the two ensuing foul during the last two minand posted his 1,000th career possessions. However, PLU utes of play, as Linfield coasted point. Despite the impressive was not finished. As the Lutes to the 93-82 conference vicplay of Foster, a pre-season reclaimed the lead and the mo- tory.

All-American, Williams said mentum from the crowd with Foster again led all scorers his team “came out slow and 4:30 remaining in the game, with 20 points while senior the shots did not drop when it seemed as though the home sharpshooter Taylor Marsh they needed to.” team would prevail. The Log- (Lynnwood, Wash.) contribAfter a back-and-forth battle gers, determined to not let this uted 15. in the second half, the Loggers happen, kept pressure on the Even with the conference were within one point when Lutes and converted on a few loss, the Loggers are still in sole junior forward Robert Krauel key possessions. possession of first place in the (Phoenix, Ariz.) stole the inAfter a PLU free throw, the league. Second-place Whitbounds pass and was quickly game was tied at 88 a piece worth had a chance at a share fouled. However, Krauel was with 10 seconds remaining. of the lead, but lost on the road unable to convert his free The Loggers had one last shot against Pacific, last Sunday. throws or an attempt at a last at the win, entrusting the fate The Loggers now look to second game winner as the of the game in the hands of maintain their lead as they Bruins escaped with the 78-77 Williams. He drove to the face-off against the last-place win. hoop and missed the buzzer Whitman Missionaries. The After the home loss to beater. game will be played in Walla George Fox, the Loggers knew The lead changed hands in Walla, Wash. on Friday and a road win against PLU was overtime before a pair of free tip-off is set for 8 p.m. essential in the pursuit of their throws gave PLU a one-point • Brian Ames is ecstatic now that he lofty goals. In the first half of lead with only 23 seconds recan once again write for The Trail. the game, the Loggers traded maining. Coach Lunt again

The UPS baseball season opener was scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 9th against Corban College, but was cancelled due to poor weather. Instead, their first game of the season will be against Concordia (Ore.) on, Feb. 22 at Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore. The Loggers finished fourth in the Northwest Conference last year with a record of 16-21-1 overall (13-11 NWC).

They were picked to finish fifth this season in the 2008 NWC coaches preseason poll. However, with all cylinders firing, there is no reason why this year’s team can’t make a run for the conference title.

“For us, the key to contending for the NWC title this year all comes down to pitching and defense,” said senior starting pitcher Ryan Gustafson (Bellevue, Wash.). Last season, Gustafson led the team in wins with a 6-2 record and a 5.43 ERA. This season, NWC teams will be playing four games each weekend instead of three. The reason behind this change is that the NWC wants to give its member teams a better chance

to qualify for the postseason.

This is expected to put more pressure on the pitchers.

“We are playing 32 innings of baseball in a two-day span,” Gustafson said. “With the changed schedule and some injuries we have had on the pitching staff, this means a lot of young pitchers are going to have to do well in order for us to contend.”

Along with Gustafson, seniors Tom Glassman (Tacoma, Wash.) and Shaun Kiriu (Honolulu, Hi) are expected to play key pitching roles.

“We have a lot of talent but we also have a lot of youth on our pitching staff. This will be a work in progress but I feel that our coaches will be able to handle our youth and we should be pretty good in that department,” senior co-captain Mike Olsen (Niwot, Colo.) said.

On the offensive side, Olsen led the team with a batting average of .350, including a school record 13 doubles. Other key players in the batting lineup include Kiriu, senior outfielder Gregorio Beck (Chico, Calif.), and senior designated hitter Joe Newland (Tulalip, Wash.).

“I think the biggest strength of our team is our offense,” Newland said. “We have a lot of talent coming back, and our

How about them Manning brothers?

•Eli matches older brother Peyton; biggest upset ever?

By Will Holden wholden@ups.edu Sports Writer The best team ever with the best quarterback ever just played in the best Super Bowl ever.

And we now realize that we will probably have to listen to Mercury Morris forever.

