Professional Documents
Culture Documents
November 2, 2012
www.MSUBretort.org
t's that time again. You know that time, comes every so often, and you swear up and down that you're going to get out there and, you guessed it, vote! School elections, state and local elections, and national elections. All of these elections affect you and everybody you know. The ASMSUB elections are important to us students, as it is the student senate that vote on what our activities fee goes to pay for, and they have power over approving new fees every two years. Local and State elections have a lifetime impact on you. The people that get elected and the initiatives on the ballot decide everything from if Montana will have a sales tax, to whether or not someone else's religious views can decide if you can have a certain medical procedure. I shouldn't even have to tell you how important the national elections are. Sadly, if voter turnouts in the last election for our age groups
According to the U.S. Census, there are nearly 2 million more people ages 65-74 voting than there are in the 18-24 age group. Do you really want that age group casting the deciding vote on your future?
are anything to go by, I do. Not only are you voting for who will be our president, which also affects who sits on the supreme court, but you will also be voting for our representatives in congress. Do you want more people that believe corporations are people and that their reli-
gious views trump your secular rights. Yet, if the 2008 election is anything to go by, only 44% of you will be at the polls this year. According to the US Census, there are nearly 2 Million more people ages 6574 voting then there are in the 18-24 age group. Do you really want that age group casting the deciding vote on your future? I sure don't. Ryan Shore, the Political Action Director, has worked very hard this semester, organizing the debates that took place earlier this semester. He is also planning on having a legislative dinner for candidates in yellowstone county that get elected to state legislature. They will be sitting down with approximately 4-5 students per representative. To give them something to remember us by, to show them what they are voting on and who they are voting for. Isaiah Garrison, ASMSUB President had a lot to say on the subject. In the [Spring 2011] election, it was 4-5% of the student body. Then my election [Spring 2012] it was
8% of the student body. We doubled the voter turnout. They did double the voter turnout for the ASMSUB spring election, which is quite the feat, but it's still appalling that voter turnout at MSUB is still in the single digits. Now don't try to tell me that you didn't have time, or were unable to come to campus to vote. You were able to vote from any internet connected computer in the world. More of you probably vote regularly for american idol contestants, but you can't be bothered to vote for who is going to represent you in your school, in your communities, and in congress. This year, the ASMSUB is going to hold forums and debates with candidates again. The Retort will be watching the candidates closely and will be interviewing them. We wont tell you who to vote for, but we will tell you who you can vote for and what their stance on the important issues is. So look forward to that next semester.
Montana Ballot Measures: LR-120 would require parental notification for minors seeking abortions. No exceptions for minors that come from abusive homes or are pregnant due to incest. LR-121 would require a person to prove their citizenship status before they could receive certain services from the state, such as licenses, state employment, unemployment or disability benefits. LR-122 would prohibit the personal mandate section of the Affordable Care Act from applying to Montana citizens. IR-124 would place the legislative revision of the 2004 Medical Marijuana Act (which was passed by the voters of montana) to a vote, instead of making it a law automatically. I-166 would establish a state policy that corporations are not people with constitutional rights, and charges Montanas elected and appointed officials with implementing that policy, thus overruling Citizens United. candidates for legislature; youll be glad you did. There are also six initiatives being presented on this ballot that will have a direct effect on womens health, family values, and businesses across the state of Montana. For more information on these initiatives and their possible effect on the state, visit www.sos. mt.gov. Students, we have all run out of excuses for avoiding voting on November 6. The university system across the state has given us the day off from classes to vote, the information to become informed is literally at our fingertips online, and if you are not registered, you live in a state that will allow you to register even on Election Day at the polls. Take the time, opportunity, and freedom you have inherited to vote this next week. Our state, and, yes, even our country, depend upon it.
