FALL FESTIVAL P.2 SPOOKY SPECTRAL STALKER SHOCKS SEATTLE P.4 SMOKING PORNOGRAPHY P.6 Eastern Mennonite University's student newspaper since 1939 Sen. Barack Obama Rallies Harrisonburg Community Benaiah Wade, Co-editor but also marks the first time a ing, “You don’t have to boo, just democratic presidential candidate vote,” to a resounding round of What do 8,000 people turned has come to speak in Harrison­applause. Sen. Obama also com­ away from the JMU convocationburg since the Stephen Douglas mented on how President Bush’s center on Tuesday have in com­who ran against Abraham Lincoln economic advisor said that the mon besides how intensely cold 148 years ago. President’s economic policies did and tired from waiting in line they Before Sen. Obama’s approx­ not work and Sen. Obama also were? They all came to see Sena­ imately half-hour long speech, made a joke about Sen. McCain’s tor Barack Obama speak but ar­ senatorial candidate Mark Warner “Joe the plumber” argument. rived to lines of eager people whoand Virginia Governor Tim Kaine The audience was comprised had already staked their claims in gave introductions to tantalize theof various groups of people unit­ line. Some members in the front listening ears of the crowd. They ed under support for Sen. Obama. of the line had camped out overannounced their support for Sen.Although the age of the average night in tents to try and warm Obama to applause and intro­ supporter was hard to determine themselves from the frigid cold. duced him to the stage. in a crowd that packed the entire Many EMU students flocked Sen. Obama’s speech could convocation center, it is fair to to hear Obama speak. First year barely go two minutes withoutsay that age groups ranging from Trenea Wilson said she “liked loud cheering from his support­the elderly to children attended. when he talked about hope be­ ers, who laughed at the senator’s The ethnic diversity of the Har­ cause it really touched her.” remarks about Sen. John McCain risonburg community was also She was also able to shake Sen. and President George W. Bush represented in the crowd. Other Obama’s hand when he was exit­ when it seemed appropriate to do groups in the crowd included ing after he finished his speech. so. One such remark was aboutenvironmental supporters that Senator Obama’s visit to Har­ President Bush’s economic poli­ risonburg did not only draw outcies, a to which the crowd booed. large majority of the communitySen. Obama responded by say­ see Obama, P. 2 Gemeinschaft Marches Against Virginia State Budget Cuts Sarah Fields, News editor ment. Harrisonburg has residents shock when Virginia State cut the of the Gemeinschaft Home vol­funds that they need to function. A few weeks ago, members unteering throughout the com­The approximate cost for each of the Gemeinschaft community munity, becoming congregants at resident’s living is about $20,020. discovered that the State of Vir­ various local churches, and work­This is significantly lower than ginia cut funds, which resulted in ing at full-time jobs. These steps the annual average of $35,000 in a challenge for the Gemeinschaft have provided an opportunity forcosts for incarcerated individuals. Home. The members and direc­ ex-prisoners to make changes in Tim Kaine, Governor of Virginia, tors of the Gemeinschaft Home their lives before entering free so­ received the challenge of finding were given a sixty-day deadline ciety. areas to make cuts for the state for to find new funding, or the Most of the residents of the budget. Budget cuts were made house will be closed. house come from therapeuticto the Department of Corrections, The Gemeinschaft Home be­ communities within the Virginia who in turn made cuts to Ge­ gan in 1986 with the goal of “re­ Department of Corrections. Be­meinschaft and similar programs. turning responsible, law-abiding fore being accepted into the More cuts in different areas are residents to their communities.” house, residents must sign agree­ needed in the future, but have not The individuals who reside in the ments of conduct. The housebeen decided on at this point. home become great members of also makes thorough background On Wed., Oct. 29, Gemein­ the Harrisonburg community, and checks. Once they are residents of schaft encouraged members of they live in the house as a transi­ the Gemeinschaft Home, the men the community to participate in a tion home between prison life and work together to keep the housewalk that recognized the possible free society. looking nice inside and out. Theyclosing of Gemeinschaft. Partici­ During the 180-day program, build strong relationships with pants in the walk did not neces­ ex-prisoners live together in the each other through small-group