The IUSB Job Fair

Tired of being a student and can’t wait to get out into the “real world” but overwhelmed of all the choices? Then let the choices come to you at the 2nd Annual INCC Career and Internship Fair held at the Student Activities Center on March 24th between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.. This allows students to browse the different companies as well as let the employers scope out the students’ potential. Those who have undecided majors are also welcome to attend. So what are you waiting for? Get your resumes ready and dive into a new career.

Resume need tweaked? The Career Services Office is offering walk-in appointments the week of the Fair (March 20-23) in room 117A of the Administration building starting at 8 a.m. (closing hours vary).

For More Information:
Visit: http:/www.iusb.edu/~iusbjf/jobseekerdayof.html
Contact: Stacie Jeffirs at
Career Services Office
(574) 520-4425.

Stacey Rummel
Writer

Can Anyone Be Found Guilty Of Treason Anymore?

It is quite simple, Article 3 Section 3 reads “Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying War against them, or, in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort”.  However, does the freedom of speech trump treason?  Certainly not if one looks at the historical precedent.

Tokyo Rose was convicted of treason against the United States for broadcasting messages that taunted Allied forces and hurt morale during WWII.  She was an American citizen helping our enemy by her speech.  It is important to note that she was later pardoned by Pres. Ford, but not because her speech was found Constitutional.  She was pardoned because there was not enough evidence to prove the woman found guilty actually was Tokyo Rose.

After Tokyo Rose, it was Hanoi Jane Fonda in July of 1972.  During the Vietnam War, Fonda praised the North Vietnamese, posed for pictures on a communist anti-aircraft gun, and made several radio broadcasts calling American military leaders “war criminals”.  To make matters worse, when the POWs returned, instead of hailing them as heroes, Fonda called them hypocrites, baby killers, and liars.  Can there be any doubt she gave comfort and aid to our enemy?  Guess what, no charge of treason.

What about a person who actually fights alongside the enemy against American troops?  That is the case of American Taliban, Johnny “bin” Walker.  Can there be any doubt that he levied war against the United States.  Again, no charge of treason.

The latest example is former vice president Al Gore.  In an attempt to keep his name in the headlines, Mr. Gore went to the Jeddah Economic Forum and told the mainly Saudi Arabian audience that America committed “terrible abuses” against Arabs.  What were these abuses?  Apparently some illegal aliens were “indiscriminately rounded up, often on minor charges of overstaying a visa or not having a green card in proper order, and held in conditions that were just unforgivable”.

Obviously Al of Arabia, as he is being called, just forgot that the terrorists on September 11th had invalid visas.  Gore even had the gall to apologize to our enemies on behalf of all Americans for arresting those who were breaking the law!

Is it treasonous for Time magazine to declare Osama Bin Laden the man of the year in 2001?  After much deliberation and even more public scrutiny, Time caved and picked Rudi Giuliani.  During a time of war, should we really be giving a world-wide stage to the enemy?

Then there are the employees of the Washington D.C. bureau of the Al Jazeera network.  Al Jazeera is the Arabic television station that broadcasts all the tapes of Bin Laden and beheadings of the kidnapping victims.  Isn’t giving the enemy a public voice giving them aid?

On that note, what about the newspapers across the country that run daily reports criticizing every action done by our troops?  Or newspapers that give our enemies and those who hate America a sounding board to spread their message?

The Vision will not be placing their messages on our pages.  We will not give a voice to the enemies of America.  Those that hate America need not come knocking, not on this door.

Jarrod Brigham
Editor

Things You Ought To Know: Copy Center

The IUSB Copy Center: did you even know it was here on campus?

The IUSB campus has many hidden jewels, one of which is the Copy Center. This is the one stop shop for all of a student’s copying needs. The Copy Center has two experienced workers, Pat Owens and Betty Smith.