ovember 6th is coming quickly, tensions are running high, and day-to-day commercials for both radio and television have been replaced with an onslaught of political attack ads. Students and friends, we are in the last week of the storm we call Decision 2012, and this is when the winds blow their hardest and the rains pour out across the country. Your doors are being beat down by the fists of canvassers pushing for their candidates agenda and pining for your vote. But why does any of it matter? Why the aggressive pursuit of votes? And why should you go vote? The simple answer: Theres so much at stake. Understanding what is at stake is key to understanding how and why your vote will count this election. Looking at the federal landscape of electing or re-electing a president for this country seems
daunting, considering we are in a state that supplies three electoral votes out of the total 538 electoral votes up for grabs. The number is indeed small, but not insignificant. Consider what is at stake for the future of our country over the course of the next four years. It is likely that the individual holding the office of the president this coming session will be selecting at least one if not two new Supreme Court justices. Health problems and the inevitable progression of age are forcing key justices to consider retirement and leaving the Court. The Supreme Court is known for voting very closely along ideological or party lines. That vote is usually split five to four. The court currently consists of four judges who could be considered liberal, four who are more conservative, and one who has been essentially more moderate, making the deciding votes on
many issues. The Supreme Court is the highest law in the land and has put into effect many controversial laws, including Roe vs. Wade, which legalizes forms of abortion and has been used as a political football and positioned at the forefront of political platforms, separating one candidate from another for decades. A more recent example is the Affordable Health Care Act. Some might know this better as the largely controversial Obamacare. This law that is now in place aims to provide medical coverage for those who cannot afford
traditional health insurance and to assist those in need of medical care. The law went through the Supreme Court this last summer and narrowly passed after a month of deliberations on a five to four vote. The Affordable Health Care Act in itself is yet another reason why voting this next week will be a factor in your future. The two candidates on the presidential ballot have differing views on the healthcare law. The current President intends to keep the law and move forward with it as planned. The challenger, aiming to make his way into the White House, has vowed to repeal the law claiming that it brings more harm than good to an economy that has been struggling to move forward. Beyond the healthcare law, this election has been driven by the economic struggles the country has been facing. Jobs have been scarce and unemployment has plagued many
college students around the country. Yet another reason why voting in this election might hit close to home this year. There may be many reasons to vote in our presidential election, but why vote for state and local races? Those signs in yards, billboards on streets and people knocking on your doors are more than just redundant eye candy to make your morning drive to school more entertaining or to be the interruptions in the middle of your dinner. These men and women and their votes - now bear with me while I butcher the sacred cow of politics - are more important to your immediate future than the President of the United States will ever be. That man or woman knocking at your door may be voting on passing a law in Helena that could provide a newly renovated science building on the MSU Billings campus this January, or for that matter, voting against it. Read up on your district
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t is that time of year when we are bombarded with ads about who is the best, worst, the brightest and most dim-witted. Yes, it is election season and The Retort is excited to introduce to you our first Election themed issue. We hope this issue sparks intelligent conversations, teaches you something you didnt know or at least gets some mental juices flowing. I am excited to have MSUB senate members so involved with The Retort because they are, after all, another voice for the student body- check out our front cover for an article by MSUBs PAD, Ryan Shore. If some of you are like me and just want
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Dan Carter Leah Campbell Jared Hammer James Dean Hickman Jennifer Otis Chris Claus Patricia Hampton Cory Lovec Serene Crees Tabby Maust Paulina Carrillo Tiff Hall Holly Daniels Kendra Carter Amy Tackett
SMSUB was recently visited by Regent Todd Buchanan of the Board of Regents. The Board of Regents (BOR) is a board comprised of seven members which makes policy decisions regarding all of Montanas public universities. Buchanan was enthusiastic about having the opportunity to introduce himself to the members of the Senate. While tuition costs are currently low, and access to the universities is high, the average student graduates after six years of enrollment. Currently, the board is looking into subsidizing a three-year degree program to address this average graduation rate, encouraging students to enroll in more credits per semester and finish their degrees sooner. With respect to financing, Financial Bills one and two were voted on by the Senate. Financial Bill one was regarding NAfMEC attending a music education conference in Great Falls. Financial Board recommended that the Senate pass the bill for the full requested amount of $1493.25 for twelve students to attend the conference. Senate passed the bill with a vote of fourteen for, two against, and one abstention. Financial Bill two concerned HEROES and their request for $1,300 to attend the BACCHUS conference in Florida. In addition to two students attending and representing the university, Trinity Halverson, HEROES advisor, will be presenting at the conference. Financial Board suggested that the bill be passed for the full amount. The bill was passed fourteen for, zero against, with two abstentions. President Isaiah Garrison
For the etiquette portion of the evening, Sodexo invited Martin Bustamante from Gonzaga University to present these important skills, instruct in the proper set-up and use of the plates, glasses, and cutlery on the table, and answer any questions that individuals had on appropriate behavior at a business dinner. The food itself was presented in five courses, beginning with a creamy Butternut Squash Soup, served to each individual in a gourd a unique a decorative alternative to the traditional bowl. The second course was a grilled peach salad over mixed greens, with a blue cheese wheel and honey vinaigrette dressing, accompa-
nied by a roll. Students and hosts then cleansed their pallets with the Intermezzo a lemon lavender sorbet, with sparkling grape juice served in a champagne flute. The entre itself roasted garlic rack of lamb with sun dried tomato tapenade, cous cous pine nut timbale and spice carrot puree followed. During the time that dinner was being eaten, Bustamante paused, and students and employers engaged in conversation ranging from the dinner itself, to business and academics. The evening was concluded with the dessert, a caramel apple crme brule served with coffee, and photographs.
e a doer, not a knower. These were the words that Montana State University Billings student leaders were urged to keep in mind this year during the annual Student Leadership Night Dinner. This years Dinner traditionally having been hosted in the Ballroom on the Main Campus was held at the Downtown Campus on Friday, October 19, 2012, from 5:30pm until about 7:30pm. Student Leadership Night was organized by the administrators of Student Life and Activities to encourage student leaders from various organizations on campus to get to know one another to facilitate collaboration throughout the year, and to begin the process of strengthening their relationships. The evening began at 5:30 with fruit, bacon-wrapped chicken, and other appetizers, accompanied by a sherbet served in champagne flutes. Students mingled around the high-top tables, eating and socializing for approximately forty-five minutes. While students did enjoy socializing with their peers, some felt that the length of time should be shortened in the future to move the evening along a little bit.
up. He attended the University of Hawaii, after which he enjoyed creating culinary art in various parts of the country, including several state parks. He was also a chef here in Billings at the former Sheraton Hotel. He likes to take the outside world and mix it with the best of Montana, especially wild game, as highlighted by the menus tantalizing selections like elk, pheasant, and buffalo selections. With all the richness of Bensons history and food, I highly recommend that you lavish your taste buds with their extravagantly flavorful cuisine!