The other team that was playing had the other Manning manning their quarterback position. You know, the only signal caller in the playoffs without a supermodel for a significant other.

Oh come on, he’s the guy that lead the team who lost their opening day road game to the Jessica Romo’s and then won every other.

No, he’s not the long-haired, tattooed GQ cover boy who was as absent from the field as the beer he was spotted drinking was from the breaks in the action (oh where have you gone Coors Light?).

No, he’s not the sentimental favorite that sprayed the room with sunlight from his gaptoothed grin on media day and then splashed media members

with saliva through that section separating his two front teeth saying, “Winning the Thuper Bowl was just tho thpecial.”

You’re killing me now. How many other guys do you know who play quarterback in New York and have a name consisting of three letters that starts with an E and ends with an i? Oh! So now you think you might know him?

Why do I want to talk about him? Oh for the love of…no, it’s not because he went with the XLII sized t-shirt that fit over his pads in post game interviews like no other Super Bowl champ has ever done before.

I want to talk about him because he led his team like no other Pillsbury Throw Boy, no other former fumble-maniac turned studio pretty boy,and no other coach who recently became the cover boy for the fight against rosacea ever did.

He led like no “other” ever could have.

And it’s because of these recent accomplishments that the 27-year old Louisianan can

See SUPERBOWL pg. 15

The Trail

Sports

15

February 15, 2008

Women’s basketball team tearing up NWC •With four games to go, the ladies are tied for first place

By Brian Walker Bwalker@ups.edu Sports Writer The Lady Loggers traveled to Olson Auditorium Tuesday night to take on their crosstown rivals, the Pacific Lutheran Lutes. Despite the Lute’s position toward the bottom of the Northwest Conference standings, the game turned out to be closer than expected.

In the first half, UPS was dominant in rebounding but was unable to turn those extra opportunities into points. In addition to their trouble capitalizing on their eleven offensive rebounds, they shot barely over 35 percent from the field. The Loggers’ unfortunate poor accuracy resulted in a game that went back and forth exchanging leads so often that it was dizzying.

As the half drew to a close with the Lutes leading 35-33, victory was within reach for both teams. However, the Lady Loggers made it quite clear that they did not intend to allow PLU to walk away with the upset. that at halftime the team reflected on their goals and what it would take to reach them: “We spoke about our lack of competitive

SUPERBOWL

spirit—something the coach- Wash.) added 10 points for the The Cats came into Friday’s ing staff would not tolerate. We Loggers. The second half was game off of a 5-game conferspoke about what was at stake.” decidedly one-sided with the ence losing streak and their luck Head coach Suzy Barcomb said Loggers outscoring the Lutes didn’t improve at all when the With this reminder fresh in 42-19 and earning their tenth Loggers came to town. Linfield their minds, the Loggers were conference win of the season led for most of the first half and able to hammer out the prob- (17-3 overall). In doing so, the were up by nine with 9:23 left in lems and came out the half. But the firing on all cylinLady Loggers ralders in the second lied and, with a last half. UPS improved second 3-pointer to 18 of 28 from

by Laura Hirsch, the floor including tied the game at an impressive 6 of 29-29 going into 9 from beyond the the locker-room arc.

Meanwhile, for halftime.

PLU stumbled, “They were redropping to 7 of ally physical and 22 shooting with a scrappy,” Chase spattering of costly said. But the turnovers in the fiWildcats could nal minutes. not resist the exThe Loggers plosive scoring didn’t miss a beat. of the Loggers UPS went on and the tie didn’t ASUPS PHOTO SERVICES/Gloria Treseder stand for long. It a scoring spree Women’s basketball is proving they are one of the best. which resulted in took only forty four players scoring seconds for the Logdouble-digits, including 6’ senior Loggers improved to first place gers to regain the lead. post Marissa Cain (Tacoma, in the Northwest Conference.

