Vol. 2 Archives (PDF)

The Following are the Volume 2 Archived issues of IUSB Vision in PDF Format:

Adobe Acrobat Reader:

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Volume 2, Issue 1

http://www.iusb.edu/~sbvision/issues/iusbv2i1.pdf

Volume 2, Issue 2

http://www.iusb.edu/~sbvision/issues/iusbv2i2.pdf

Volume 2, Issue 3

http://www.iusb.edu/~sbvision/issues/iusbv2i3.pdf

Volume 2, Issue 4

http://www.iusb.edu/~sbvision/issues/iusbv2i4.pdf

Volume 2, Issue 5

http://www.iusb.edu/~sbvision/issues/iusbv2i5.pdf

Others not yet converted…

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Submit General Letters to the Editor (Volume 2, Issue 8)

Thank you for staying with us this semester, feel free to add a comment or submit a letter to the editor by clicking the comments link below this post.

The IUSB Vision Editorial Staff

Where Do We Stand?

December is here and almost as if on cue, it is snowing outside. Apt, somehow, for the atmosphere of journalism on campus – somewhere in between two rows of doors, with hints of snow and hints of central heating, all depending on which way you are going.

On one hand, the Preface has strongly opposed the Vision’s stand on whether it was correct to publish the news of the alleged rape on campus. In this arena, the Vision still feels it necessary to clarify its stand on some of the issues raised.

The emphasis of the Preface editorial was placed on their legal right to publish the article of an alleged rape on campus. The Vision never stated they did not have a legal right and it is unfortunate the Preface used so much space responding to an argument we never made. The request was to acknowledge whether they had the ethical  right. In this, the Preface defended itself on the grounds of holding the university accountable. This is understandable if there was something to hold the university accountable for, however, no claim ever held IUSB administration in any way deficient in conduct. 

Let us take just one page from the official campus newspaper, which states itself as being accredited by the Associated Collegiate Press, regulated by the Publications Board, and whose faculty advisor works in the field of journalism. The Preface wrote, “After allegations were filed, the university has [sic] installed deadbolt locks in the music rooms… If no one was informed, how would the university be held accountable for making the necessary safety precautions?”

The Vision agrees that both publications should hold people accountable for their actions, and yes, through this, positive action can be taken. However, the argument is this: the decision to take safety precautions was made before the Preface reported the incident.

As for the idea of journalistic principles: if the Preface is adamantly willing to hold others accountable, it appears they should respectfully – or is not the word here is laudably? –  accept those who attempt to hold them as accountable as well. Otherwise, they risk jeopardizing their own journalistic integrity – integrity which one can have with or without accreditation by the Associated Collegiate Press.

On the other hand, editor of the Preface Jason Cytacki has put forward a somewhat reconciliatory tone in comments on the weblog of the Vision. “This is just an idea, but what about two autonomous publications that worked together to cover create something greater than both separate parts?” he wrote, though making it a point to add that any charter would be advisory rather than binding.

To this, the Vision views some hope at moving forward with the Preface, but stands firm that a charter should have some real value. This real value can only stem from having a stand. Freedom of speech is one of them. The choice of self-restraint is another. Are these two not compatible? Jason Cytacki mentions the need to “engage in a thoughtful discussion”, and through this perhaps we shall move forward, and perhaps we may not. Once again, time will tell.

In the end, the real issue is this: when the Preface came out with its response to the IUSB Vision, Northside Hall’s stack of Vision copies all but disappeared. The IUSB community is reading, and people are discussing: though only a few do so publicly on the weblog. If nothing else, this debate has brought different ideas to the table. Above all else, ideas are what really move us forward, even – or especially – when they are ones you do not agree with.

When newspapers are not determined by sales figures, the quest to determine the way forward for campus journalists must include four very important words to our readers: Where do you stand?

Which of course, tags the question: Where are you going?

The Editorial Board of the Vision

What Women Want Men to Know

Chivalry, heroism, macho-ness, these are all fine and dandy, but it is not all we want. Sometimes, it is really nice for us if you stop trying to impress people and just be yourself. There is nothing more annoying than a mask being put on when others are around. Alone, together, men can be real, and wonderful, but the romance grows stale real quick when they try to be all macho-manly, even it is not who they are. We are not impressed. Relax, don’t try so hard, we like you to be just who you are without all of the frills and showing off. Besides, it is more likely that you will jus end up humiliating yourself by trying to do something cool that you are unable to do right.

A real man can wear pink! Te he. In all seriousness though, we think that you are much more of a real man when you are logical, not muscle-headed, considerate, not  a show off, and strong, but not a bully. 

Bottom line, it pays to be real, and not to put on facades to impress the one you are smitten with.

Carlie Barr
Writer
    

The Irish Miracle: How Ireland Went from Economic Basket Case to Masterpiece – UPDATE 2010!

[See our Nov. 2010 update below – Editor]

Of all the European Union, Ireland is now the place to be. In the 1970’s emigration from Ireland was at near record levels, but since 2000 over 50% of new immigrants are returning Irish citizens and 40% of its population is under 30 years old. According to the Seidman Research Institute of Arizona State University, Ireland’s GDP growth in 2003 is 136% higher than the EU 15 average; in 1987 it was 69% of the EU 15 average. Unemployment dropped from 17% in 1987 to 4% today, during the 1990’s Ireland’s economic growth averaged 6.9% (for those who don’t know economics well, that is an amazing growth rate) and after the tech bubble busted, Ireland’s growth rate still maintained over 4.5%. Government debt shrank as well, falling from 112% of GDP to 33%. Ireland’s standard of living has also surpassed most of Europe.

So how did Ireland do it? First, a warning, if you have Marxist leanings the facts I am about to present to you are going to prove to be tremendously inconvenient and may even put you into shock. You have been warned.

In 1987 the government started to embrace major reforms. The government realized that it could no longer be the people’s employer and enacted massive cuts in spending, slashing many government programs and agencies from 3-10%. According to The Economist Magazine, Ireland cut its capital spending by 16%.

The government created two highly aggressive and somewhat politically independent agencies that are made up of people from government and the private sector; one agency whose sole purpose is to encourage business and investment to stay in Ireland and the other is a go gettem’ agency that is designed to bring foreign investment and business into Ireland. These agencies have the authority to get tasks done. When Apple Computers was struggling in the late 1990’s it had threatened almost 2000 manufacturing jobs in Ireland. The agencies cut the taxes for the struggling Apple to help it deal with the competition and to prevent it from taking the jobs elsewhere.

The agencies act as a partner to private investment, they find the locations that meet the company’s needs and do much of that opening hard work for them. Locally, the City of Mishawaka has a similar program. Ever wonder why so much business has moved to Mishawaka? When the South Bend Tribune needed a new site to put its newspaper, radio and TV into one facility, the City of South Bend was not eager to help the Tribune out. Mishawaka on the other hand just asked the Tribune how much space they needed and what kind of infrastructure they needed in place to support the business. The city did the work to find and prepare a proper location, so the Tribune and its subsidiaries are moving to Mishawaka. It is amazing what can be accomplished when an ideologically based envy and resentment of wealth and the private sector do not get in the way of good government.

A business is not an island unto itself, it needs smart and talented people to hire and Ireland heard the call. Ireland built universities in 10 enterprise zones where they wanted foreign business to settle in. The private sector works with the universities to make sure that the educational needs of the local employers are met. Ireland also offers a special tax break for those with skills that are in demand and to those with exceptional talent such as many famed musicians and actors and other artists. This policy helps to attract talent from all over the world.