I like to use native wild game and mix in Featured Club: The Saudi Club something new.
Photos by Serene Crees
-Chef Bird
here are a lot of great clubs on campus, but one in particular caught my eye. The Saudi Club was formed in April 2012, and has some very admirable goals: to support both the students from Saudi Arabia in their educational endeavors and to introduce the rest of MSUB students to the Saudi culture. All students are welcome to, and encouraged to attend their meetings and the various events they put on each semester, such as the Saudi Cultural Event they held on the 27th, where students were invited to learn more about the Saudi culture, MSUB student, Laura-Ashlee religion, cuisine, and music. Twiford is decked out for the Halloween Dance. Look forward to a review of an appearance. The event was well attended, with approxi- that event in the next issue of mately eighty in students during the busiest point in the eve- The Retort. ning, and at least fifty students remained through the last song. Any student consider-
ing doing a semester abroad, should take the time to attend the Saudi club meetings and events. What better way to get to know people from other cultures than to talk to them. They are more than willing to get to know you, and to teach you more about them and where they come from. So, next time you see the Saudi students walking down the halls, go ask them when their next meeting or event is. The Saudi club is for everybody: students, professors, people from all over the world. Check out their Facebook page for more information on upcoming events and get in touch with them: http:// www.facebook.com/pages/ Saudis-in-Billings/
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Dear Tiff, I know you normally give advice on personal matters, but I was wondering if you could maybe explain what the Electoral College is, why we have it, and if my vote even matters in the grand scheme of things. -Electoral College Illiterate Dear Electoral College Illiterate, I am happy to answer any question as long as I can find the answer. In regards to the Electoral College, you are not alone in your confusion. In fact, I have heard that it is the most asked question regarding politics. 1) The Electoral College is a body of electors that are chosen to represent the greater public in electing our president and vice president. Our Electoral College is an example of indirect election and is made up of the 435 members of the Senate, the 100 members of The House of Representatives and the 3 electors from the District of Columbia. Each state has a specific number assigned to them based on their representation in each branch of the government and that number is based on population. 2) The Electoral College was put in place mainly because our founding fathers didnt completely trust true democracy. They felt that it was dangerous to the people to leave the election entirely in their hands. They feared that if they did, some groups might over power others and eventually could grow into factions large enough to intimidate the smaller groups. If this happened, this could throw the entire election. 3) Your vote does count. When you vote, those who have been elected into the office of Senate or a Representative will cast their votes based on how the majority place their votes. There are some states that dont have laws that require them to pledge vote based on the popular vote (26 to be exact). However, Montana is not one of those states so you can be
assured that those who are in our electoral college are required to vote based on Montanas majority vote. For a full list and more details on this question, please see http:// w w w.a r c h ive s.gov/fe de r al-register/electoral-college/ laws.htm. To read about the Electoral College in further detail or to find out more about politics and the upcoming election, please check out the following sites. http://www.archives.gov/ federal-register/electoral-college/faq.html http://factcheck.org/ http://presidentialcandidates2012.com/ Dear Tiff, Every election year I get overwhelmed, discouraged, and frankly quite irritated because there is NEVER someone I actually want to vote for; there just simply isnt anyone out there who truly represents me. So, how do you find the truth, and once you do, how can you really find someone that represents you? -Politically Confused Dear Politically Confused, I can truly relate to how you feel. I often feel like I am choosing between the lesser of two evils when I am in that little cubical. I have found that instead of going by what the candidates are saying about themselves or what people are saying about them, I let the facts speak for themselves; I look at their voting record. Let us not live with just word or tongue, but in deed and in truth! What I am trying to say is: Words are a dime a dozen, but Actions speak louder than words. So then, if we look at each of their voting records, which would be way too much to print, so here are the websites for you to peruse at your leisure: http://w w w.ontheissues. org/Barack_Obama.htm http://w w w.ontheissues. org/Mitt_Romney.htm As you can see, their voting record speaks much more
early 2500 runners lined up Saturday, October 27, to travel a 5K course while being bombarded with color bombs. Color Me Rad came to Billings and invited racers to have a colorfully fun time while raising money for our local YMCA. While some serious runners came decked out in full gear, most people could be find out in varying states of white-themed costume to provide the cleanest canvas to be painted as well as to invoke the Halloween spirit. Tutus, Haz-Mat suits, animal ears and tails, and even zombie faces were abound. Color Me Rad, an organization which travels all over North America to provide a colorful alternative to typical bake sale style fundraising, set up a race course that sprawled all over the Metra fairgrounds and parking lot. An emcee shouted hilarious and mostly inappropriate commentary over pulsating dance club style music while participants sipped hot chocolate or refreshments from the beer garden as they waited for the race to begin. Color packets were sprayed over the crowd in a steady stream, some torn open and showered in immediately. The mostly white-clad crowd could have their before photos taken at a photo booth, or purchase extra color packets to make the journey more interesting. Shortly after 11am, racers were released in waves to prevent bottle-necking, and along the way encountered five different color stations where they were bombed with yellow, purple, green, blue and pink corn starch. Open to
truthfully then what they or anyone else could say to make them sound better so you will vote for them. In regards to you not feeling like you can find a candidate that represents you, well, it is rare that anyone can say they completely agree with someone 100%. So, rather than aim for the impossible, sit down and come up with your top five must haves and your additional top ten wish list.Once you do this, come up with your top five cant stands and your top ten dislike list. Then go through each candidates voting record and see which ones match up to what you stand for.