According to Betty, a Copy Center Operator, “some of the things the Copy Center is capable of doing, besides stapling, hole punching, and folding, are laminating spiral binding, and cutting”.

This means the copy center not only is the campus leader in copying, but it is the campus leader in getting projects done efficiently and professionally.

The copy center is located in 005 University Center (that is beneath the main cafeteria in the Administration building).

The copy center provides their services to IUSB faculty, staff, and students as well as to private individuals. For that special project, the center has a color copier available, and to add that extra flare, assorted colors of paper on which to print are also available.

The Copy Center’s prices will beat all local competitors. For example a double-sided black and white 11 x 17 copy at Kinko’s costs 32 cents, but at the copy center that copy only runs 20 cents. For a cheaper, easier copy, choose the Copy Center conveniently located on campus.

Bo Lowman
Business Manager

New Bridge Brings Up New Security Concerns

The new bridge being built on campus is bringing a breath of fresh air to the campus, but it may also be bringing some alarm.  Some students on campus have expressed concern over whether security will be a problem.  Rumors are circulating around campus that the new area will not be patrolled so the only protection offered will come in the form of a callbox.

Martin Gersey, Director of Safety and Security, explained that this area is already within the normal patrol routes officers monitor.  The IUSB police patrol covers the entire area between Mishawaka Ave to the north, Lincoln way to the south, Ironwood to the east, and Twyckingham to the west.

The new bridge design does have two call boxes included, one on each side of the bridge.  It still is not set in stone that the vacant lot will be will be used for parking yet.  However, Gersey stated, “If there is a parking lot put there, we would provide as much attention as any other lot on campus”.

Currently, there is not a crime problem on campus.  After the first two months of the year, there have only been five crimes reported; one report of burglary, one report of theft, and three reports of vandalism.  Gersey did note that they would be “looking into adding another guard if necessary”, but for now the current police force is doing a fine job.  He also added as far as the area across the bridge was concerned, “we will have presence over there”.

Jarrod Brigham
Editor

Sometimes The Ball Bounces Your Way

Have you ever seen a feel-good movie or television show that gives the underdog a chance for greatness? Have you ever wondered if it could ever happen in real life?

Jason McElwain, a senior at Greece Athena High School near Rochester, NY got that chance and took full advantage. Jason suffers from autism, a brain disorder that causes abnormal social interactions, behavioral patterns, and communication skills. The most famous example of autism is Dustin Hoffman’s character in the movie Rain Man. As a result, he spent the year as a manager for the basketball team.

The last game of the year, the coach cleared a roster spot for him so he could finally wear a jersey and sit on the bench like all the other players. With the team up by twenty points and only four minutes left, the coach saw his chance to get the five-foot-six McElwain into the game. This alone would be a highlight for anyone in his situation, but then Jason started shooting.

After missing the basket by a good six feet on his first two shots, McElwain proceeded to drain six three pointers. He would have had seven, but his foot was on the line. His 20 points and sixty percent shooting from behind the arc tied the school record. This amazing performance leaves only one question: why wasn’t this kid a starter?

Jarrod Brigham
Editor

Television and The Desirable Woman

Over the past few months I have had multiple conversations with IUSB student women who overwhelmingly seem to be under the impression that the media is telling them unless they are thin, women are not good enough for men. I had hoped that many women knew in reality this was not true, but sadly I don’t think many are seeing it.

According to http://womensissues.about.com, “the average American woman is 5’4” tall and weighs 140 pounds” and “the average American model is 5’11” and weighs 117 pounds.”  Lastly, “Most fashion models are thinner than 98% of American women.” What does this tell us? To me it says that what the media portrays as a desirable woman is a joke, not only is it a joke, but an unrealistic, seriously damaging joke.  After all, the study also shows that “42% of elementary school students between the 1st and 3rd grades want to be thinner” and “80% of children who are ten years old are afraid of being fat.”  Is this what the children of the future should be worrying about?  I don’t doubt that it’s important to keep in shape for your health, but we know this image isn’t coming from a health perspective, it’s about being ‘desirable’.