UPS pulled away on account Wash.) who ended the night UPS rode that wave of mo- of a dazzling performance by with 28 points and 7 rebounds. mentum into McMinnville on Morgan Harter which produced Senior forward Morgan Harter Friday when they matched up 12 of her game-high 19 points in (Edmonds, Wash.) and senior against the Linfield Wildcats. the second half. With 2:54 left in guard Laura Hirsch (Corval- Junior post Karen Chase said the game, UPS took their biggest lis, Ore.) followed Cain with of Linfield, “they are always a lead of the game with a score 15 and 12 respectively, while tough team, and they are not of 60-46. A number of missed junior Karen Chase (Yakima, one to back down.”

Logger jump shots dwindled the CONT. FROM PAGE 14

certainly no longer be con- mouth you perv, hitting him the perfect drive to end the sidered an “other.” And just in his mouth!) the entire game perfect season. like his mono-syllabic name there’s no way the Giants So it’s only fitting that the seems to suggest, the new Su- come close to come out World ensuing Giants drive that per Bowl MVP is in a class by Champs after being dubbed ended the Patriots pursuit of himself. the fourth biggest underdog perfection was anything but There is most definitely no in Super Bowl history. perfect. other Eli Manning.

Well I ask where was Eli’s Why don’t we just call it The Don’t believe me? Just ask defense with 7:54 remaining “Other” Drive. his former college coach at Ole in the game?

Eli went 5-4 for 70 yards, Miss, David Cutcliffe, about Where were Michael Stra- was sacked once, awkwardly the confidence that oozes out han, Osi Umenyiora and sprinted for 5 yards on a play, of Eli in private.

Justin Tuck when it matter and would have had to explain After talking with Eli on most? Brady passed 11 times how he got out of a tomb the Saturday night Patriots creatbefore the big ed for him on game, Cutca third down liffe said there play with just was “no doubt” over a minute in his mind remaining to that the Giants Houdini. would topple David Tyree the Patriots. made The But you “Other” Catch, laughed at that Plaxico Burblasphemy ress made The didn’t you? You “Other” Juke. scoffed at the The rest is hisnotion that the tory. football God’s And of would let the course you Goliath Patrican’t help but ots be tumbled draw compariphoto courtesy of Nfl.com sons to Super by a David like Eli and his Eli Manning proved that David could beat Goliath on Super Sunday. Bowl XXXVI appropriately for a variety of named Giants. reasons, but comIn fact you still don’t believe in the Patriots final scoring paring the last drives is what Eli Manning was solely re- drive and wasn’t pressured I’ve been spending my nights sponsible for winning Super on any one of those occa- doing – I’m a senior; I’ve got Bowl XLII do you? sions. spare time.

He got lucky you say. All Where were Aaron Ross, I seem to remember a certain this mumbo jumbo about Eli Sam Madison and R.W. quarterback besting shopping being in a league of his own is McQuarters when Eli really bagger-turned-superstar Kurt just over-glorified Super Bowl needed them? Brady com- Warner despite a drive in which rhetoric from a kid who hasn’t pleted 10 out of those 11 he was just 5-3 for 53 yards and been around for the real great passes for 71 yards, includ- didn’t even score a touchdown. ones. ing a touchdown to Moss Adam Vinatieri sealed it for You say Eli’s just a benefi- that left Corey Webster him and they said that was the ciary. If it weren’t for his de- “Free Fallin” to the ground. best Super Bowl ever.

To be quite frank, as you fense hitting Tom Brady in Now if I could just remember the place that has explored watched Eli Manning trot that quarterback’s name. the Eighth Wonder of the back out onto the field you • Will Holden is back baby. Oh World (I’m talking about his thought, well I guess it was behave!

BASEBALL

lead to 10 but the victory was already secured.

With the pair of victories, the Loggers maintain their shared lead of the Northwest Conference with George Fox University.

However, coach Barcomb is not taking anyone in the conference lightly saying, “We are not the only team to beat in the NWC— our conference is tough.”