all age groups and fitness lev- last color packet to hold on to. els, the crowd varied in age As people completed the race, from babies in strollers to se- they were refreshed with wanior citizens. There were even ter and granola bars and ina couple dogs, although they vited to continue to party in had no place to bin their race their new brightly colored bibs. As the runners looped state. Many visited the photo around the Metra, their once- booth to follow up with their pristine clothing was sprayed, after pictures. Once the splotched, and streaked in a crowd grew large again, color rainbow of tie-dye from vol- showers went off every fifunteer color bomb squads. teen minutes or so, in which Upon crossing the finish everyone drew together and line, runners were given one tossed their color packets in
the air at the same time, creating a multi-colored cloud that was much more enjoyable from the outside. The festivities wrapped up shortly before the snowflakes began falling in Billings, and I think everyone was glad to get in from the cold and soak their race-wear in vinegar to preserve the colorful memories of a fun morning..
October-November 2012
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
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Billings Bulls Hockey @ 7:35pm : Centennial Ice Arena
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Registration for Spring SemesMarketplace ter 2013 Begins
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ELECTION DAY
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Honors Reflections and @ 6:00pm Beartooth
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Men's BasketState @ 7:00 pm
Submit an
Magic @ MetraPark
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Men's Basketball vs. Chadron State @ 7:00 pm
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No Classes, Offices Closed Men's Basketball vs. University of Great Falls @ 7:00 pm
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SAB Comedian Jessi Campbell
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American Indian Outreach MonthFree popcorn in the LA Building 11-1
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5pm Rimrock Caf
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Holiday Food and Gift Festival @ MetraPark
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Union Night: Monday Night Football 7pm Theatre
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Last Day to Drop a Class with Approval of Advisor and Course Instructor
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Christina University @ 5:30
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town Billings 7pm
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Notre Dame De Namur (Tournament Game):
@ Moss Mansion $5 Mens Basketball vs Colorado Holiday Parade: Down- Womens Basketball vs.
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Tchaikovskys Nutcracker Ballet @ Alberta Bair: 7pm
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Honors Talent Expo 4:00pm Upper Galleria
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Eagle Mount 2012 Winter Ski Film Fest 7pm
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e t ri d t to g l d n a W me o of so ? Post s b o o k h e r e. t hem
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Need an excuse to put off doing your homework? Look here: THERES SOMETHING TO DO EVERYDAY!
Jaclyin
1) Yes. 2) "Obama I think that everybody gives him a bad rep but really like its more the supreme court and the senate that make things move so slow." 3) "Make sure you vote because it is our responsibility and we have a say so, so we should use it!"
Mary Ann
1) Yes. 2) "Obama. I like what he stands for and I think he is trying to do what is right. I beleive he has been roadblocked in some ways and thats why change has not been that noticeable." 3) You need to vote! If you dont vote, dont complaine. A government of "the people" requires participation."
Nathan
1) Yes. 2) "Im an independant voter but I am planning on voting for Obamma because I believe that the Republicans are using old tactics that have failed before and that the Demacrats have new ideas that when taken into effect will work in the long run. I think its going to take more than four years for his plans to make any real effect." 3) "To go out on your own reguardless of what party your family is affiliated with. That they need to look at the facts and look deeper into the issues instead of letting the commercials and media make your decisions for you....really do your own research."
Michelle
1) Yes. 2) "I am not planning on voting because its not really up to the people. Yes they have an opinion and have a say, but its really up to the electoral college so I find it pointless...but I do vote for the state elections because I think its important to have a voice." 3) "The people you pick are the people who make the final decisions so its really important to go out and vote and also to make sure you do your research."
Carissa
1) Yes. 2) "Im voting for the green party. They havent pissed me off yet and both Obama and Romeny have said things I strongly disagree with." 3) "Do your research! Dont vote based on who other people are voting for. Do your research, read up on each candidate, watch the debates and from your own opinion on them."