Ireland knew that they had to bring in foreign companies and investment fast to get the economic ball rolling so they created a tax haven. Ireland lowered the corporate income tax rate to 10% for manufacturing companies or companies that trade services internationally and would move into a selected enterprise zone. The EU had a fit over this move (winy socialist’s that they are) saying that Ireland’s tax policy was not fair. So Ireland agreed to no longer offer the 10% tax rate to selected business and opted to lower the corporate income tax top rate to 12.5% for everyone. By comparison, according to the Tax Foundation, our corporate income tax is 39.3% and American companies pay an effective rate of 37.7%. Even leftist politician John Kerry said in the 2004 campaign that our corporate income tax is too high and that we need to lower it to attract some business back that has gone over seas.

Over 1000 international companies have moved facilities into Ireland since 1987. Names like Motorola, Dell, Wyeth, Intel, Microsoft, Citigroup, IBM and pharmaceuticals such as Bristol-Myers Squibb all have major operations in Ireland. I am old enough to remember when big pharmaceuticals such as Bayer, Alka-Seltzer, Whitehall, and Miles all had their major manufacturing and R&D right here in Northern Indiana and now they are almost all gone. Ireland has embraced an aggressive, pro-growth, pro-innovation culture that we can learn from.

The last piece of the puzzle that has made Ireland such an economic success is that it has been steadily dropping personal income tax rates over the years; dropping from a 65% top marginal rate (for the ultra wealthy) in 1985, to 56% in 1989, to 46% in 2000, to 44% as of 2001. Aside from the top marginal rates, the standard income tax rate was dropped to 32% in 1989, to 24% in 2000, to 22% in 2001 and I expect all of these tax rates to keep falling. Ireland is trying to find the optimal tax rates that both promote and encourage investment and economic growth while still bringing in growing revenues to the government (for those of you who are economics majors I think we can say that Ireland is riding the Laffer Curve).

Should we demonize Ireland as a bunch of selfish and greedy consumers who sit idly by while their government engages in tax giveaways to the rich, or should we examine Ireland’s growing standard of living, top notch education, and low unemployment and admire them for the lightning fast turnaround from an economic basket case to a prosperous example that the world could follow?

Chuck Norton
News Analyst

UPDATE – After so many years of prosperity and doing it right what happened in Ireland?

What happened to Ireland is the danger that can result from  economic prosperity that lasts for a long time, namely, the people and the politicians become complacent. As the economic good times roll the government gets awash in money and the people stop keeping the government’s feet to the fire. When people become complacent it becomes easy to say yes to knew spending, the left who is driven mad by the prosperity driven by capitalism, adopt a new narrative, “As wealthy as we are and as good as the economy is cant we help XX and cant we do XX program and YY program”? The next thing you know government is going into debt, regulations begin to stifle wealth creation, and as the cost of government rose less wealth moved to Ireland.

This is an easy trap to fall into. This is why the people must have Tea Party like vigilance when it comes to economic policy and restraining government even when times are good.  Granted much of what has hit Ireland was due to the global economic collapse that was largely the fault of government manipulation of the mortgage and securities market in the United States, but Ireland had begun to forget what economic policies made them the envy of Europe in the first place.

Christmas Charities Need Your Help

‘Tis the season to be jolly, yes, but ’tis also the season to be giving. Christmas gives us an excellent opportunity to show that we really indeed are interested in giving to those less fortunate.

Right here in South Bend there are very serious needs that can be met with just a little effort on our part.

Women’s shelters are always in need of clothing and bath towels. There are distribution points here on campus that you can use to help others.

Anyone who really understands what the Christmas season is all about, understands that it is about giving, not receiving.

Take the Hope Rescue Mission for example. Multiple times students have donated a Saturday afternoon and braved the cold to collect food for the mission. These students, from this campus, had a wonderful time knocking on doors and asking for food.  One might be surprised how generous the people of this town can be if someone just takes the initiative to ask them. For these students, there is no greater joy than seeing the expression on the faces of the people at the Hope Rescue Mission when they know that there are people out there who care about them.

When we arrived with a van full of food, many times the words “thank you” and “God bless you” are returned.  I truly hope this does not come across the wrong way, but my Christmas wish is that everyone can give just a little of their time to help others. The joy that comes over one is a magnificent reward in itself.

Many people ask, which is better: time or money? The answer is both. All the money in the world, cannot be put to use if there are not volunteers to staff the projects. Conversely, all the volunteers in the world cannot distribute food, clothing, and medicine if the funds are not there.

Even the U.S. Armed Forces are getting into the action.  Toys for Tots is a wonderful charity all about the children.  How many times as a child did you open up presents that you did not like?  Even the gift that was hated the most is more than what some children get.  When you are out shopping this Christmas season, stop by the dollar store and pick up a toy for a child in need. Contrasted to the hundreds spent on friends and family, that dollar for a stranger means so much.

There is also the Salvation Army. Remember those bell ringers at the entrances of the malls who too many usually try to avoid making eye contact with? Give them a few coins even if only to make yourself feel good. Imagine how tough it must be for them standing for eight hours ringing a bell in the face of apathy. Be a blessing them; it only costs fifty cents.

If you don’t have the funds to financially support one of the many local charities, a happy holiday attitude can make a difference. Opening doors for ladies, smiling at people when making eye contact and simply saying hello. Simple gestures can lift the spirits of someone else who may be able to then go on and do something wonderful for someone else.

No matter what your social, ethnic, economic, or political background, helping others is something we all can do.

Jarrod Brigham
Editor

That’s What Christmas is All About, Charlie Brown

The Christmas season is upon us. Undoubtedly, many of you have already begun your Christmas shopping and are eager to receive the presents placed on your lists. In light of the season, I was feeling a little sappy, and thought we could warm up to some good old Charlie Brown Christmas (1965). Depressed by the commercialism infecting Christmas, Charlie Brown struggled bitterly to find happiness around the holiday season.  Sure he was getting gifts, his friends were excited and singing, and they were all working on their student play, but none of it could make him happy.

After a series of embarrassing events leading to more despair, Linus, with his security blanket in hand, explained to Charlie Brown the true meaning of Christmas he didn’t realize he needed to hear:

“And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them! And they were sore afraid … And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all my people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ, the Lord.

‘And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, and good will toward men.’ 

“That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

I know it is sappy, it is cheesy, but sometimes, a cartoon child says things better than anyone else can.  Merry Christmas to everyone from The IUSB Vision, we are happy you stayed with us this semester.  Have a safe and happy holiday.

Craig Chamberlin
Assistant Editor

When is it Time to Make a Commitment?

Everyone gasps when I tell them how long I have been dating my boyfriend (on and off for the past nine years).  After the initial shock follows from everyone the question along the lines of why aren’t we married?  This normally doesn’t bother me until recently when I have stopped and realized that I am almost done with school as well as turning 25 next year.

Am I ready for that next phase in my life or do I feel like I’m not keeping up with my peers who are already married and starting families?  I don’t want to be 30 years old and in the delivery room with my first child.  I have this notion of enjoying my children while I’m still somewhat young.

I understand I have my whole life ahead of me to share with this person, but the other half feels like time is somehow slipping away.  In ways, I feel like I am missing out on some aspects of a married life instead of the boyfriend/girlfriend situation I’m in now.  Am I wrong for feeling this way?  I know many people are like “don’t ever get married”, but I’m finding I’m longing for it day by day.

Another factor that doesn’t help is wondering if I’m marriage material.  After people ask me why we’re not married makes me ask the same question.  Is it safer to just date someone for the rest of your life?  Right now in my life, this doesn’t seem too satisfying.  I guess I’m just tired of being the girlfriend and really ready put forth the commitment.
    