According to http://www.dictionary.com there are two definition of desirable.  The first is, “Worth having or seeking, as by being useful, advantageous, or pleasing.”  and the second is “Arousing desire, especially sexual desire.”  I read the first definition as being an honest, convicted, caring, loving, understanding and kind person.  These are traits ’worth seeking’ that will strengthen a relationship and make it into something more.  These will make one desirable to real men, and not those who buy into the media image.

The second definition I’d apply to those who are mislead into thinking that in order to get real men they must be enticing.  You can be desirable to men both ways, and even more desirable in one way over the other, but one has to ask “Which way am I trying to be desirable to men, and which way has a better chance of working out in the end?”  I encourage women to try not to buy into the social pressures being put on them  and try to focus on what’s important.  Shrug off those men who want you to be the image, it’s a joke, they’re a waste of your time.  Believe it or not there are good men out there looking for good women, those who get caught up in the image will only end up statistically thinking less of themselves.  Also, for men’s sake, be sure you don’t want the media image of them either. The media disclaims responsibility, but does everyone else feel that’s so?

Craig Chamberlin
Assistant Editor

Food Fest Needs Club Help

Club Council president Derek Webb would like to invite all of you to participate in this year’s International Food Fest sponsored by the International Student Organization.  The event is planned for Saturday, April 8, 2006 and will last all afternoon. The Food Fest will be held in the administration building.

This event is one of the biggest and most popular on campus, bringing in a multitude of IUSB students and members of the community.  Currently they do not have many participants, but there is much interest generated on campus.   If there are not enough vendors, they may have to cancel the event. To keep this from happening, club council is asking all students and clubs to participate.

Each club is allowed to set up a booth with a food that helps promote their club.  The point is not so much the food as it is a great opportunity to promote your club, share your interests in a fun and unique environment.  Derek Webb states, “I have participated before and had a blast.”

The set up and tear down is easy and the food recipes are simple.  Clubs will also have a chance to fundraise and spread the word about themselves.  Webb also hopes “this interests you as it is a great time and a lot of fun.”

The deadline to submit a recipe is March 9th.  If you have questions please contact him at wrobert325@aol.com.  Recipes must be submitted early so they can be approved before being served due to possible health and contamination concerns.  Kitchen space is also limited so reserve your spot today.

Jarrod Brigham
Editor

Reviewing Porn Nation: One Nation, Under Porn?

On February 21st Michael Leahy, a guest speaker for Porn Nation, appeared in the Student Activity Center to touch on the highly controversial issue of pornography.  It had a good turnout of 40 to 50 people.  Michael Leahy gave a riveting account of how pornography had affected his marriage, children, professional and personal relationships.  The overall question Mike wanted people to ask themselves was, “Does Pornography Affect Me?” and his goal was to get people to begin “Thinking Critically” about the potentially dangerous effects of pornography.

In the start of the presentation the viewers were given some daunting statistics such as “The pornography industry makes more than professional football, baseball, and basketball combined”, “teens between the ages of 12 – 17 make up the largest consumers of pornography”, “the average age of exposure to pornography is 11 years old… and of hardcore pornography 15 – 17 years old” and “child pornography generates $3 billion annually worldwide.”  The industry is aware of these statistics and understands that teens are their primary consumer.  In the United States, this growing industry already contains more adult bookstores than there are McDonalds restaurants. Also, while Hollywood releases only 4 to 5 hundred new movies a year, the pornography industry releases an astounding 10 to 11 thousand.