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Undecided Voters: What Vote with your vagina do you need to decide? L
Holly Daniels Contributing Writer Holly Daniels Contributing Writer
ably try meeting some real women instead of just watching Leave It To Beaver reruns. Lets say that even after that you are still undecided. Maybe you don't want to be a single issue voter. Maybe you don't know where the candidates really stand on the issues because you have a hard time telling when somebody is lying. Maybe you just don't want to spend more than ten minutes working at your civic duty because thinking is really hard and you want to look at cats on the internet. Well you're in luck, there's a website that will do all of the work for you! Simply go to www.isidewith.com and answer a few simple questions. The website will then tell you who you should vote for based on your response. Even if you aren't yet registered to vote you are still in luck because you live in the state of Montana! In Montana you can actually register to vote up to 5:30 pm on election day. All you have to do is bring an ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or student ID to the county election office down the street and they will get you registered. The county election office is located in the Yellowstone county courthouse on the corner of 27th and 4th. If you have any other questions about registering to vote, you can visit the Secretary of State's website at sos.mt.gov/elections/ Vote/index.asp. So, what are you waiting for? You figured out who to vote for and you're registered; now get to the polls and pick the next leader of the nation! adies, men who love ladies, everybody who knows ladies, listen up. There is a fight going on in Washington right now and we need to pay close attention to it. The fight is the same fight that has been fought by our mothers and grandmothers, but the fight has not been won, not yet. We are still fighting for equality and control over our own destinies. If you are your own person, with your own thoughts, feelings, desires, and will, then you need to make yourself heard. There is a war on women being waged and it is far from imaginary. Currently there are a number of politicians out there who are either completely ignorant about women's rights and health and there are even more who just don't care. Hopefully by now everybody has learned about Todd Akin's idea that when women are raped we can magically shut off our uterus, although if that were true, I don't know why we wouldn't just leave it off until we wanted to use it. However, the women in Montana don't have the ability to vote for or against Todd Akin. We do have the ability to vote for or against Rick Hill, who happens to be just as ignorant when it comes to women and their health. The recent health care bill, known as Obamacare, contained a provision that made it illegal for insurance companies to charge women more money simply for being women. Rick Hill thinks that its just fine and dandy to charge women more for insurance and doesn't think their insurance should have to cover birth control, although he seems to have no problem with insurance covering Viagra (1). If you have a vagina, or like vaginas, or like somebody who has a vagina, you would be better off voting for Steve Bullock. One of the most tightly contested races in the country right now is between Denny Rehberg and Jon Tester. Now there are plenty of reasons not to vote for Rehberg, the guy is a straight up jerk who is controlled by big oil, but if you have a vagina, you only need this one reason. He thinks we're making it up. He doesn't believe there is a war on women. Never mind that we're still fighting just to get paid the same amount as men or that some insurance companies still refuse to cover our lady parts, he thinks we're just being silly women, getting all worked up over nothing (2). What we need to get worked up over is Denny Rehberg and his obliviousness to our struggle just to gain equal footing. The biggest decision we can make this election season though is who gets to be the next President of the United States. The choice on this one is pretty clear if you're a woman, or if you know any women, or if you like women. Barack Obama decided that one of the very first things that he would do as soon as he became President was to sign the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law. What this act does is allow women to sue over being paid less for the same work, and makes it so that we can sue as soon as we find out about it, no matter how long it has been go-
very time election season rolls around I hear about this giant mass of undecided voters apparently roaming around trying to figure out how to organize their own thoughts into a coherent sentence and trying to keep from falling in open manholes. The very idea of being an undecided voter has never even made sense to me. If you are even the least bit self aware then you should have an idea of what you believe, things that you think are right or wrong, and a general idea about how you think things should be done. Apparently some people have no idea how they stand on any issue and can't even be bothered to find out where the candidates stand either. If you are undecided, it is really quite easy to make up your mind, especially in an ultra-polarized political climate such as the one that exists now. The process goes something like this: Pick an issue, any issue, make it a big one, decide how you feel about that issue, figure out which guy feels the same way you do, vote for that guy. Sim-
ple, right? Lets say we pick the issue of equal pay for women. That's a pretty big issue that has gotten quite a bit of press lately. Anybody that hasn't been living under a rock or deliberately not paying attention has heard that women only make about 2/3 of what men make doing the exact same job. Now, how do you feel about that issue? Do you think that women should be paid the same amount as men for doing the same work? Do you think that there should be legal protection that stops employers from paying some people less money based on which reproductive organs they were born with? If that's what you believe, then you should vote for Barack Obama. Or do you think that it is really a non-issue? Do you believe that there are legitimate reasons that men should make more money for doing the same job as women because women are probably leaving work early to go home and make dinner or whatever it is that women do? If that's what you believe, then you should vote for Mitt Romney, and also prob-