Stacy Rummel
Managing Editor

Women in Prominent Positions: Maureen Muldoon

Upon hearing the title Special Events Coordinator, one might assume that the job consists of fun and games. That is not the case for Maureen Muldoon, the Special Events Coordinator for IU South Bend. The job involves a lot of hard work, organization, and a very dedicated committee.

Organizing and planning has been a major aspect of Muldoon’s career since the early 80’s. She worked as a Meeting Manager for a large association for five years, until she moved on the becoming the Vice President and Secretary of the Bonnie Doon Ice Cream Corporation.

After leaving Bonnie Doon in the early 90’s, Muldoon became a business owner in the community, where she continued to plan meetings and special events for area businesses.  She came to IU South Bend in June of 2000, and has been the Special Events Coordinator since.

As part of her job, Muldoon works hard to organize all aspects of a special event held at IU South Bend. This could range from a club event to an area business luncheon. She works hand in hand with the Dining Services department, since most events often contain snacks or lunch of some sort. She has meetings weekly with her committee, so as to not fall behind on any upcoming event and to make sure everybody involved is on the right page.

One of Muldoon’s goals when coming to IU South Bend was to create a campus-wide calendar listing of every event to be held on campus. Though there are many calendars around and bulletins sent out, no such calendar has been created with events across many departments.

She also edits the Campus Scheduling Guidelines & Policy Manual, which details regulations and ideas for holding certain events on campus.

IU South Bend was not new turf for Muldoon when she became Special Events Coordinator. She has two IU degrees: an Associates of General Studies degree, in addition to her Bachelor of General Studies with Dean’s List recognition.

She was also a board member for the IU General Studies Alumni Association and past President of the Women Business Owners of Michiana organization.

“Being a Special Events Coordinator involves many details to put an event together.  Anyone in this field needs to pay attention to details. “I have a wonderful events committee,” says Muldoon of her work. She has organized events with various attendances, from 20 up to 2000.

Stacie Jensen
Assistant Business Manager

From the Vice President’s Pen

As the semester winds down, I wanted to address the student body about something that has been bothering me for some time now.  Before I offer any advice, I must first make my own confession.  When I first started college, I was absolutely terrified and really had no clue of what being a university student meant.  Being older (and hopefully wiser) now, there are a few things I have learned that I would like to pass on to IUSB freshman and sophomores.  Call them words of wisdom, but whatever they are, I hope they can at least help steer you clear of future troubles.

First, know your rights.  All too often, I hear stories of students who had a problem, yet didn’t know how to handle it or where to go.  You have a responsibility to yourself and your future to read the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct.  If you are going to be held to a standard, you should know what that is.

Secondly, stay informed.  You are or will be a taxpayer at some point in time.  You should know what is going on with the university, how it operates, and any future endeavors being planned.  Stay on top of university happenings by reading the school paper, newsletter, and bulletin board.  Always remember to check your university email account.  Much university news is conferred to the student body through this channel.  It is the official means of communication between administration and the student and should be checked daily.

Finally, remember there is always help available if you need it.  You will never have to go through a situation by yourself.  IUSB offers free counseling, tutoring, and writing services to students.  If you ever have a concern or question, feel free to contact any member of the Student Government Association.  We are here to help you in whatever manner we are able.

In closing, I wish everyone the best of luck with finals.  I hope you all have a very merry Christmas and happy holiday season.

Joanna Reusser

Titan Talent at Speech Night

At the end of the semester, Fine Arts students can be found gathered around the ticket office, scrambling to fulfill the Fine Arts Cultural Event attendance requirements. These events, which vary from course to course, are more often perceived by students at as requirements or extra credit, than as an asset to the School of the Arts.

One such event is Speech Night. This event connects with the S-121 course, Public Speaking. Speech Night has been a tradition at IU South Bend since 1982. The purpose of speech night is to profile the public speaking students as well as highlight the focus of Communications Arts in the school of the arts.

Speech Night comprises  three Speech Preliminaries, held on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday the 27, 28, and 29 of November, respectively. Each of the 23 finalists were chosen to speak on one of those nights. On each night, two finalists were chosen to move on to the Speech Finals, Monday December 4.

Public speaking of course is not all fun and games. Among the rules for the night were  time limits, and some speakers were disqualified for going too long.

The speeches had various themes, to which the audience usually reacted predictably.  Speeches varied from the dangers of drinking and driving, to the dangers of drinking soda, to even the existence of zombies (which gathered many chuckles from the audience). Breaks in between speeches were filled with spectators actively discussing what they liked or disliked about various speeches. By the end of the night, you could hear audience members debating whether their favorite speaker had been chosen to go on to finals.

The finalists on the Monday preliminary were:  Connie Sue Yost, Brittany Morgan, Erin Daren, Rahul Heberaj, Melinda Foster, Gabrielle Johnson, and Timothy J. Lies.

The finalists on the Tuesday Preliminary were:  Abbey Frick, Crystal Monnin, Lauren Curton, Jim Kollars, Ashley Dueringer, Michelle Flannery, Kevin L. Grainger, and Bobby G. King Jr.

The finalists on the Wednesday preliminary were: Danny Slott, Katrina Shoemaker, Samantha Crooks, Dani Clevenger, Kyle Hudak, Dawn Gleva, Heath Mendenhall, and Maya Watson.

Several students enrolled in Communication Arts classes also took part in Speech Night, as guest speakers, ushers, timekeeper, and as master of ceremonies.  The judges for the preliminaries consisted of IU South Bend’s Public Speaking professors.

Stacie Jensen
Assistant Business Manager

Submit General Letters to the Editor (Volume 2, Issue 7)

To submit a general letter to the editor, simply add a comment to this post by clicking the ‘comments’ link below!

Thank you for reading the Vision!

When Freedom Meets Responsibility

In light of issues raised with policies of writing and of journalism in campus publications, the IUSB Vision is extending an invitation to the IUSB Preface, to work together to create a Campus Charter of News Publications. The Vision also invites the advice of the Journalism program at the Raclin School of the Arts. This charter will be a cooperative effort at determining what we should write and the balance between freedom of speech, and responsibilities of publishing.

The start of this debate was news of an alleged rape on campus. This was reported both on campus as well as in a off-campus publication. Here are the facts that merited coverage: The identities of the parties involved were not released, the suspect is known by the authorities but is not in custody, the campus investigation is complete, but no formal charges have been filed. Neither the accused nor the accuser has made comments to the press, the case has been known for a month but no crime alert has been released. It was decided – and not disputed – that there is no risk to anyone else on campus. Finally, there has been news that rumors have been floating around campus.

In a conversation with the IUSB Vision, the Director of IUSB Safety and Security said, “In this case, for reasons I can’t really go into, I do not feel that anyone on campus was at risk. Consequently no crime alert was issued because given the nature of the case, the situation, no one else is at risk.”

In light of this, the IUSB Vision intends to not focus its attention to the unidentified, the un-filed, and the unknown.  Of the utmost importance should be respecting the privacy of those involved. Instead, this publication will focus on a wider issue – a discussion raising the issue of the breach the privacy of the two involved parties. At this point comes a legitimate question: if the identities of the parties were not disclosed, would privacy be an issue? Basically, the answer comes to the inflammation of the very rumors mentioned in the news article – rumors that could affect not only the actual parties involved, but any student to whom the rumor could apply.