Mike understood that in order to debate pornography it must be defined.  He used the dictionary’s definition which is “any material developed with the express purpose to arouse.”  This definition shows that much of the material presented on cable television and in magazines would qualify as pornography.  The industry relies on the argument that as long as no one is getting hurt, then pornography is a safe form of entertainment.  Leahy suggests that the more culturally sexualized a society becomes, the more sexual pressure it endures.  Statistically he showed “1 in 4 women on campuses have an eating disorder” and “5 out of 8 rapes go unreported.”  Much of pornography sends a signal to society that “No means yes” and many women have fallen victim to the conceptualization that they are required to be thin and submissive in order to get men.

How is it that a society falls victim to this cultural sexualization?  Mike points out that “we are soaking in the stuff”, new technologies have given individuals access to the media 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and even the magazine racks at a local gas stations serve as a reminder. Every corner someone turns there is another portrayal of sexual innuendos, adultery, humor, and goals.  Men are portrayed as being truly a man if they are able to get many women, and women are portrayed as being truly women if they submit themselves to many men.

One of the videos showed “the way that Hollywood sells love is a huge distortion of how it really is and over time, the culture begins to reflect the fantasy.”  There are two contradicting things happening here.  Men are looking for women who will be sexually submissive, but will rarely respect those who are and  women are looking for a man who will commit to them, but won’t be desirable unless they are sexually submissive.  This is the way many of those who have been culturally sexualized view sex, not realizing that the concepts contradict each-other.

The Vision respects Michael Leahy for talking about such a controversial issue, and expressing his own personal encounter with sexual addiction.  The addiction got so bad that it ended in the loss of his wife, job and his two children.  Mike didn’t feel sorry for himself though, once he hit rock bottom he realized “I got exactly what I deserved”.  He wanted people to understand that his addiction started when he was age 11 and that “had anyone told me thirty years prior that I would be addicted to pornography, I would have told them they were crazy.”  He went on to state “The good news is that only 10% of you will have a story like mine.”

In the final part of his presentation Leahy gave people a chance to leave so that he could share the spiritual side of his recovery.  Most students returned and he revealed that the most influential part of his recovery involved Jesus Christ, and Christianity gave him unspeakable comfort and acceptance so that he could move beyond and grow through what he had experienced.  “Porn is not just a moral issue, it’s one part behavioral and another part spiritual, it emerges from the common desire to be wanted.”

Michael Leahy revealed many strong truths involving the issue of pornography, and is very brave for being able to share those with campuses around the world. We’d like to thank the Campus Crusade for Christ for bringing him in to discuss it because it’s definitely an issue that isn’t touched upon enough.  There is much more than couldn’t be addressed in this article, if you’d like more information you can download Mike Leahy’s PDF handout with his personal story and some more statistics from our website or you can also visit
http://www.bravehearts.net.

Click Here to Download the PDF Handout

Craig Chamberlin
Assistant Editor

Wis-dumb From Hollywood (The American President)

“You want to claim this land as the ‘land of the free’? Then the symbol of your country cannot just be a flag. The symbol also has to be one of its citizens exercising his right to burn that flag in protest. Now show me that, defend that, celebrate that in your classrooms.”

- Michael Douglas as President Andrew Shepherd in
The American President

Did You Know? (Indiana University’s Main Library)

This one hits close to home.  Apparently there is a legend that IUSB’s Main Library is sinking by about one inch every year.  The supposed reason is that the architect neglected to take into account the weight of the 3.7 million books that the library would house.  Contrary to popular belief, the Main Library is not sinking.  According to Robert E. Meadows, an IU architect, the building actually sits on a slab of limestone that is 94 feet thick.  In fact the building’s original architect had to redesign the plans because the slab was too hard to blast through. So, the building actually rises above initial expectations.

Bo Lowman
Business Manager

Indiana University is “Red Hot”

On February 21, the Indiana Universities took their annual bus trip down to the statehouse, “the people’s house” for the Hoosiers for Higher Education rally.  The theme this year was “IU is red hot” because Newsweek called us the “Hottest Big State School.”  Elisabeth Hardy, freshman, said, “I enjoyed the trip and would go back next year.”

