Recycling

LAUREN HOLLISTER — You know with Earth Day coming up I’ve been thinking a lot about how USD has tried to change its policies regarding recycling over the past couple years. Students have taken the initiative and have created recycling centers in all the dorms, which amazingly, a majority of students actually take advantage of. And yet, with all the efforts being made towards becoming a more “green” campus, I was amazed to find out this little tidbit of information the other day.

You know those little plastic containers that Aramark food comes in, like for the salads and cakes and so on? Yeah, those can’t be recycled. They aren’t the right type of plastic. You just have to throw them away so they can go sit and not rot in a dump for years and years and years.

If USD was really serious and actually interested in creating a more environmentally friendly campus then why not ask Aramark to change the packaging of their food products? That way students can recycle their plastics rather than just create more waste by throwing them away.

I know a person who just recently went on a trip to a university somewhere in Canada. Apparently this school has become ‘carbon neutral’. This means that they don’t produce any excess carbon through electricity, garbage, etc. If one university can do, one that’s a whole lot bigger than ours by the way, then why can’t USD? It sounds like it was easy for them to do and inexpensive as well. With global warming looming over our heads every day I don’t see why USD can’t do more than just creating a few recycling centers in the dorms and instead start taking the first steps toward creating a more carbon neutral campus.

Button wars

DAVID WHITESOCK - Like a highly trained bloodhound tracking a fugitive, I can sniff out political propaganda like nobody’s business. I can spot political buttons and bumper stickers from miles away. It’s quite a remarkable scene to see, actually.

Surprisingly though, I have not seen many presidential candidate buttons or bumper stickers on this campus. Putting my political pundit hat on for a moment, the reason for this may be: 1) The candidates just don’t excite the average college student; 2) South Dakota does not matter for this primary season; 3) Simply political apathy; 4) The candidates suck — oh, wait, I already said that.

These are just some reasons. I do not think, however, that there aren’t people thinking about the presidential campaign, they’re just not wearing it on their sleeve, shall we say. I’ve seen only a few Obama buttons, a single Clinton bumper sticker and button, a single Romney button, numerous Ron Paul buttons (I had nothing to do with that… or did I?) and Ron Paul lawn signs, but nothing from McCain or Huckabee.

So this is the way it is. Nobody is excited enough to spend a few bucks on a button and wear it proudly in support of the candidate of their choice.

Despite this though, yesterday I was leaving I.D. Weeks and passed by the Romney button guy (don’t know him). His eyes met my Ron Paul button and mine his Romney button. Considering both our candidates won’t be filling out change of address forms for 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. any time soon, the glance traded was one of a conciliatory nature. There was an old time wink and a nod, suggesting that our guy put up a good fight for ideas which we each thought were the right ones and just because our guy is out, does not mean we should no longer stand by him. Our buttons symbolize the ideas of that candidate, and while candidates come and go, ideas don’t have to. Keep on, keepin’ on Romney button guy.

Silly.

KELSEY COLLIER-WISE — I’m loving the online poll on the Volante site.

 ”Would you work for minimum wage if you had to?”

If I had to? No, I’d just starve to death under a bridge.

A nation of laws?

DAVID WHITESOCK — Every day debate over the Iraq War consumes offices, coffee shops, and all other corners of human occupancy. One issue least debated are the legal dealings of our prisoners of terrorism being held at Guantanamo Bay. Numerous cases have been heard and decided by the United Supreme Court, stating more clearly with each case that the rule of law must take precedence over any national security claims by the government. In Rasul v. Bush (2004), the Supreme Court ruled that those imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay had a constitutional right to access the federal courts, via habeas corpus and otherwise. Additionally, they had a fundamental right to challenge their detention and conditions of confinement (CCR).

Despite the rulings of the Court, the Bush administration has further continued to block access to lawyers and ultimately the courts. With Zacarias Moussaoui — supposed conspirator of the September 11 attacks — the government is restricting access to evidence.

Moussaoui was not allowed to see the classified evidence against him and was shut out from closed-door hearings in which that evidence was laid out. His lawyers could advise him, but they could not discuss everything — only the evidence preapproved by prosecutors or the judge.

Defense lawyers say they were barred from even discussing with Moussaoui evidence that could help prove his innocence. They say Moussaoui faced an unconstitutional choice: plead guilty or go to trial without knowing the evidence. (MSNBC)

The government has stated that they wish to make these court proceedings against the Guantanamo Bay detainees a respected process of military law. Of course, drawing a distinction between what is so-called military law and what we all know as the law laid out by the Constitution. The Bush administration’s position is as simple as their president, the Constitution does not exist in the war on terror. Forget about being frightened by terrorists. This notion that the Constitution can, and has been, suspended in part and in whole by President Bush against all the principles which this country was founded upon.

Moussaoui’s attorneys are applying a simple principle in return to the Bush administration. They suggest that if the government wishes to treat these trials as proper criminal proceedings, then the fundamental right to question the evidence against you should be given to the defendant — Moussaoui. In every criminal case in this country, if you are a defendant, you have access to all the evidence the state has against you. You have this right in order to prepare a defense. You know the adage, “Innocent until proven guilty.” However, this is not the case at Gitmo. There, they are guilty and they must prove their innocence, yet, the government will not allow them a reasonable chance to pursue that innocence.