Two high-ranking members of the Vision had known about the case for the past month. While not instructed by the authorities to keep the case private, it would have violated the right to privacy of the involved parties. The editorial leadership of the Vision strongly supports the decision of these members not to break this story.

This is a time for campus publications, and campus readers to look closely in the mirror to see whether certain information should be released if it takes away the rights of individuals, while having no real facts to present. At the same time, what this publication does not want to do is make this another polarized debate. We are inspired by Vice Chancellor Dr Ilene Sheffer whose own mission is to “inherit something that isn’t perfect, with the true desire to make it better by the time you leave.” (Women in Prominent Positions, page 4) The Vision does not imagine itself to be perfect – Page 5 will acknowledge one of our own errors. It is our hope that as a whole, campus publications will move forward together as well, in this only time will tell.

The Editorial Board of the Vision

NYT Admits Saddam Preserved Nuclear and Chemical Weapons Programs

How many times did we hear it from the antique media that “Saddam had no WMD or programs to make them” which translated into the whole “Bush lied people died” nonsense? I have many articles in my archive (and our friends at Google have them cashed) that tell us over and over again that not only did Saddam not have WMD, but that he did not have the programs for them either. Those of us who actually read the inspection team reports knew better.

The David Kay inspection team and the Charles Duelfer inspection team found labs, equipment, personnel and documents that demonstrated Saddam was preserving some WMD programs in static for the purpose of waiting until the heat was off so he could start producing them again. These were programs that Hans Blix and his team were unable to find using the old inspection regime.

Here are some excerpts from Kay Inspection Team Report:

We have discovered dozens of WMD-related program activities and significant amounts of equipment that Iraq concealed from the United Nations during the inspections that began in late 2002. The discovery of these deliberate concealment efforts have come about both through the admissions of Iraqi scientists and officials concerning information they deliberately withheld and through physical evidence of equipment and activities that ISG has discovered that should have been declared to the UN.

With regard to Iraq’s nuclear program, the testimony we have obtained from Iraqi scientists and senior government officials should clear up any doubts about whether Saddam still wanted to obtain nuclear weapons. They have told ISG that Saddam Hussein remained firmly committed to acquiring nuclear weapons.

A clandestine network of laboratories and safehouses within the Iraqi Intelligence Service that contained equipment subject to UN monitoring and suitable for continuing CBW research.

New research on BW-applicable agents, Brucella and Congo Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF), and continuing work on ricin and aflatoxin were not declared to the UN.

Documents and equipment, hidden in scientists’ homes, that would have been useful in resuming uranium enrichment by centrifuge and electromagnetic isotope separation (EMIS).

According to the Duelfer Inspection Team Report while Saddam’s nuclear program was somewhat degraded by the loss of personnel over the years “Saddam preserved the intellectual capital of his old nuclear program” and “was only six months away from producing mustard gas” and had the “capability to produce nerve agents in significant quantities within two years.” The Iraq Survey Group Report also states that development of long-range missiles, banned under the 17 UN resolutions passed between 1991 and 2003, continued unabated.

So this brings us to the New York Times. The Times published an article on November 3, 2006 (just in time for election day but I am sure that is just a total coincidence) that was intended to slam the Bush Administration for releasing Iraqi intelligence documents on the internet that included plans for nuclear and chemical weapons that were so advanced that most any country, including Iran, could have used them.

New York Times:

On Sept. 20, the site posted a much larger document, “Summary of technical achievements of Iraq’s former nuclear program.” It runs to 51 pages, 18 focusing on the development of Iraq’s bomb design. Topics included physical theory, the atomic core and high-explosive experiments. By early October, diplomats and officials said, United Nations arms inspectors in New York and their counterparts in Vienna were alarmed and discussing what to do.

The government had received earlier warnings about the contents of the Web site. Last spring, after the site began posting old Iraqi documents about chemical weapons, United Nations arms-control officials in New York won the withdrawal of a report that gave information on how to make tabun and sarin, nerve agents that kill by causing respiratory failure.

The documents, he added, could perhaps help Iran or other nations making a serious effort to develop nuclear arms, but probably not terrorists or poorly equipped states. The official, who requested anonymity because of his agency’s rules against public comment, called the papers “a road map that helps you get from point A to point B, but only if you already have a car.”

Among the dozens of documents in English were Iraqi reports written in the 1990’s and in 2002 for United Nations inspectors in charge of making sure Iraq abandoned its unconventional arms programs after the Persian Gulf war. Experts say that at the time, Mr. Hussein’s scientists were on the verge of building an atom bomb, as little as a year away.

Weren’t we told that the Saddam being a year away from building a nuke was just another lie cooked up by the sinister Bush Administration? Weren’t we told that Saddam had no WMD programs? Weren’t we told that Hans Blix had made sure that there were no more programs and that Clinton had destroyed the last of Saddam’s WMD?

I have article after article that appeared prominently in most of the major newspapers in the country that said that the Kay and Duelfer inspection teams indicated that Saddam not only had no WMD, but no programs as well. USAToday even reported that the inspection teams said that Iraq had no facilities to produce WMD. Those of us that actually read the inspection team reports know that the antique media was not telling us the whole truth, but was actively painting a false picture.

The New York Times had to let the cat out of the bag so that they could take a pre-election shot at the Bush Administration.

Chuck Norton
News Analyst

Is There a Moral Justification For Abortion?

One of the biggest problems in society today is the arguments over reproductive rights.  It is an issue that has been taken and used by members of the neo-conservative right in order to hijack the vote of citizens of faith. The difficulty of this issue is it is an easy knee-jerk reaction issue. No thought is needed, all a person hears is ‘killing babies’ and they suddenly become Republican.  Little consideration is given to the mother, society, or the Bible these leaders supposedly take their inspiration from. I’d like to take a moment to show why it’s not a clear cut issue in the most basic argument used, the religious one.

Biblically there is more than enough support for the idea that some passages may actually support the idea of abortion under extreme circumstances.  In Ecclesiastes 6 while discussing the circumstances of “a man who fathers a hundred children” the comment is made “Better the miscarriage than he, for it comes in futility and goes into obscurity; and its name is covered in obscurity.  It never sees the sun and it never knows anything, it is better off than he.” This is a fairly clear instance of it being said better that one was never born, for a life of misery awaited. How is this different than the circumstances today where a child may be born to a family that hates it, but refuses to give it up? It suffers beatings and abuse until it grows old enough to strike back?  It is far better to allow those who wish children to raise them, and those who do not wish children to avoid having them. 

There is also a passage in Leviticus 27 giving the value of certain groups for judicial reasons. Most interesting is that the child is not assigned a monetary value until it has passed a month in life. In Ezekiel 37 a soldier is being reformed and reanimated by God, but it is clear that no life exists without breath. The same is true for Adam when he is created, and in Genesis a pregnant women is burned at the stake.  Wouldn’t it be appropriate for the innocent fetus’s killers to then be burned under the old law, if indeed that fetus were considered a person?

These are just a few examples where Biblical passages approach a definition of life. In no way are they absolute arguments for (or against) abortion.  As always, I encourage people to look them up and read the context, for most anti-choice passages are quoted incorrectly.  Out of context, I could show you why the Bible supports the mauling of children for mocking a bald man. So always look it up.

The point though is that the passages cited cast some suspicion on the life at conception idea, and each person should make their own decision.  When they come to that decision, it is equally important that they allow others to do the same. It is not a clear cut issue.  Either way, some bad happens. It’s drastically worse though to force someone to have a child when they aren’t ready, potentially ruining the lives of both and damaging the other family around them. Our society is supposed to be free though. So let people make the choices necessary to find fulfillment when the time is right. When abortion was illegal, women were beaten to death by men who didn’t want to be fathers. The desperation at not having a child often translated into dangerous back ally operations that could scar them for life, if they survived. Most importantly, women were subject to their bodies, not the other way around. In a society where we strive for equality, none of that is acceptable.