IUSB’s main purpose of this year’s trip was to petition the state government for money to renovate the Associate’s building.  The money would allow IUSB to renovate the Associate building for the Education, Dental Hygiene, and Fine Arts departments.

Unfortunately the discussions are not scheduled to happen until next year, but the participants were able to talk to Senators and Representatives in order to stress and remind them to think of us and how important it is.

The Indiana Universities had over 500 participants this year and IUSB dominated with over 100 people.  Many of the participants were taking advantage of the club money given away by the SGA.  The Black Student Union won the $200 prize by getting eight members of their club to “get on the bus”.

At the statehouse, the crowd was whipped into frenzy by IU football head coach, Terry Hoeppner.  He was even able to get them to scream “IU is red hot” through the halls of the statehouse.  During the senate assembly, President Herbert presented a couple of the members of Senate with an autographed football signed by Terry Hoeppner to show his appreciation for their support through the years.

IUSB continued to steal the show at the awards banquet after the rally.  Our very own Emil “Lucky” Reznik received the first annual Sue H. Talbot Distinguished Hoosiers for Higher Education Member Award.  Sue H. Talbot is the founding director of HHE.  Lucky Reznik graduated from IU South Bend with a master’s degree is business administration.  Since 1999 he has been a community leader for HHE.  He is also a lifetime member of the IU Alumni Association.

Sandy Brigham
Copy Editor

Did You Know? (Walking the Plank)

Very few pirates actually made their captures walk the plank. Maritime lore has it that, only Capt. Blackbeard and a few of his consorts actually did this.

The popular way of getting rid of unwanted captives was simply to throw them overboard. After all, a pirate would not want to stop a ship to have someone walk the plank; throwing them overboard was much more efficient.

This has been practiced by both pirates and common sailors since the days of Jonah.

Bo Lowman
Business Manager

Should Expecting Mothers Be Told About Fetal Pain?

The Indiana House of Representatives is currently deciding that question. A bill on the house floor if passed would require doctors to inform women seeking abortions that “human life begins when a human ovum is fertilized by a human sperm”. A similar law that was passed in South Dakota requires doctors to inform women “that the abortion will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being”. These are victories for the pro-life movement.

Indiana House Bill 1172 also would require doctors to inform women that the “fetus may feel pain during the procedure,” and possibly severe pain in a late term abortion. Indiana congressmen heard expert testimony stating that an unborn child could feel pain as early as seven weeks into pregnancy and pain is definitely present at 20 weeks into pregnancy. Fifteen states introduced similar legislation last year, three of which, Minnesota, Arkansas, and Georgia, passed the legislation. All three states and South Dakota currently have pending lawsuits filed by Planned Parenthood with the state’s courts.

A second bill on the House floor would require more safety regulations at abortion clinics. This bill is also being objected to by Planned Parenthood claiming “the regulations would require such extensive renovation to their abortion facilities that they would be forced to close”.

NARAL, the nation’s leading pro-choice advocacy group recently graded individual states on their ability to provide abortions. Indiana received an F because 93% of Indiana counties do not have abortion clinics,

according to the group’s website. NARAL also cited Gov. Mitch Daniels, Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman, and Attorney General Steve Carter as being anti-choice. Indiana joined 18 other states in receiving this failing grade. California, Washington, and Connecticut were found to be the top three states to find abortion clinics.

Jarrod Brigham
Editor

Does the Media Encourage Dangerous Behavior?

Recently, one of rapper Busta Rhyme’s security guards was shot outside of a warehouse while they were setting up to film a video. The police state that Busta Rhymes was desired to be questioned, but he has not come forward with any information. This story and others like it have people asking whether rap music, or media in general, encourages dangerous behavior.

