Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Rose-Hulman Scholar

The Rose Thorn Archive Student Newspaper

Winter 12-16-2010

Volume 46 - Issue 11 - Thursday, December 16, 2010

Rose Thorn Staff Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, [email protected]

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Recommended Citation Rose Thorn Staff, "Volume 46 - Issue 11 - Thursday, December 16, 2010" (2010). The Rose Thorn Archive. 86. https://scholar.rose-hulman.edu/rosethorn/86

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Rose-HRulman Institute ofose Technology • Terre Haute, IN • http ://tThorn.rose-hulmanho.edu • Thursday, December 16,r 2010 • Volumen 46 • Issue 11 Engineering for charity

Above, a group of Rose-Hulman students assemble a bicycle Saturday as part of the Bikes for Tykes charity program; below, students unload bikes to be built. This year, hundreds of students gathered to build bicycles for needy children throughout Indiana, marking the eleventh year the program has existed at Rose-Hulman. Tim Ekl • editor-in-chief Tim Ekl • editor in chief with larger models intended for older chil- dren. Bicycles are checked on the spot after Rose-Hulman students put their engineer- being built, then distributed directly to chari- ing skills to good use by helping to assem- ties that have made requests. ble bicycles Saturday as part of the Bikes for Saturday’s large-scale operation looked Tykes charity program. quite different than Bikes for Tykes first did Hundreds of students gathered at Facili- back in 2000. The first year Rose-Hulman ties to put together bikes to be distributed participated, the build took place on an Air to needy children throughout Indiana. The Guard base at a local airport; the event didn’t Bikes for Tykes program first came to Rose- move on-campus until its fourth year. Ear- Hulman in 2000, and has grown steadily ever lier events also saw far less involvement – in since. 2000, only about 50 students showed up to The process of building a bike is made as ef- assemble approximately 250 bicycles. ficient as possible – students are broken down Bikes for Tykes is sponsored by the Terre into small teams, then given a box of parts for Haute Exchange Club. Exchange is a national one specific model of bicycle. A team can gen- volunteer organization with over 800 chap- erally assemble one bike every ten minutes. ters nationwide. The Terre Haute chapter The bicycles themselves are designed to focuses on helping the disadvantaged and meet any need – some teams built smaller bi- improving communities in the Wabash Valley cycles with training wheels, while others dealt area.

Inside this issue

Fable III: fun, but overhyped Get advice on how to keep Was the recent Republican Rose-Hulman We’ve got the yourself busy over break blocking action on 9/11 ben- basketball suf- scoop that while making the most of efits good politics, or just fers a tough Public your time greedy? week for both Safe- teams ty Learn about the balance be- Money and gifts are on eve- tween having fun and being ryone’s mind - take a look at stupid property rights during the won’t tell holidays you

Page 4: Entertainment Page 5: Living Page 6: Opinions Page 7: Sports Page 8: Flipside 2 Puzzles Issue 11

Acrostic printable-puzzles.com Quote by: William James Puzzle #I695XT 1 H 2 E 3 B 4 D 5 D 6 A 7 F 8 I 9 C 10 C 11 I 12 H 13 H 14 D 15 E 16 C 17 H 18 G

19 C 20 D 21 A 22 H 23 C 24 D 25 F 26 C 27 A 28 I 29 C 30 D 31 B 32 A 33 G 34 I 35 D 36 B 37 H

38 A 39 A 40 E 41 A 42 G 43 B 44 A 45 A 46 H 47 H 48 G 49 B 50 F 51 D 52 H 53 F 54 H 55 E

56 D 57 E 58 F 59 C 60 F 61 H 62 F 63 G 64 D 65 A 66 I 67 D 68 I 69 H

A F 38 44 32 41 39 21 65 45 6 27 58 53 62 60 50 25 7 Loss of sensation Countries

B G 36 43 49 3 31 48 63 18 33 42 One who accepts an offer Early musical group formed by Eric Clapton

C H 23 19 16 10 59 26 9 29 69 47 54 1 37 52 22 46 12 13 17 61 Amount that can be held in one's mouth Quality of being steady in allegiance

D I 14 56 24 30 51 20 67 64 4 5 35 68 28 66 8 11 34 Drove Western European capital

E 2 15 57 55 40 Poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere

The Rose Thorn “Working to keep the Rose-Hulman community informed by providing an accurate and dependable source for news and information.”