Ryan Hill
Writer

Videogame Systems to Die For

Last weekend eager gamers waited in line of their local retail stores for anywhere from 5 to 48 hours for a chance to get a Playstation 3 or a Nintendo Wii videogame system. The $500.00 to $600.00 Playstation 3 was released on Friday November 17th and the $250.00 Nintendo Wii on Sunday November 19th. 

In Putnam Connecticut, gamer’s excitement turned to tragedy when a man was shot while camping for his Playstation 3 system. At 3:00 A.M. three men with a weapon and ski masks approached the 15 – 20 people waiting in line outside of Wal-mart and demanded their money. When one man refused, he was shot and the alleged teenage gunman ran away empty handed.  His condition is unknown.

It is common knowledge amongst the gaming community that the large gaming developers such as Microsoft and Sony are more notorious than others such as Nintendo for deliberately under-shipping the first wave of consoles to build hype. 

There were 400,000 Playstation 3 systems distributed on the initial release and there is no saying when the next shipment will come in. Rumors suggest anywhere from mid-December to March of next year. Meanwhile, Nintendo is expected to ship 4,000,000 units before Christmas of this year, allowing most gamers interested in their system an opportunity to have one for Christmas and the holidays. Microsoft had released its X-Box 360 system over the previous holiday.

I had an opportunity to participate in the excitement. On Saturday night, I waited in line at Wal-mart for over 6 hours to receive a Nintendo Wii.  One other gamer stated in his excitement, “I’ve been waiting for this system to come out for two years. I just hope I don’t get shot on my way out of here.” Most coined the now highly popular innuendo involving Nintendo’s interesting selection of the console name, “When we’re done here, who wants to come to my house and play with my Wii?”

At 10:00 P.M., Wal-mart faculty handed tickets out to the first twenty individuals in line who would receive the system. One disappointed middle-aged man, who believed he was cut in line yelled angrily to the front of the line “Thanks for line jumping fellas, I really appreciate it.” He then stormed away from the area. Dead silence came over those of us waiting, and excitement turned into fear when we realized some people meant serious business.

After the incident, other gamers and I approached the Wal-mart security asking if they were going to have escorts for those who purchase the system. The gentleman behind the counter stated, “Most definitely, believe me, your safety is our number one concern.” This alleviated most of our fears. 

At the end of the night, gamers were watched diligently as they headed to their cars. Overall, I was impressed with how the situation was handled at the Wal-mart in Goshen. I have had only a small opportunity to try out the Nintendo Wii system, and have been thoroughly impressed with it. This experienced showed me one thing; gamers have a different breed of dedication, and are willing to go through the risk to get what they want. I don’t know whether to be proud or terrified.

Craig Chamberlin
Assistant Editor

Campus Security Working to Ensure Campus Safety

With the news of the recent alleged rape leaking out to the IU South Bend student body, many students have begun to wonder if our school is safe. Students are beginning to wonder, “What if?  What if something were to happen to me? Am I at risk?”

According to Martin Gersey, Director of Campus Security, the answer is no. Whatever happened, or didn’t, in Northside Hall is considered an isolated incident, and the students of IU South Bend should not be alarmed. In fact, if students are still worried, they can feel secure knowing the Campus Security will provide services whenever a student feels frightened or just wants to be precautious.

If a student loses track of time, and realizes he or she will have to walk a long distance alone in the dark to reach their car, all they need to do is call Campus Security, and an escort will be provided.  Safety is a high priority on campus.

If your car is stalled, or you are in need of a jump or some minor help, just call Campus Security and they can offer some services to help you start your vehicle.

If anyone you know is in need of medical attention immediately, feel secure knowing that all of Campus Security has been trained in CPR, and some can even provide EMT services minutes before an ambulance arrives, possibly saving a life in those precious minutes. There is even a special hotline from any school phone, 9-9-1-1 (yes, remember the extra 9), and it will get you in contact with emergency personnel immediately.

And, even if the unimaginable happens, and you are a victim of some crime, take this advice: contact Campus Security or some emergency personnel IMMEDIATELY, and they will put you in contact with the right medical and police professionals who will give you the service you need promptly. Remember, in these cases, time is crucial. But rest assured knowing that there has never been a rape reported on this campus before the recent allegation.

Campus Security provides manuals with information describing what to do if you are in need of assistance.  Every student and staff member should have one of these, but if you have somehow slipped through the cracks, they are available on IU South Bend’s Campus Security webpage.
 
Stacie Jensen
Assistant Business Manager

Conversation On Race Hits Ten Year Milestone

At a quarter till seven on Thursday, November 16, 2006 a full house of people from all walks of life can be heard mingling together while finding an empty seat to hear Manning Marable speak out about race.    

An interesting factor about this year’s conversation is that this year marks the tenth anniversary for “Conversations on Race”.

The night started off with Charlotte Pfeifer congratulating students and staff for their contribution and participation to make this community event actually happen. Following Pfeifer, honorary member, Dr. Alfred Guillaume Jr. took the podium to discuss the idea of racism and the needs to help solve such problems.

After Guillaume’s short introduction of the speaker, Manning Marable took the stage and pushed the subject matter deeper.  Marable discussed topics regarding the relationship between democracy and diversity.  Marable states that “we’re turning on a light in a dark room.  We’re in this together”. By acknowledging our differences and the pros and cons that incorporate diversity, we are able to come together and learn more about each other on an individual level as well as a nation. At the end of the speeches, Marable’s books were available for purchase and signatures.

This speech was just beginning. The “Conversation on Race” was a three day event that discussed these topics. Small workshops were set up around campus for more specific topics on race.  It was estimated that over 200 area high school students would participate in the conversations.

With the “Conversations on Race” hitting their tenth anniversary and going strong, the future looks not only secure for more conversations, but they will surely continue to secure the new education about race for those who attend.
    
Stacy Rummel
Managing Editor

Response from the Senator

Each time I pick up a copy of the Vision’s latest edition, I am fascinated by its clarity, organization, and good substance. I wish each time my fellow students approached our vending machines on campus, they would feel the same about the quality of vending machine services. Unfortunately, that is not always the case (Please see letter to the Editor).

As the chairman of Vending Machines Committee, I’d like to address this issue. I have contacted both Mr. Steve Rose (Director of Dining Services) and Ms. Debbie Richards (director’s assistant), to discuss what we could do to enhance the quality of services and to add new features to the vending machines. I specifically asked them whether we could take part in upcoming contract negotiations with “Coke.” Unfortunately, as of now, for reasons unclear to me, negotiations must be private.

Another issue is the lack of nutritional info outside the machines. Ms. Richard’s response was that even if we had info booklets attached to machines, they most likely would be vandalized. She also pointed out that the vending companies might charge higher prices in that case.

With all due respect, I do not agree with Ms. Richards; if we had student participation during contract negotiations, companies providing services would be willing to be more flexible and more responsible. Let us not forget that our campus is an enormous market for the vending companies; if our students had enough power, we could get rid of mediocre companies and invite high-quality ones. I am still in contact with the Dining Services department, and I hope our committee achieves at least some positive results.

Senator Vince Huseynli

Letter to the Editor

I was wondering if anyone out there has any idea on how to replace the vending machines in Greenlawn (and campus wide)? There are always problems with them. I know in a perfect world, they would all work all the time. They are machines and I expect problems, but not all the time. 