Teenagers are the best focus group to study the influence of the media. According to parentstv.org, studies show that “66% of children (ages 10 to 16) surveyed say that their peers are influenced by TV shows.” Ironically we conduct all sorts of studies to determine whether violence and sex on television actually affect the behavior of teens – here the teens themselves are openly telling us ‘it does’. Going even farther, “62% say that sex on TV shows and movies influences kids to have sex when they are too young” and “77% say there is too much sex before marriage on television.” These are important statistics verifying television affects the behavior of individuals.

Does this mean we should censor television? Well censorship is one option, but it isn’t the American way. Freedom of speech earmarks a free society, and sadly it is that freedom that offends others. Given these statistics I would argue that those who are putting out these obscene television shows have at least partial responsibility to show the consequences or make sure teens don’t see the program. Unfortunately, these shows will be around as long as people continue to watch them. If a television show is offensive to you, the only real options you have is to turn off the TV, make it known you are boycotting the advertisers, or contacting the offending network.

These days there is no great way to keep your kids from media, the internet is in every school now and actually contains worse material. Also, the filtering technology in schools is easy to get around. This is a situation that is hard to address from both sides, in one hand, we don’t want to suppress free speech, and in the other, we want to protect our children.

Craig Chamberlin
Assistant Editor

Political Cartoons, No Laughing Matter

There has been a firestorm recently over 12 cartoons sparking violent demonstrations across the world. Islamic tradition bans the depiction of Muhammad or Allah, even in political cartoons. The cartoons include one of Muhammad as an insane, knife-wielding Bedouin and another has him in Heaven declaring to suicide bombers: “Stop. Stop. We have run out of virgins!” – poking fun at the belief of some radical Muslim extremists that male suicide bombers will be rewarded in Heaven with 72 virgins.

The cartoons not only have incited protests, but warnings of economic boycotts and even violent retaliation. The EU is backing the Danish, Norwegian, and French newspapers running the cartoons under the cause of free speech. The EU has also warned that any boycotts would violate World Trade Organization rules.

Two newspaper editors have been fired in France and Jordan for running the cartoons. However, some want more brutal punishment. According to Reuters, one preacher at Al Omari mosque in Gaza told worshipers during a Friday prayer, “We will not accept less than severing the heads of those responsible”. Other demonstrators only wanted the artists to have their hands amputated.

As printed in the N.Y. Times “The State Department spokesman, Sean McCormack, reading the government’s statement on the controversy, said, ‘Anti-Muslim images are as unacceptable as anti-Semitic images,’ which are routinely published in the Arab press, ‘as anti-Christian images, or any other religious belief’.”

Perhaps fences can be mended by the newest political cartoon in which Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim and Christian holy figures are shown sitting on a cloud, with the caption “Don’t worry Muhammad; we’ve all been caricatured here.”

Jarrod Brigham
Editor

Club Showcase: Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade Presents a Different Twist to the Sex Mantra of America:

As a nationwide-nonprofit Christian organization, Campus Crusade for Christ has influenced 1,029 campuses across the U.S. and beyond, including IUSB. According to the Campus Crusade web site, their mission is, “Turning lost students into Christ-centered laborers” with a scope to reach “every student” and “every person on earth.”

When Bill and Vonette Bright first launched Campus Crusade for Christ as a campus ministry in 1951, the underlying concept was to “win the campus today and change the world tomorrow.”

On February 21 at 3pm in SAC 225, the Campus Crusade for Christ club at IUSB is hosting a dynamic event intended to equip students with the power to break from the addiction of pornography. Michael Leahy, Director of BraveHearts LLC., will be addressing the dangers of sexual addiction and the remedy to break its grip.

According to the BraveHearts web site, Mr. Leahy is a recovering sex addict himself. “[He] is becoming widely recognized as a spokesperson for the over 20 million men and women in America who are sexually addicted. He has appeared on ABC News, ‘20/20’, ‘The View’ and numerous NBC, CBS, CNN and Fox News local affiliate programs while touring college campuses across the U.S. and Canada.”

Campus Crusade for Christ hosts weekly Bible studies on campus on Wednesdays at 2:30pm.