Regardless of any national security concerns, if the government is so sure of their evidence, then why not allow access to that evidence by the Gitmo detainees? Let them establish a defense. What does it matter? Considering the government has set up special military tribunals with judges hand-picked by Bush’s Justice Department, guilt is certainly assured.

I don’t know if the United States was ever looked upon by the world’s countries as a bastion for the rule of law, what with slavery, treatment of Native Americans and the continued use of the death penalty, but that notion is what we were taught in our early civics classes in government schools. America is a nation of laws, we were told. And today as taxpaying adults, we are still told that it is the law you will follow or you will lose your right to property and liberty. We have sacrificed our freedom for a sense of security. In the process we have proved to the world that we are not a nation of law, but one of dictates.

Cross-posted at http://fuglyville.davidwhitesock.com

Where’s the WiFi?

DAVID WHITESOCK — Like the good little nerd that I am, I took my bookbag, laptop and all, to the UND-USD men’s and women’s basketball games at the Dome on Thursday night. I’ve decided to remain neutral regarding this rivalry. I grew up in Grand Forks and still call it home, and, Sioux sports is a big part of the conversation when talking with my father and brother back home. So, when the Yotes and the Sioux get together, I like to just sit back and take in the atmosphere — I know, I’m a loser.

Anyway, I had no intention of going to the games on Thursday night, so when our Sports Editor (and my roommate) Jeremy Hoeck mentioned that he was headed to the Dome for USD vs. UND, I just had to tag along. Plus, one of my old radio buddies does the play-by-play for UND women’s games, and it would be rude had I not at least said hello. However, the point I am trying to get to, is that when I picked my spot up in the nosebleeds and fired up my laptop, I was left with just a large paper weight and a DomeDog — NO WiFi AT THE DOME!!!

What the hell? Is this, or is this not, 2008? Yes, I know, there are buildings on this campus that don’t have WiFi, and for the IT department at USD this has to be embarrassing. It is doubly embarrassing, however, not to have WiFi at the Dome. USD is the only NCC team in the conference that does not have WiFi in their sports facility. This makes it incredibly painful to be a sportswriter. One of the Grand Forks Herald reporters was mentioning this to Mr. Hoeck. How sad is this? The Dome, pardon my French, is a shitty place to not only play a basketball game, but to call a game and to watch a game.

For our Volante reporters, it is taxing as well because they are unable to post updates for the games online. Again, is this 2008? This is an easy fix, and not that expensive of one either. This needs to be a priority. In a few weeks, the NCC regional tournament will be here with reporters from all around the region. What does this say to them and what do they say when they go back home?

And, what about us nerds who like the ambiance of crowd noise, bouncing basketballs, screeching shoes and a horrible public address announcer to study by?

Huge surprise….not

Yeah so, I was pretty much delivered a roundhouse kick by Chuck Norris today in one of my classes. You know how we’ve all been hearing that the student center will be complete by Fall 2008. The administration, articles in the Volante, students, everyone has been repeating that enough ever since the CSC was torn down that we all chant it like some sort of soothing mantra. Well hey everyone, guess what…it’s not.

Ok, the real truth is that the exterior building of the student center WILL be complete by fall 2008 (or at least it better be). Thankfully, USD is still going to fine the construction company a couple thousand dollars every day that that construction of the student center goes past the completion date. The key word to focus on here is ‘exterior’. Yeah, guess what people? We actually won’t be able to go into the student center until spring 2009. Oh yeah….doesn’t that just make you want to punch someone…preferably whoever managed the bids for the student center. Turns out that interior work can’t be done until the building is complete, makes sense, but still sucks that we are going to have to wait longer than ever for a student center. That’s another what, at least half a semester for all the painting, carpeting and whatever else they’ll be doing to get finished before we FINALLY can go in. I swear, this whole thing has to be the biggest screw up in USD history. If it isn’t then it sure does feel like it. Excuse me while I go finish my applications to a school where they do more than pretend to care about the students.

- Lauren Hollister

No Suprises.

KELSEY COLLIER-WISE - OMG, guys, did you see President Bush’s 2009 budget? He eliminated all federal funding to the Lewis & Clark Rural Water System. I’m totally astounded! Except I’m not. I mean, come on. Is anyone actually surprised by any crap the Bush administration pulls these days?

The system’s executive director was “flabbergasted” at the “stunning” announcement. Seriously? There’s nothing ‘flabbergasting’ about Bush cutting domestic programs to shreds while continuing to dump millions of dollars every hour into his overseas adventures. That’s been the way he rolls since just about day one.

And yet, this douche maintains around a 30% approval rating. Who are you people? Can I be friends with you? I’d love to have as many chances to mess up as you’ve decided to give this administration. Call me. We can make some plans that I won’t show up for and I can make some promises I don’t plan on keeping. It’ll be a riot.