In Greenlawn, for example, one machine cannot accept dollar bills (it has the capability but that function is broken), another machine normally has outdated food, another just does not work most of the time, and still another likes to take students money but will not dispense any products or even give change back! I am sure the other vending machines on campus have problems also. Who exactly is in charge of these things? What needs to be done or who needs to be contacted in order to replace the old/worn out machines with ones that work? How many students need to complain before something is done? 

To me, it seems like a simple fix….replace the vending machines with ones that work consistently. This has been an ongoing problem for several years….what does it take to finally fix the problem? 

Lisa Marek

Poker Club Showcase

When you look at the list of clubs to get involved with at IU South Bend there are many of interesting clubs, but one might jump out jump out at you to say “really, we have a Poker Club?”  Yes it’s true.

The IUSB Poker Club is in its second year in existence and as you can imagine they have had quite a few hoops to jump through. The club focuses mostly on the game of Texas Hold’em and bringing the fun and challenge that the game offers to the students on campus.  The club has a strict no gambling policy and all the events that the club holds, like their upcoming Tournament on December 1, are completely free. But the association of Texas Hold’em with gambling has been an issue for understanding the club.

The real goal of the club is simple: providing fun, safe, and legal entertainment for the students on campus, no different then the basketball team. 

The club has raised around $1500 through fundraisers and sponsorships. All of the money has been reinvested back into the club to provide a better experience for students at the tournaments.  In the most recent acquisition the club will be providing 2 brand new 84” authentic Texas Hold’em tables giving the players the chance for that real game experience. Where else can you match your current skills, try  the game for the first time, or just have fun with over 100 other from the area? Thanks to the IUSB Poker Club, you can do it right here on campus.

Article Contributed by:
Mike Renfrow
Poker Club President

Women in Prominent Positions: Vice Chancellor Dr. Ilene Sheffer

Do you think an event where students get to meet and address their concerns directly to the Chancellor is a black-tie event, packed to the brim with formalities? Not under Dr Ilene Sheffer’s watch, where it is called “Chow with the Chancellor” – inspired from a like event, created at her previous university, called “Pizza with the President”. “As you can see, I like alliteration,” she says, chuckling. In Dr Sheffer there is that very combination of serious issues and an informal flair that puts people at ease, vital for her role as the Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs and University Advancement.

Currently in her fourth year at IUSB, Dr Sheffer has a two-fold mission. In the arena of Public Affairs she addresses criticisms, as well as the individual needs of the students. As for University Advancement her efforts are to promote the institution to continue to garner funds for the development of IUSB.  In her own words, her mission is to “put the campus’s best foot forward… and putting forward the university’s story.”

A picture may be worth a million words, but in this case, words – in way of stories we can be proud of – can be worth millions too, for the benefit of further education. In the twenty years prior to the creation of the Division of Public Affairs and University Advancement, 9.9 million dollars was raised, but in the mere three and a half years the Division has been around, the figure adds up to an additional 7.8 million dollars raised.

Where does this money go? Some of it goes to the general development of the university – people may be surprised to know that tuition and state funds do not completely cover the costs of running an institution like IUSB. Other parts of it have far more visible results, like the Elkhart Center, an IUSB university center that covers some 24,000 square feet and is due to be open next fall.

Efforts and achievements such as these come from Dr Sheffer’s career in education spanning some 30 years – starting as a kindergarten teacher, then later a secondary school principal, followed by being Vice President at Southwestern Michigan College before arriving here at IUSB. When asked about the uniqueness and characteristics of women in prominent positions, Dr Sheffer says that to women, multi-tasking is second nature. “We can juggle family, and job, and civic work, with great aplomb” she says.

The shelves in her office are some indication of that very multitasking; rows of thick official binders of university work are neighbors with pictures of family (as well as one with donor, Muhammad Ali)… and shoes.  Lining two shelves are half a dozen decorated shoes, some miniature and some life-sized, with glitter and sparkle and small American flags. Collecting shoes is one of her passions, and these are among gifts from people at her previous institution. When she came here, Dr Sheffer ensured she brought to her office the ones which had IUSB colors, crimson and cream.

Dr Sheffer and Chancellor Reck share a similar vision, to be open to criticism and “inherit something that may not be perfect, with the true desire to make it better by the time you leave.” A prominent plan uniquely unfolds myriad multitasking… apparently alliteration’s addictive!

Andrew Filmer
Graphics Editor
    

This Week in History (Mythbuster)

This week in history will be a little different since everyone, not just people in Indiana can appreciate these historical facts. I will now become the “mythbuster” of the
IUSB Vision. Any youngster of any American elementary school could give you a pretty good rendition of the first Thanksgiving. It is well known that Pilgrims and Indians came together to celebrate the settlers’ first harvest in the New World with a feast of turkey and mashed potatoes. Actually, the holiday itself wasn’t created until 1863, and the Thanksgiving story was later developed as a way to teach immigrants about “Americanism.” Here are some of the myths and how they are busted.

The myth states that the English settlers at Plymouth Plantation  hosted the First Thanksgiving, a holiday the Pilgrims brought with them from England in 1621, and it
has been celebrated ever since. The fact is, according to the History
Channel Web site (www.history.com), both the English and the Wampanoag tribe celebrated the harvest with feasts and festivals before the First Thanksgiving. President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it a National holiday after the Civil War, as an attempt to bolster national unity.

Yet another myth states that the Pilgrims invited the Indians to share their harvest. In fact, they did share, but the reason that both groups had a harvest was due to the
kindness of the Wampanoag Indians. The English settlers were ill prepared for their errand into the wilderness and would likely have starved without help, according to many scholars. As we were all told the Pilgrims and Indians worked together in the wild environment of the New World. This is also not entirely true. Even with the rocky land cleared for them, the Pilgrims still had to be taught how to sustain themselves by the Native Americans in the area.  So there it is…Myth Busted! 

Carlie Barr
Writer

Edited by:
Jarrod Brigham

From the President’s Pen

First off, I’d like to start by wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving. I know that I’m looking forward to sleeping in for a day and eating way too much meat. Speaking of meat, the SGA is moving to make a big difference at this campus. A few weeks ago I asked that every senator research and submit at least one thing that they would like to work on, to help make our campus better.

Here is what they have submitted to me thus far in a nutshell: Senator Romero would like to work on the issue of smoking areas on campus. Although he knows it is a sensitive subject, he would like to see a designated place for smokers to puff, so that those who don’t smoke will not be bothered as they walk around campus. Senator Peak would like to work on finding a qualified Director of Health and Wellness.
Senator KochKetola would like to work on issues including preserving and restoring legislative processes, and increasing access for students to study more on campus.

Senator Santos would like to see the SGA be a more representative government. She suggested having a senator from each school at IUSB, plus six senators-at-large. Senator Bryant would like to work on adjusting the absence policy for the working students.
Senator Huseynli would like to work on many things, including vending machine nutritional awareness and sports supplements in the gym. Senator Perrin would like to see what can be done about keeping the library open twenty-four hours a day.

Senator Granados would like to increase awareness of all the opportunities that are not fully utilized by students on campus.
Senator Mantiziba would like to improve the communication between advisors, professors and the counseling department, among many other ideas.

I look forward to hearing the ideas and suggestions of senators Jumbe, Royer, and Galicia.