For More Information:

BraveHearts:
http://www.bravehearts.net/

Campus Crusade for Christ:
http://www.campuscrusadeforchrist.com/

God Squad:
http://www.godsquad.com/.

Rachel Wesner
Writer

Wisdom From Hollywood (A Few Good Men)

“I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it! I would rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post.”

- Jack Nicholson as Col. Nathan Jessup, A Few Good Men

Did You Know? (St. Valentine)

Little is known about Saint Valentine himself, though most sources agree that he is an early Christian martyr. As for a celebration on Feb. 14, one tradition tells us that this was midieval in origin. In their zeal to convert heathens, the Catholic Church was turning pagan holidays into Christian ones.

Feb. 14 was when bird’s supposedly started breeding. The pagan belief also states that gifts should begiven to loved ones in honor of this first sign of spring; hence, the beginning of Valentine’s Day gifts/cards.

Bo Lowman
Business Manager

Club Showcase: Newman Catholic Student Association

The Newman Catholic Student Association has enjoyed a presence on IUSB campus since 1973. We have been a spiritual and social presence over the years and continue in the 2005-2006 school year with President: Theresa Pace; Vice President: Dianne de Guzman; Treasurer: John Henderson; and Secretary: Debbie Allen. Professor Melchor de Guzman is the IUSB Club Advisor; and Maria Pirrie serves as the Catholic Campus Minister representing the Diocese of Ft. Wayne/South Bend; Fr. Chuck Lavely, CSC presides at Mass once a week on Wednesdays at noon. You can find us in Wiekamp 1260, please join us. Fr. Chuck and Maria are always available for conversation over lunch on Wednesdays.

We look forward to the Bishop’s Annual Retreat scheduled this year March 31, April 1 and 2. This is an opportunity for college students and young adults across the diocese (from Ft. Wayne to South Bend and points in between) to gather for a weekend of reflection and prayer while meeting new people and sharing ideas. The retreat is held on beautiful Lake Wawasee at the Oakwood Inn in Syracuse. The weekend includes lodging, meals, conferences, quiet time and social gatherings. Financial assistance is available to IUSB students. Please join us – all are welcome! !

If you are interested in joining this event, feel free to contact NCSA at ncsa@iusb.edu

Article Contributed
NCSA

Microsoft Wants You!

When I was a freshman, one of the best perks I heard about for coming to IUSB was getting all those expensive pieces of Microsoft software for only $5 a disc. Considering the Microsoft Office Professional suite costs $265.00 at the cheapest of retailers – this is nothing to scoff at. This later brought the question to my mind, why would Microsoft simply give us free software?

For the past three years I’ve been droning myself in front of Microsoft XP, Office, and Studio and there is one thing for certain, I’ve gotten used to them. To Microsoft, there’s nothing more important than students like me getting used to their software. As a computer major I will be walking into the professional world within the next two years. When my boss comes up to me and asks me about software, what software will come to mind?

There’s no doubt in my mind that Microsoft figures it’s a better marketing strategy just to give the software to us for free. They even take it a step further by offering literally almost every piece of software they make for $300 a year to IT professionals wanting to learn to develop and implement this software into their business. If you haven’t heard of it, this is called the ‘Microsoft Action Pack’.

The marketing genius here is that Microsoft is becoming part of the open source community who normally give their software away for free. In offering their software below cost, Microsoft ensures that people will get hooked or interested while they’re young. They are even going beyond by handing us the disc. After all, if we had to pay $150 for windows 2/3rds of us would probably actually install Linux just to see if it would work for us. The other 1/3rd would pirate it.

Visit the bookstore if you haven’t gotten your $5 fix yet, or download most online free at http://iuware.iu.edu/.