Tim Ekl • editor-in-chief Eli Baca • writer CM 5037, 5500 Wabash Ave. Alex Mullans • editor-in-chief Mitchell Ishmael • writer Terre Haute, IN 47803-3999 Scott Gallmeier • news Matt Melton • writer Phone:(812) 877-8255 Colin DeClue • entertainment Bennie Waters • writer Fax: (812) 877-8166 Melissa Schwenk • living Hobey Tam • writer [email protected] Carly Baehr • opinions Kurtis Zimmerman • writer http://thorn.rose-hulman.edu Andrew Klusman • sports Noël Spurgeon • flipside Emily Asman • copy Luke Woolley • photo

Andrew Klusman • business Rose Brewer • puzzles Kurtis Zimmerman • web Matt Vargo • photographer Richard House • adviser Carly Baehr • cartoonist The Rose Thorn is a weekly publication pro- toons, and letters to the editor for publication. accept content changes submitted after deadline. Material submitted for use in the print edi- duced by the members of the community of All submissions must contain the writer’s signa- tion may also be included in the online edi- Rose-Hulman Institute of TechnologyCopyright pub ©- PuzzleWe request Baron that Decemberall letters to the15, editor 2010 be - lessGo toture www.Printable-Puzzles.com (electronic form is acceptable) and for contact Hints andtion Solutions!located at http://thorn.rose-hulman.edu. lished on Fridays first through ninth week than 600 words in length, and the deadline for information. The editors reserve the right to re- each quarter. All students, faculty, and staff content submission is 5:00 p.m. two days prior to ject submissions deemed inappropriate for print. The views expressed in The Rose Thorn are those are welcome to attend weekly meetings, held publication. The editors reserve the right to edit of their respective authors and, with the exception at 5:15pm on Wednesdays in Olin Hall. We submissions for clarity, grammar, length, and fac- All content should be submitted to thorn@ of the weekly Staff View published in the Opin- also welcome and encourage all community tual errors, while preserving the original intent of rose-hulman.edu or to the office of The Rose ions section, do not necessarily represent the views members to submit articles, photographs, car- the submission. The editors reserve the right to Thorn in Hulman Memorial Union room 249. of the staff or the Rose-Hulman community. 16 Dec 2010 News 3 Santa visits underprivileged youth News through Lambda Chi Alpha Briefs Alex Mullans • editor-in-chief party, complete with gifts deliv- none of the current fraternity to run the programs they have By Alex Mullans ered directly by Santa. In addi- brothers can remember a year established but they are lack- Fraternities at Rose-Hulman tion, the brothers provide lunch where the party wasn’t held. ing funding. If we were to raise are different; that’s what they for all the partygoers and spend “We feel as a chapter that help- money for Ryves Hall instead of Gawker suffers say in admissions, and events time helping the kids construct ing these kids have a good Christ- providing a Christmas party we data breach like Lambda Chi Alpha’s Holiday their gifts. mas instead of helping another would not see the direct benefit The company, which owns Party for Ryves Hall Youths put This year, 30 brothers and ten charity proves us with direct our service provides.” popular technology blogs like actions behind those words. The associate members, along with a contact with the service we are The Ryves Hall Center is part of Gizmodo and Lifehacker as event, which Rose’s own Theta number of women from the Tri- providing,” said Dale Pedzinski, the Catholic charities overseen by well as social blog Gawker, Kappa chapter puts on each year, Delta sorority, helped make the event organizer. the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. lost the email accounts and brings 30 underprivileged youth party a great success. “For example, in other chari- Located at the corner of 14th and passwords of more than 1.3 from the Ryves Youth Center to This event is nothing new to ties, they prefer money because Locust Streets in Terre Haute, the million users to hackers who the chapter house for a holiday Lambda Chi brothers; in fact, they have enough volunteers center serves at-risk youth. compromised the company’s servers over the weekend. Users of Gawker services were emailed Monday and informed of the problem. Pri- vacy advocates have used the breach, which was accompa- nied by similar losses by Mc- Donalds, Walgreens, and De- viantART, to call for stronger US government punishment for companies that compro- mise user data. Nick Den- ton, founder of Gawker Me- dia, said in the comments of Gawker that “I do want to tell you how sorry we are.” Berlusconi sur- vives no-confi- dence vote The Italian Parliament recon- firmed its confidence in Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi by its slimmest margin ever, with a vote of no-confidence losing 311-314. The vote caused riots in the streets Above, a group of Lambda Chi Alpha members deliver LEGO toys to a child from the Ryves Youth Center; below, a child shows off of Rome, with protestors setting his new toy. Lambda Chis host children every year for a Christmas party, where they provide toys, a meal, and a visit from Santa. cars alight and smashing store Alex Mullans • editor-in-chief windows. In addition, fighting broke out in the Parliament when a representative expected to vote for the measure suddenly switched to favor keeping the Prime Min- ister. Berlusconi was accused of vote-buying in the past week as his supporters led frantic nego- tiation; Italian authorities have begun investigating the charges. The current government’s term is supposed to extend until 2013, but some analysts speculate that more challenges may come in time. Internet usage ri- vals TV viewing for first time A new Forrester study of more than 30,00 consumers found that for the first time, Americans spend as many hours on the Internet as they do watching television. Inter- Open mic night attracts local talent net usage has increased 121% in the past five years, while