Our Treasurer, Crissy Counsellor, would like to address the graduation ceremony, so that students get an academic mention for their achievements. My Chief of Staff, Kim Muncie, would like to instate her idea call “Junior Reorientation”. This would mean that once students achieve Junior status they are reminded of things they might forget, like searching for internships, buying a class ring, etc.

I have several thoughts myself, including: Helping to get funding for the Associates building, addressing the issues with the Arts department; in terms of student attendance to art functions, introducing RUCKUS (a program to allow students to download free music/media) to our campus, working with the future development of the library (have a new coffee shop/study area put in) in reaction to campus housing, and doing my part in the ground being broken for student housing.

There is a lot to be done at our university, and I am excited about being in a position to get these ideas looked at and accomplished!

Marcus Vigil

Heart and Sold: The Scholarship Art Sale

The Scholarship Art Sale, co-sponsored by the Ernestine M. Raclin School of the Arts and the Visual Arts League, was held November 16-18 at the Arts Gallery. Approximately 600 pieces of art by students, faculty and alumni were showcased, priced from a dollar to 800 dollars. Twenty percent of the proceeds went towards scholarships in the visual arts, and 5 percent to the Visual Arts League to further promote such events. The Student Government Association also provided support for the Art Sale.

Some 50 artists were featured in a large variety of art. Items included large paintings in the style of stamps, and a mixed media work based on a plant, complete with bulbs – light bulbs, that is. Within the first hour and a half, over 60 people had attended the event, and empty spaces on walls indicated their financial support.

Artist Jason Cytacki’s oil painting of a penguin and a clay hand graced the promotional posters and postcards. For him, a benefit of the event was  presenting art in a proper setting and a different environment from that which the art was created. Visual arts lecturer Ron Monsma’s view was similar. “It is not only for the students but for the department,” he said. “Students get the experience of displaying and selling their work. It’s a lot of fun and the department benefits greater for it.”

“Each year builds a little bit more,” said Teresa Santos, President of the Visual Arts League and student coordinator for the event. She also noted that for student artists, having work displayed next to nationally and internationally recognized artists takes the intimidation out of presentation, and moves them into a professional position.

Andrew Filmer
Graphics Editor

Thank Your Campus Veterans

If you would like to leave a message to the campus veterans just click the ‘comments’ link below. 

General Letters to the Editor (Volume 2, Issue 6)

To submit a general letter to the editor simply click the ‘comments’ link below this post. Thank you for your continued readership!

The IUSB Vision Staff

Responding to: From the Beltway of the SGA (Issue 5)

Dear Rashida,

I’d like to take a minute to thank you for your commentary on me in the Sept. 12th issue of Vision, and I’d also like to respond. You mention that instead of abstaining from voting, I should have voted for the issues or against them. Well, briefly here is why I abstained.

Unfortunately, I had employment problems and missed some initial meetings. I thought abstaining because of that would be my best option. I did not want to resign, because we were short four senators; my resignation would have exacerbated our SGA’s situation even further.

Having said that, I’d like to add that there is more to me and my SGA work than those two instances of abstention. I have been elected to serve my fellow students, and I am precisely fulfilling that idea. I have been bringing up some interesting issues and, in cooperation with my fellow officers, trying to work on them. Here are just a few of them:
I chair a “Vending Machines Issues” committee whose goal is to make the administration and vending companies to place product-related info outside the machines so our fellow students know what they pay for “pre-purchase.” Unprecedented.

I was uneasy with the idea of having a “social security” related question on job applications on campus. No employer needs that info prior to hiring. After contacting the HR department I was assured that our school is gradually doing away with this practice.
I intend to set up and chair a “Sports Supplements” committee that will make it possible to sell sports supplements in the gym.

I chair an “Electronic Student Polling” committee to work with the IT department and the administration to set up an online polling feature to gain feedback from students. Currently we have none.

I intend to chair an “Academic Policies and Grading” committee that will seek to homogenize policies of all the departments so we can have across-the-board policies, as opposed to individual policies.

I hope that we can keep it real for the students (thanks Senator Ben) and that our SGA can achieve unprecedented goals this year.

Senator Vince Huseynli

From the Beltway of the SGA

At Friday’s Student Government meeting, President Vigil followed up his State of the SGA address where he called on the Senate to bring forth student issues for the government to tackle. Senators went around the room bringing up the issues they would like to engage in during the upcoming months. This is a good move for the government as it puts the focus back on solving student issues instead of internal issues that seemed to be distracting the government recently. 

On a historical note, minutes from years past indicate that former President Mike Renfrow made the same call on the Senate last spring, calling for ideas and giving a timeline, but then he never followed through to bring the Senate back to the table, as President Vigil has done. So I congratulate the current President on his perseverance in keeping the government moving forward.

New Senator David Romero talked about working to enforce the smoking policy on campus.  This is a great idea and was presented in a diplomatic manner by saying he wanted to work on enforcing the policy without attacking smokers. His goals were given direct verbal support from Senators Mitch Royer and Misty Perrin. Bravo Senators.

Senator Erkki Kochketola brought up exploring options to bring back a 24 hour study facility on campus, something lost when Greenlawn hall started closing at midnight. Chief of Staff Kim Muncie brought up an idea about a “junior re-orientation” to help students transition out of the university and Treasurer Crissy Counsellor brought up some interesting ideas for changes during the actual graduation ceremony.   

These are all very interesting ideas which directly affect students and merit the governments’ efforts.

I want to say congratulations to the government for their efforts to come together as a whole to hit some issues of substance and of interest to the average student. I wish you all good luck in implementing these ideas and I hope you would feel free to share your ideas in more depth on our weblog, www.iusb.edu/~sbvision.

Rashida Vindic
SGA Analyst

NYT Admits It Was Wrong To Leak Terror Surveillance Program

When the New York Times published articles about top-secret terror surveillance programs they were greatly criticized by those who wanted us to win the war on terror. Hyper-partisans praised the Times for leaking what they called an illegal program. They also made claims that in order to monitor terror suspect’s overseas conversations and transactions that the President needed warrants from civilian courts. This was in spite of the fact that the US Supreme Court (Katz 1967 and restricting it to foreign threats in US v. District Court in 1972) and the FISA Court of Appeals (2002) have both ruled that the President has the authority to gather foreign intelligence information without a warrant.

The simple truth is that the surveillance either affected non “U.S. persons” or international transactions or conversations. Those who said that this was an “illegal domestic surveillance program” were spinning. If Johnny bin-Laden is calling you from Pakistan, or if you are calling him in Pakistan, you do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Hence this brings us to the October 22 New York Times admission of wrong-doing in leaking one of these secret surveillance programs. This particular mea culpa involves the intentional leaking of the SWIFT program that monitored the financial transactions of terror suspects overseas. This was a program that President Bush, some Democratic members of Congress, and Lee Hamilton, the co-chair of the 9/11 Commission asked the Times not to publish.

Here is a part of what the Times had to say in that article:

Since the job of public editor requires me to probe and question the published work and wisdom of Times journalists, there’s a special responsibility for me to acknowledge my own flawed assessments.

My July 2 column strongly supported The Times’s decision to publish its June 23 article on a once-secret banking-data surveillance program. After pondering for several months, I have decided I was off base. There were reasons to publish the controversial article, but they were slightly outweighed by two factors to which I gave too little emphasis. While it’s a close call now, as it was then, I don’t think the article should have been published.

Those two factors are really what bring me to this corrective commentary: the apparent legality of the program in the United States, and the absence of any evidence that anyone’s private data had actually been misused.

I haven’t found any evidence in the intervening months that the surveillance program was illegal under United States laws.