Craig Chamberlin
Writer

The Hypocrisy of Krytocracy

Krytocracy, or the rule by judges is where we are headed if we do not stop judges from legislating from the bench. On November 30 of last year, Judge David S. Hamilton of U.S. Federal Court ruled that the name of Jesus Christ cannot be spoken during prayers given at the opening sessions of the Indiana House of Representatives. Any other religious figure is acceptable, just not the Christian God. The lawsuit is the latest in a series of attacks by the ACLU on Christianity.

So what about separation of church and state? The idea of a separation of church and state is not found in the United States Constitution. However the phrase “the church is separated from the state and the school from the church” is in article 52 of the former Soviet Union’s constitution.

However, this scenario is not a matter of separation of church and state, but rather a matter of separation of powers. This is a clear-cut case of the judicial branch imposing on the sovereignty of the legislative branch. A judge cannot tell the speaker of the house how to conduct his meetings any more than a senator can tell a judge how long he must deliberate in his chambers when deciding the guilt or innocence of a defendant. We have the doctrine of separation of powers in order to keep one branch of the government from taking full control over the lives of the American people.

For years, activist judges have made one ruling after another making law on their own rather than allowing the people to elect officials who will in turn create legislation. When judges such as David Hamilton disagree with the law of the land they simply create their own law from the bench. How is this any different from vigilantism?

If you think the church and the state must be completely separate, let me ask you these two questions. How many of you want the state to deny pastors the ability to endorse political candidates from the pulpit? Secondly, how many of you want the state to start taxing the income of churches?

Jarrod Brigham
Editor

Things You Ought to Know: IUSB Computer Discounts

Have you been wondering why all the computers on this campus are Dell? Well there are other good reasons for it other than that Dells are well built systems. As it turns out all IU students get a discount on Dell products through a website at http://www.iusb.edu/~sbit/software-and-hardware.shtml.

Not only that but students also get deals through both Apple and CDW. Before going into the details of the discounts you should probably know that when you go to the above IUSB IT website it will walk you through all sorts of recommendations for computer systems and peripherals. So if you’re not too computer savvy this should help you out in making your decisions.

The ‘Dell IU Store’ gives a selection of pre-built systems that are offered exclusively to students. If you aren’t interested in these pre-built systems you are always welcome to visit Dell’s IU Discount website where you will get up to 10% off any system.

The pre-built systems are quite up to par for today’s standards, plus they come equipped with a three year on-site service plan, which is much more than you’ll get if you ordered it straight through their website.

Are you a graphics designer that’s not interested in a standard Dell PC? Just login using your IUSB username and password into Apples website and get up to 10% off selected products at their site as well. If you were going to buy one anyways you might as well get a discount right?

<!–[if !supportEmptyParas]–> <!–[endif]–>

Finally, log into CDW and view their large inventory of discounted external hard drives, flash drives, laptops, desktops, peripherals, and more. Our IT department has been getting us these discounts for quite awhile so this is just one of those things you ought to know.

Craig Chamberlin
Writer

Club Showcase: IUSB Vision

If you are reading this article, you have already been well introduced to the newly formed club, the IUSB Vision. Its primary purpose is to create a publication on campus that showcases various IUSB clubs and creates a forum for student vision into campus-life issues.

The IUSB Vision seeks to assist students in their quest to fit in on campus and join the campus culture. Though ideal for freshman, it also serves well for the most seasoned senior who is interested in gleaning a fresh perspective on campus club life, locating a new club that would peak his/her interest, finding new friends after changing a major, or simply getting caught up on some key events of campus life.

If you are already a member of a club and would like to see your club showcased in the IUSB Vision publication, please don’t hesitate to contact the Vision. This club is here to help other clubs find a voice on campus. Articles on clubs are free on a first come first serve basis. Any and all are welcome to be showcased. The club can write the articles for themselves and submit them to the IUSB Vision staff or just submit their information and one of our writers will be happy to do the work.

If you are not in a club and just want to sound off on an issue related to the campus, the nation, or the world we want to hear from you.

Rachael Wesner
Writer