ing on (3). Barack Obama has also made it perfectly clear that he stands on the side of women's health. He is the one who implemented Obamacare and made sure that we don't have to pay more for insurance and that our insurance will cover all of our lady business (4). Mitt Romney can't seem to decide where he stands on women's health or pay. He's too busy trying to please everybody to even take a stand on one side or the other. Paul Ryan, his running mate, thinks the war on women is a joke. He recently said Now its a war on women; tomorrow its going to be a war on left-handed Irishmen or something like that (5). Hardy har har Ryan. You just think it's funny because you've never had to fight for the right to basic health care or needed to sue over being paid less than the guy doing the same job as you. The choice is clear. We need to make this a single issue that we vote on. We cannot take our rights for granted or the war that was fought by our mothers, our grandmothers, and even our great grandmothers was fought in vain. We need to get out there and vote with our vaginas. 1 http://www.prochoicemonta na.org /news/ press/20120821.shtml 2 http://www.jontester. com/news/2012/rehberg-onthe-war-on-women-i-dontget-it/ 3 http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Lilly_Ledbetter_Fair_ Pay_Act_of_2009 4 http://www.barackobama.com/womens-issues/ 5 http://www.washingt o n p o s t . c o m / b l o g s /e l e c t ion-2012/w p/2012/10/18/ at-fla-fundraiser-paul-ryanmocks-war-on-women/
hen I first glanced at the Ayn Onymous column in issue two, my heart skipped a beat. I was more than pleased to see a column by a conservative for conservatives until I actually read it. The article was riddled with putdowns and asinine comments directed towards the left. Socialist this, pinko-commie that. I honestly thought it may have been a joke until I
saw the same pattern continued in issue three. Im sorry to say this, but people like Ayn Onymous are the reason the right has a bad reputation for being overzealous bigots. I feel I need to express that not all conservatives are like Ayn Onymous.. I am very active in politics. I happen to be secretary of the Yellowstone County Republican Central Committee. Not to mention that I have at-
tended various meetings, dinners, fundraisers and conventions related to the Republican Party and liberty movement. I have even stood outside holding signs in freezing cold rain and snow on many occasions. And not to toot my own horn (okay maybe a little), but I made the list of the Top 30 Political Hotties of 2012 compiled by Eric Golub of Tygrrr Express. So I am not just some passive political nerd; Im fighting the good fight and these rash, hate-
ful comments from Ayn Onymous feel like a slap in the face for all the work I have done. I care more about actually practicing what I preach than ridiculing the other side, because that gets you nowhere. Whats sad is that there are plenty more conservatives like Ayn Onymous who are contributing to a party-wide breakdown. I dont have a problem with the ideals and liberties the author wants to protect, because I want to protect them too. I have a prob-
lem with the overall childish name-calling and abrasive language. It is extremely difficult to take seriously and I find it embarrassing. Ayn Onymous maybe you should tone it down. You are right that Thomas Paine didnt exactly tone it down, but he used much more eloquent language because it was meant to be inspiring. You are quite the opposite. Youre entitled to free speech, but do you really want to alienate your own kind? If
you want people to take you seriously, use logic, facts, and reason. Dont relentlessly bash the opposition because it only makes you look weak and vulnerable in your arguments, and its beside the point. You can do better. Unlike you, I wont be anonymous. I am proud of who and what I am and Im not afraid. If you ever see someone on campus wearing a Murray Rothbard shirt then you will know me. Come say hi sometime.
o you get enough sleep? As college students, I think most of us know that we do not get enough sleep. Some of us get four hours of sleep, some of us get between four and 6 hours of sleep, and some are even fortunate enough to get more than six hours of sleep. Those who get more hours of sleep obviously benefit more than those who dont. Some of these benefits include the ability to eat healthier, manage stress, be able to focus more in class, perform better on tests, and also have a better working memory. Although it is obvious that the opposite of these benefits happens if you
do not get enough sleep, there are far more serious consequences one can face. One problem that can result from not enough sleep is obesity. Recently, a study where 21 people were tested on how they function when receiving 10 hours of sleep and five hours of sleep had been conducted. The results of the study indicated that getting only five hours of sleep, decreased metabolism among participants and caused a spike in their blood glucose after eating. According to the researchers who conducted the study, this could result in gaining an extra ten pounds each year, while also increas-
they do not often enforce disciplinary rules. As a result of this, many of the average students, which are most students, do not really learn anything throughout high school. Instead of doing homework or reading the assigned chapters, most students decide not to do it because the teacher will not do anything about it; there is no consequence. Now, I am not saying I was one of those students that fell asleep in class. I was actually one of those students in AP and honors classes. The problem is that even though I was one of those students, I still cant say that anything I learned in high school prepared me for what I was about to face in college. Yes, we all analyzed articles and wrote long research papers, however, when we do these assignments in college, the professors explain how to do the as-
signment. Thus, doing these assignments in high school created no difference because we are just re-learning it in college, and that is not really called preparing. If this is the case for most students, then maybe there is something wrong in the U.S. education system. In other countries, high school seems to really help prepare students for college. For instance, when asked if she believed high school had prepared her for college, Montana State University Billings accounting major and international student from Korea, Eunjin Park, stated that in Korea high school is really good. It is really hard and school days are about 17 hours long. So, if you are not going to high school, then going to college is really hard." Shallowness permeates the media