And she is absolutely right. The next three games for the Loggers have them matching up against the three teams fighting for third place and a spot in the conference playoffs. Coach Barcomb intends to meet them head-on with a lock-down defensive philosophy.

“A conference title is going to be earned with defense—you’ve got to be able to shut down your opponents,” she said, and with none of their last eleven opponents scoring more than 56, it truly is plausible.

The Women’s basketball team continues their road tour with a trip to Walla Walla to face the Whitman Missionaries on Friday.

“When you’re on the road,” Barcomb says “you circle the wagons and get energy and strength from teammates and coaches.”

•Brian Walker is the newest member of the Trail Sports staff. Be nice.

CONT. FROM PAGE 14

batting order should not have fense in the same game. If the an easy out from top to bot- team can mesh well together tom.” and put forth coordinated efNewland himself isn’t an easy forts consistently, they can put out, to say the least. Last sea- up a lot of wins. That’s why son, he hit .302 with 10 home they’ve been determined to runs and 32 RBIs in 38 games. have fun with preseason trainHe has the ing in spite of second most the weather. home runs “We don’t in a single treat baseseason at ball like it’s UPS, one an ongoing behind now grind, we head coach look forward Brian Billto practice ings. and get“Besides ting better 1-2 conas individutributors als and as a last year we team,” Olsen have our said.

“We same core the captains of players as well as that helped the coaches us back in try to make the line-up,” baseball as Photo Courtesy of UPS athletics fun as posOlsen, said who plays G Beck is ready to rock in 2008. sible while outfield. at the same Alongside time getting Olsen, the other three captains the most out of our situation are Gustafson, Kiriu, and New- during this early season rain.” land. As a co-captain, part of The team is aware that the Olsen’s role is to form the team dichotomy between the offense into a cohesive unit. and the pitching and defense “We have very good leader- can be problematic, yet they ship on this team. Our cap- remain optimistic that they can tains won’t hesitate to speak contend for the conference title up when they see something if they play as a unit. wrong. Our four captains have “The key to winning the seen a lot of baseball in their title this year is getting a focareers and know a lot about cused effort from everybody the game and that helps with and concentrating throughout the amount of youth we have the entire weekend,” Newland on the team. We are having a said. “We have the talent and lot more fun this year; from the the drive to make a run at the get go we have developed really championship, it’s just a matter good team chemistry and it’s of playing up to our potential.” showing.”

Good team chemistry is im•Zack Stoddard’s whole weekend portant, as the Loggers have was ruined after the baseball game had trouble getting offense was rained out. working with pitching and de-

Sports

The Trail

16

February 15, 2008

Women’s swimming ends eleven-year dominance at conference championships

By Will Holden wholden@ups.edu Sports Writer

ASUPS PHOTO SERVICES/Paul Wicks

The men set a new NWC record for the 400 meter medley.

Every sports fan wants their team to form a lasting legacy of greatness.

Lucky for Logger fans, the UPS women’s swimming team has delivered 11 years of delight.

But the magic finally ran out in year 12 as Whitworth put an end to one of the most storied runs in NWC sporting history as they downed the Loggers 793-692 for the NWC title.

Funny, though, how athletes from storied programs never seem to let anything get them down.

“We have nothing to hang our heads about,” senior Amy Polansky (Menomonie, Wis.) said.

“If we’re performing this well and they still come out ahead, it means that we have some incredible swimmers in our conference,” senior Sarah Mirick (Chaska, Minn.) said. “That’s great for the NWC.” Whitworth had several record performances throughout the meet, including Natalie Turner who won three events and set a meet record with her time of 17:28.98 in the

1650 freestyle and Division III record holder Samantha Kephartput who swept the 100 and 200 Butterfly events for the fourth straight year.

But it was the five additional first-place victories and key top-8 finishes that secured the Pirates’ booty.

“In the past (Whitworth) relied a lot on a few great swimmers,” Mirick said. “But this year their depth was crucial.”

The Loggers didn’t finish without proving they had some depth of their own, though, especially in the relays.