sarily hope for a change in the community house. The programssessions and living together in the choice of funding-cuts, but they David Hawkins range from different areas of coun­Gemeinschaft community. Harrisonburg’s 20 year old Gemeinschaft House threatens to seling to job and finance manage- Gemeinschaft received a see Gemeinschaft, P. 2 close after the state of Virginia cuts funds to meet their budget. Every Three Scavenger Hunt- News Briefs Election Day- Children Concert- Metamorphoses- Participate in a city- Mission Impossible- Common Grounds will Martin Chapel is Opening night for wide scavanger hunt On Sat., Nov. 1 at be showing the Presi­ holding a concert EMU’s first play of with a first prize of 10:30 p.m., meet in dential election on the that tributes African the season is Nov. 6 $60. The hunt begins the Woods Quad with big screen starting at 5 AIDS victim children at 7:30 p.m. on the at 3 p.m. on Sat., your team and get p.m. on Tues., Nov. 4. and five Amish girls. Mainstage Theatre. Nov. 8. Meet at the ready to complete They will also color in The event takes place Purchase a ticket for front entrance of your mission! Pizza a large map as results Thurs., Nov. 6 at only $4. the University will be provided. come in. 7:30 p.m. Commons. 2 O ctober 30, 2008 N ews T he W eather V ane Campus Celebrate Fall with Fest of Activities Obama, Rochelle Fisher, Staff writer Parkwoods cabin for a pumpkin- from p.1 carving contest, doughnut on a As the summer’s night fades string, and a pumpkin pie-eating cheered for Sen. Obama’s green away and the winter’s cold days contest. There was also a camp­ policies by waving green bandan­ loom in sight, EMU celebrated fire for anyone who wanted to as they brought to the rally when­ the fall season with a weekend of tell ghost stories while enjoying ever he spoke about them. activities for students. The cel­ s’mores and other fall food favor­ The main focus of Sen. ebration activities began Friday ites. Obama’s speech was his econom­ night with the CAC sponsored Students braved the cool au­ ic policies and tax plans that he Bam Dance. Students dressed up tumn night and headed out past hopes will vitalize the American and danced to traditional countryParkwoods Saturday night for economy. During his speech he music. a night of fun, food and games. asked the crowd if they made un­ First year Brandon Habron First year Heather Kennel said, der a quarter of a million dollars said, “I thought it was fantastic! “Fall fest was a good idea for a year and had them raise their The clothes people wore lookedthe campus and community. It hands. He said that those who had really authentic and helped set helped bring us together to enjoy their hands raised would receive a the atmosphere. The caller was seasonal festivities. The camp tax break and made a joke about amazing and the band was very fire, the pumpkin- carving, the pie that being the majority. talented. CAC did a really great eating contest made it really fun Another important emphasis job. I would go again in a heart­ and I think a good time was had of Sen. Obama’s speech was to beat.” First year Joel Rittenhouse by all.” get people to vote. He wanted to agreed, “Even though I didn’t The pumpkin-carving contest inspire people to be active in the David Hawkins pursuit of this goal and to try and dance, I enjoyed watching people inspired some students to carveJuniors Sarah Roth and Ben Shank participate in the fall CAC barn dance. make fools > of themselves anddesigns like a cat, smiling faces motivate others to vote as well. I drank about 10 cups of ciderand some a little too interesting all quickly stuffed pie into their shoving pumpkin pie into their He also spoke about the war, edu­ which was fun.” to mention. As some studentsmouths while glancing over to face.” The night continued with cation, struggles in his campaign Fall fest was held Saturday carved their pumpkins and oth­ see if they had any chance of win­ snacks and time spent by the early on, and his faith in the Amer­ night at 10 p.m. following the ers ate snacks, the pumpkin-pie ning. Several contestants lookedcampfire. ican people. To sum up his speech hayrides and men’s soccer game. eating contest was getting ready as if they might not keep the pie First year Anna Woelk said, in one of his quotes, Sen. Obama The rain on Saturday made the to take place. The rest of the stu­ down. After the minute passed, “It was nice to feel like you weresaid “I ask of you what has been hayride’s scheduled stop at the dents gathered around the table sophomore Braydon Hoover offwas campus and in the woods evenasked of Americans throughout com maze impossible, but stu­watching the contestants prepare declared the winner.