hile winter nears in Billings, the Montana State University Billings men's golf team travels to Hilo, Hawaii, for the Dennis Rose Intercollegiate Tournament Sunday through Tuesday. The Yellowjackets are 17th in NCAA Div. II in average score per round according to GolfStat.com. SMU Billings is averaging 73.8 strokes per round. MSUB tops the country in par-five scoring, shooting an average of 4.7 on par five holes so far this season. This will be the final tournament for MSU Billings in its fall schedule. Our men are very focused and ready to compete, MSUB head coach Shawn O'Brien said. I know everyone will be excited because we are going to be playing in Hawaii, but they know it is a business trip until the tournament is over. Once the tournament is done, we can then relax and have fun. I believe
everyone on our team knows and understands what is at stake, as we are ranked 17th in the nation according to Golfstat. The MSU Billings' men's team is coming off of a team title at the MSUB Triangular. The Yellowjackets shot a school-record low round score of 271 in the first round before winning the title. Gage Huft was named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference men's golfer of the week for the second time of the season after taking the individual title with a 36-hole score of 135. The sophomore shot a GNAC season-best 64 in the opening round. We have had a couple weeks off, which has been a nice change, but I feel we prepared well and will perform to our potential, O'Brien said. The competition will be a great challenge. There are a lot of good teams in the west region and we will face many of them. This will be
wo days after upsetting the No. 22-ranked team in the country, the Montana State University Billings volleyball team fell at Northwest Nazarene University in four sets, 18-25, 22-25, 25-22, 22-25. The Crusaders (12-12, 5-8 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) jumped on MSU Billings early in the match and held off a Yellowjacket rally. Northwest Nazarene avenged a five-set loss in Billings from earlier this season. NNU entered the week losing five of its last six, but beat Seattle Pacific Thursday, and MSUB Saturday.
Becky Flores led NNU with 17 kills, while Carly Dranginis added 13 kills. Michelle Terpstra finished with 47 assists. Defensively, the Crusaders had five players finish with double-digit dig totals led by Linnea Phillips 16 digs. Taylor Roberts chipped in 14 digs, Elayna Rice and Kaitlyn Tuholski both had 12 digs, and Terpstra had 10 digs. Heather Allen finished with 10 kills and five blocks. Northwest Nazarene finished the match with a .264 hitting percentage, while
rom now until midApril, the 2012-2013 NBA season is going to be fully underway, and with the past few NBA seasons being some of the most popular and lucrative seasons ever, it seems as though the NBA is starting to gain some momentum in the sporting world. So why has the NBA increased in popularity? Well, whether most people like it or not, for the most part it has come down to the actions of one player: LeBron James. LeBron James is one of the most polarizing athletes in professional sports. Love him or hate him (and it seems there really is no happy medium) James has been great for the game of basketball since the day he came into the league. Although James was crowned King James while still a teenager, had to live up to the hype of being the next Michael Jordan, and then had to follow through on his famous Not one, not two, not three quote when introduced with the Miami Heat and forming the modern-day NBA Super Team. James has actually stayed a fairly even-keeled individual throughout. Finally last season LeBron won his first NBA Championship, and in reality had one of the greatest single seasons in NBA history (regular season MVP, MSUB had a .181 hitting per- NBA Finals MVP, and played centage. The Crusaders had very well in the playoffs over62 kills to MSU Billings' 52. all). In the first set, NNU trailed Of course, James and Mi5-4, but used a 6-0 run to begin to pull away from the Yel- a 23-15 lead before Northwest lowjackets. MSUB answered Nazarene made a late run, but with a 5-0 run to tie the score the Yellowjackets held on and at 10, but would never take won the set, 25-22. the lead. With the score tied Northwest Nazarene nevat 13, Northwest Nazarene er surrendered the lead in used a 5-0 run to make its de- the fourth set. MSU Billings cisive first frame run. Drangi- trailed 21-16, before it made nis capped the first set with a a 6-1 run to tie the score at kill to give the Crusaders the 22. But, the Crusaders scored 25-18 win. the final three points capped Set 2 went back-and-forth Terpstra kill for the 25-22 win. and featured 12 ties and four Three Yellowjackets (9lead changes. An Allen kill 11, 6-6 GNAC) finished with gave NNU a 10-6 lead, but double-digit kill totals. MoniMSU Billings went on a 6-2 ca Grimsrud had 17 kills, and run to tie the set. An attack er- Taylor Adams and Jody Lutz ror by the Crusaders moments contributed 14 and 13 kills. later gave the MSUB a 14-13 Kyndal Williams ended with advantage. It was the Yellow- a match-high 45 assists. Erin jackets last lead. Northwest Compton and Grimsrud had Nazarene made a late run, 24 and 14 digs, while Morgan changing a 18-18 score to 22- Moss added 11 digs. 18. NNU took the set, 25-22. After playing three straight Montana State Billings matches on the road, MSUB controlled the third set. NNU returns to Alterowitz Gym to had its only lead at 2-1, but it host Saint Martin's (6-11, 3-8) was the Yellowjackets that led on Saturday at 7pm. by as many as 11. MSUB had
a good indication of how well we have been playing if we perform well. I am excited for our men as I know how hard they have worked over the last two months to get where they are, now it is time to perform and enjoy the experience. The par-72, 7,074-yard Waikoloa Kings' Course will play long for the tournament field. MSUB, BYUHawaii, Chaminade (Hawaii), Hawaii-Pacific, Notre Dame de Namur (Calif.), Cal State-East Bay, Simon Fraser (B.C.), Saint Martin's (Wash.), and host HawaiiHilo, make up the seventh annual tournament field. Hawaii-Hilo is ninth in the Golfstat average score rankings at 73.33. No live scoring is available for the tournament, but check MSUBSports.com following each round for results. The men's tournament begins at 12:30 p.m. Hawaiian Time Sunday. Tee times begin Monday and Tuesday at 7 a.m.