I am amazed that the Times had the courage to admit this (even though it was buried) and I hope that it is a sign that the newspaper will start to act more responsibly. It seems that all the rhetoric from the hyper-partisans about how Bush was trashing the Constitution with these programs was just that – rhetoric.

What amazes me the most from the Times was this final admission as to why they chose to leak a top-secret program that had helped us stop terrorists:

What kept me from seeing these matters more clearly earlier in what admittedly was a close call? I fear I allowed the vicious criticism of The Times by the Bush administration to trigger my instinctive affinity for the underdog and enduring faith in a free press…

In plain old Indiana talk this adds up to revenge. How dare that evil Bush Administration critique the New York Times; who do they think they are anyway? Well the Times sure showed us didn’t they?

Chuck Norton
News Analyst

Democrats Strong on National Defence

Democrats have taken a lot of fire from the GOP lately. The biggest concern on many people’s minds has been national security. Unfortunately, many have bought the GOP line that Democrats are weak on terror and have no plan to secure the United States against threats. With mid-term elections this week, and Presidential in two years, I feel it’s necessary to take a look at the plans the Democrats have, instead of dwelling any more on the abysmal failure that has come from the Republicans.

The Democratic plan is fairly straight forward. Catch Osama Bin Laden, destroy terrorist groups, destroy the conditions that create them, and securing loose nuclear materials to prevent potential WMD’s from getting into terrorist hands. This is fairly straightforward; but how do they plan on achieving this? As listed at www.democrat.gov in the security plan, Democrats will double the size of U.S. Special Forces units, the forces best trained to deal with terrorists and insurgent groups in urban areas. The plan also calls for extensive funding of human intelligence capabilities.

That’s how the terrorists will be found and destroyed.  However, as has (hopefully) been learned in the last few years, that’s only a fraction of the battle. The Democratic plan, unlike the Republican, has a focus on eliminating the reasons for terrorism. It calls for combating the economic, social, and political conditions that have left people easy prey for extremist leaders. This is a stark contrast of the Republican plan that has been deliberately provoking these conditions.

National security relies on the men and women of our military, and it’s time we started respecting that. The Democratic plan also calls for a G.I. Bills of Rights that would guarantee all active, reserve, and veteran troops the benefits they deserve. This is in contrast to the Republican plan to slash VA benefits by restricting the Post Traumatic Stress allowances, and even going as far as to investigate “whether a disability or death of a veteran should be compensated.”*

It is also vital we secure avenues of entry into the nation, and to this end the Democratic plan calls for screening of 100% of cargo entering the nation, as well as better security at food supplies and nuclear power stations. This was a major demand of the 9/11 commission, but has gone largely neglected. While we send soldiers overseas to fight on foreign grounds, we have left a door wide open for attacks on our nation.   The Democratic plan has called for fixing this gross oversight.

So here is a plan for national security. Unlike the Republicans, the Democrats have spelled out what the priorities are with a competent plan to deal with extremists in Iraq and elsewhere. This is followed by the changes needed to secure our nation from future attacks, likely caused by GOP irresponsibility abroad. The GOP wants to stay the course and continue destroying our credibility, using torture, and as always, ignoring the symptoms of the conflicts this country faces.

Ryan Hill
Writer
*http://www.vawatchdog.org/milcom/vdbcstackeddeck.htm

Roger Waters Speaks Out Against the War

Last month, I had the privilege of seeing Pink Floyd’s legendary Roger Waters perform songs from both his new album To Kill The Child / Leaving Beirut and the famous Dark Side of the Moon. One could imagine the excitement of the previous months leading up to the concert. After a four hour drive and a half an hour wait in line, the show began. Within the first hour, my excitement turned to utter disappointment, when Roger began to sing Leaving Beirut from his new album, which I had not yet heard. Roger Waters has always been known for his open disapproval for violence, conformity and war. His previous albums were littered with these concepts, and it is what made them so famous.  However, never did I expect the advocator of peace to become an instigator for hate. 

Leaving Beirut brings people back to a hitch-hiking excursion Waters had made in Lebanon back in the 1960s where he was taken in by a family. Touched by the generosity, Waters creates an emotionally powered sympathized message towards the middle-east: “Are these the people that we should bomb? Are we so sure they mean us harm?”  Around me stood hundreds of people, inhibited by alcohol, becoming emotionally attached to Water’s message.  He continues: “Don’t let the might, the Christian right, <explicit> it all up for you and the rest of the world.” Immediately, cheering ensues from the crowd. They had made their decision, the war had become the direct responsibility of the Christian Right.

Ironically, Waters fails to grasp the reality of the message he preaches. While claiming to be advocating peace, he advocates hatred towards both the Bush administration and towards the Christian right. He also fails to grasp it is not only Christians on the right who stand for the war, but individuals of all denominations, political parties and faiths. In fact, many Christians on the right are against the war. Leaving Beirut is a testament to the hypocrisy of the entertainment industry. If you are not with them, you are against them and deserve to be put down.

Craig Chamberlin
Assistant Editor

A Day On Board… Veterans’ Day

Operations Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Gil Martin served in the military for over twenty years.  After being drafted in 1971, Martin enlisted in the Air Force.

Martin was stationed  in Vietnam, Iceland, Germany, Arizona, Florida, Alaska, and New Mexico before leaving in 1981.

In 1985, Martin, reenlisted in the Navy.  As an Operations Specialist, he worked as an Air Intercept Controller which meant he was in charge of guiding aircraft into positions to shoot down enemy fighters and missiles.

In 1988 Martin served in the Persian Gulf on a fast boat escorting oil tankers and assisting Navy SEAL missions.  During Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Martin was stationed only 80 miles outside of Kuwait.

From 1994-1996, Martin was stationed on the USS Roosevelt off the coast of Bosnia when the conflict started.

Martin adds “I’ve been around the world 7 times and would do it all again”.

A Day On Board… Veterans’ Day

Specialist Mike Renfrow graduated from Bluffton High School in the spring of 1996 and enlisted in the Army by June of that year.  He spent 8 weeks in basic training at Ft. Leonardwood, MO.  Then it was on to the Defense Language Institute in Monterrey, CA where he spent 1 year learning Persian Farsi, which is the language spoken in Iran.

Renfrow continued training in Texas and Arizona before being stationed at Ft. Gordon, GA.  While there, Renfrow served as a Signal Intercept Analyst for military intelligence.

While at Ft. Gordon, Specialist Renfrow translated and analyzed intercepted radio communications from Iraq and Iran.

Renfrow was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal while at Ft. Gordon and twice received the Commander’s Coin.  He also designed a brigade sized training regiment for military intelligence.

In 2000, Specialist Renfrow received an honorable discharge.

A Day On Board… Veterans’ Day

Master Sergeant Jeff Johnston enrolled in the Army in 1985 as a military policeman stationed at Fort McClellan, AL.  Between 1986 and 1987 Johnston was stationed at Sierra Army Depot and the Oakland Army Base.

In 1987 he enlisted in Army Reserves and was promoted to Sergeant in 1988 and Staff Sergeant two years later.  In 1990, he took a voluntary active duty assignment in support of Operation Desert Storm with the 361st MP Company.  There he oversaw 40 soldiers charged with the processing of Iraqi detainees/ enemy prisoners of war.

Johnston transferred in 1993 to the Army Reserve School as an MP Instructor.  In 1996, he was reassigned with the 3rd MP Batallion/ 84th Institutional Training School.  It was at this post tat Johnston was in charge of the training of all military police in the state of Indiana.

On April 1st, 2006, Johnston retired from the army after serving his country for over 20 years.