The UPS 400 Medley team of Leesa Cotton (Keizer, Ore.), Polansky, Mac MacAfee (Los Gatos, Calif.) and Katie Barton (Boise, Idaho) came out on top and the 200 Medley combination of Jessie Kuwada (Bellevue, Wash.), Polansky, MacAfee and Barton stole first place from Whitworth with a time of 1:50.49, just ahead of the Pirates’ 1:50.79.

“We weren’t expected to win those relays,” Cotton said.

“People said they were standing on the side of the pool getting goose bumps watching us win.”

The Loggers also showed they had talent.

Polansky walked away with two individual titles in the

100 and 200 Breast, finishing the 200 in a time of 2:27.65 – nearly six and one-half seconds faster than the second-place finisher.

Three Loggers – Polansky, Mirick and Cotton – came away with B-Cut times and a shot at the NCAA Championships.

UPS put their guts on display too.

In the 400 IM Mirick overcame a one-second deficit over the final 50 yards to down a Pirate with a time of 4:39.40.

Senior Johanna Root (Omak, Wash.) fought hard in an event she had little shot to win, the 50 Free, and gave her team a coveted top-8 finish, making a one second improvement on her personal best in the process.

So say second place is the first loser. Say this is the team that ended a dynasty. But in its place, these never-say-die athletes might have created a new legacy.

“We talked a lot about being gracious winners and gracious losers as a team this year,” Mirick said. “We didn’t win it all but we had a great team dynamic and hopefully that’s part of what we leave behind.”

• Will Holden worked on this article until the last minute.

Men’s swimming takes second place

By Will Holden wholden@ups.edu Sports Writer The men were also oneupped by the Pirates, who, with six consecutive NWC crowns, are building a legacy of their own.

But this young Loggers squad, a third place finisher last year, fought the Pirates without a point-scoring senior on their roster and feel they are one step closer to becoming streak-killers too.

“We were in the thick of it on the last day,” sophomore Aaron Hughes (Ruston, Wash.) said.

“It’s unfortunate we didn’t come out on top but that’s right where we want to be.”

There also appears to be room for optimism in the statistical fine print.

“In points per swimmer we came out ahead,” junior Paul Hughes (Ruston, Wash.) said.

“It’s tough because we’re basically competing with three classes to [Whitworth’s] four.”

But just like the women, even in the face of adversity the men stood tall. And also like the Logger ladies, the men relied on the relays to keep them in the hunt.

In the first race of the meet, the 200 Free Relay, the Logger team of Bret Schluederberg, the Hughes brothers and Garrett Shields (Anacortes, Wash.) started UPS off strong as they downed Whitworth by sixtenths of a second with a time of 1:25.29.

The team of Jackson Kowals-

ki (Keizer, Ore.), Paul Hughes, Shields, and Schluederberg also bested the Pirates in the 400 Medley Relay for the top spot and set a meet record of 3:26.99.

And the Hughes brothers eliminated the Pirates entirely from the dispute for the top spot in the 100 Breast as the duo finished 1-2.

“Those two are fun to watch swim,” Schluederberg said.

Lucky for Schluederberg, if he wants more Paul Hughes he can hop on a plane to Oxford, Ohio, the site of this year’s NCAA’s, as Hughes’ 56.14 in the 100 Breast – an NWC record and the second-fastest time in the nation this season – automatically qualified him to compete in the season’s final stage.

Aaron could be making nationals a family affair after posting a B-Cut time of 58.03 in his second place finish.

Kowalski might be tagging along with the brothers too if his B-Cut times in two Backstroke events get him through.

Kowlaski was the victor in the 200 Back with a time of 1:54.02 and came in second in the 100 Back with a time of 52.97.

• Will Holden looks great in a speedo.

Final Score

Men: Whitworth 703.5, UPS 601 Women: Whitworth 793, UPS 692

ASUPS PHOTO SERVICES/Sam Armocido

The University of Puget Sound Swim team worked hard the entire season but came up just short.