n light of October being the month of baseball, and the month in which the Fall Classic (World Series) is played, I thought it would be fitting to compile a short list of historical facts pertaining to the MLB World Series: The first World Series of baseball took place in 1903 between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Americans. Boston won the Series 5-3. Only 3 of the last 22 teams to finish with the best record in baseball went on to win the World Series: the '09 Yankees, '07 Red Sox and '98 Yankees. This year will make it 3 out of 23 or barely more than 13 percent.
Don Larsen of the New York Yankees pitched the first and only perfect game in World Series history against the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956. The 1994 World Series was cancelled after baseball players went on strike in August of 1994. The Chicago Cubs have the longest streak of World Series futility - they haven't won a title since 1908. The New York Yankees have the most World Series victories with 27. The first World Series shown on television was the 1947 World Series between the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers.
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he Montana State University Billings men's basketball team was selected fifth in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference coaches' preseason poll Tuesday. The Yellowjackets are coming off an incredible run to the program's first ever GNAC Tournament title last season. MSUB went 18-12 overall and 10-8 in conference play in 2011-12. But, Montana State Billings returns only four players from last season's run and welcomes 11 new players to this year's roster. There were no Yellowjackets on the preseason All-Conference team. Like most coaches, I put little stock in the preseason rankings, MSU Billings' men's basketball head coach Jamie Stevens said. With that being said, I honestly feel like we are ranked entirely too high. We have eleven new players and only four returners. Off of last year's team, we lost over 80 percent of our production in points
Defending national champion, Western Washington had 90 points in second. The Vikings earned the other two firstplace votes. Seattle Pacific is really good, Stevens said. They return several of their top players, have signed several good recruits and are really well coached. Anyone of their top three or four guys could probably be a conference Player of the Year. If they play together, which they always seem to do, I really think that only one or two teams in our
league can beat them. Western Washington's John Allen was named the conference's preseason player of the year. The senior averaged 14.6 points per game and led the GNAC in free throw percentage in 201112. He was second team AllGNAC last year. Among the players back for the Falcons are guard David Downs and center Andy Poling, who both earned first team GNAC honors last season. Forwards Patrick Simon and Jobi Wall
joined Downs and Poling on the preseason team. Central Washington, which is picked to finish third this winter, and Alaska Anchorage, which finished fourth in the balloting, each placed two players on the preseason all-conference team. It's a great league and a great challenge for our program, Stevens said. We have no nights off, home or away. The top tier teams are as good as anybody in the country. Take Western
Washington, how often do you see a program win over 30 games, a national championship, return five of their top seven guys, and not be voted as the preseason favorite? Montana State Billings plays an exhibition at Rocky Mountain College on Oct. 31, before hosting its regular season opener against Black Hills State on Nov. 10.
he recent happenings involving Lance Armstrong have once again opened debate and talk about steroids in sports. Lance Armstrong is one of the most recognizable sporting figures to be accused of such steroid use. Since his battle with testicular cancer and comeback to cycling, followed by an unprecedented seven Tour de France titles, Armstrong has been a symbol of hope, courage, and perseverance to people of all ages, specifically to cancer survivors and those currently battling cancer. However, because it was determined in a 1,000-page report by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) that Armstrong was responsible for the most sophisticated, professionalized, and successful doping program that sport has ever seen, he was stripped of his seven Tour de France victories, and the public image of Armstrong has seemed to falter even more. But Lance was
roids would be tantamount to saying that the users have won; I believe that the records that were previously set, in a time where these drugs simply did not exist, are amazing facts of human accomplishment and illustrate the stretches of the human body, and that artificially enhancing what the body can do by allowing steroids for all would be very remiss of us as a society.
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All one needs is an iPhone to lead the way to your nearest treasure!
Caches can hold all sorts of small items, including everything from buttons to figurines.
No one says caches had to be big! This micro cache is about the size of one's pinky finger
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