Ranjana Chandramouli Night’. Meant to provide a laid- companiment from some of the the Rose community to enjoy television viewership has re- guest writer back and casual atmosphere for Rose-Hulman student body, the music and artistic creations mained roughly the same. The Rose-Hulman students to come such as Mitchell Mayberry, a of our fellow students. study also found that 60% of While the Logan Library is a relax and express their artis- freshman mechanical engi- James Bratsos, a freshman online users surveyed get on- usually filled with students talk- tic talents, Brittany Young, a neering student, who sang an civil engineering major, sang line to shop. Around one-third ing and rustling papers into the senior biomedical engineering original song as well as a cover two of his original songs, in- of users regularly visited social late hours of the night, this past student who was instrumental of Bryan Adam’s song “Straight cluding “Song of the Summer,” networking sites, and two- Friday, December 10th, was a in setting up the event, wanted from the Heart.” which he wrote himself over thirds of Generation Y individ- change of pace. to provide “people a chance to This event was complete with this past summer break, which uals surveyed reported updat- WMHD, the radio station on come out and warm up for the coffee and cookies provided by combined percussion, guitar ing a social networking profile campus, transformed the first winter.” Aramark, a nice complement and vocals. He finished with at least once a month. With floor of the Logan Library into While also set-up for a host of to the cold weather. Young says another original song, an Ode respect to Internet access, the a coffee-house style atmos- different genres of karaoke and she would “love to do more of to Isaac Newton — which, fit- survey speculated that 82% of phere from 7:00 until 9:00 on poetry readings, the night be- these events for the campus” in tingly, is the only song he has households will be connected Friday night for an ‘Open Mic gan with singing and guitar ac- the future to bring out more of written since coming to Rose. by 2015. 4 Entertainment Issue 11 “Too Much Happiness” delivers gruesome tales Kurtis Zimmerman • webmaster when she reveals her coping didn’t expect it – death. A story stories that I really enjoyed Murder, burglary, seduction. mechanism that actually serves rich in cultural and historical had some sort of ending, or What more could you want as the resolution to her life’s imagery, the last story turned a revelation that ties the rest from a set of short stories? Al- problems. out to be my favorite. of the story together. My two ice Munro, internationally rec- The book’s most impressive But I must admit, I think favorites, “Wood” and “Child’s ognized for her talents in the story is perhaps so engaging part of the reason for liking the Play,” ended with the main short story genre, is still crank- because it is mainly a work of last story so much was that it character’s realization. In ing out fiction with her latest nonfiction. Following the last signaled the end of the collec- “Wood,” Roy (the only male release entitled Too Much Hap- few years of the life of Sophia tion. Perhaps I was deceived character who was the true lead piness. Presenting a collection Kovalevsky, regarded as one of by the title, Too Much Hap- of a story) comes to terms with of ten stories centering around Russia’s most famous women piness, into thinking that the his wife’s condition near the the lives of ten different people, mathematicians and novelists, stories would be rich in life’s end of the story and realizes mainly women, Munro deliv- the story for which the novel pleasures and resolved conflict, that questioning it will never http://www.bookapex.com ers ten tales, each gruesome in is named, “Too Much Happi- but the truth is that most of the change it. And in “Child’s their own right. ness,” tries to tie up the themes stories lacked a resolution at Play,” two childhood friends toward some ending point Like most full-length novels, presented in the fictional sto- all. It seemed that a lot of the are separated physically but while revealing earlier details. the stories mostly hinge on un- ries. Kovalevsky, famous as the stories ended unnaturally and never emotionally distant from But I find myself wanting a expected conflicts that tend to first woman appointed to pro- left me wondering what hap- an incident from their youth resolution, some reassurance be the turning point of each fessorship in Northern Europe, pened next, and not in the clas- that seems to scar them both. about the character’s future. main character’s life. In “Di- studied under Karl Weierstrass sic cliffhanger sense. Instead But while I enjoyed a few of For lovers of short stories, this mensions,” the opening story, and is still famous today for it seemed like Munro penned these stories, I found myself a book certainly hits the mark Doree must deal each day with her expansion of Augustin several tales with no beginning bit put off by the style of writ- stylistically, but for me many of the loss of her three young chil- Cauchy’s theorem on partial or end, more like a snapshot ing Munro employs which, the tales leave much to be de- dren and how she may move on differential equations. But the of a life. And for some readers after looking into the style of sired. past the pain of losing the life story focuses less on her life’s more familiar with the short short stories, is usually how the she once had. Nita faces a sim- work than on the story of her story genre, this may be de- genre works. Starting from the Review rating: 2.5 elephants ilar conflict in “Free Radicals,” last few years of life up until sired. middle and working outward, but the real surprise comes her unexpected – at least, she But I found that the three in a sense, the stories progress “Fable 3” is fun, with a bit of tedium mixed in Bennie Waters • staff writer set the standard for which all your brother, the tyrant heir to itself in such a way that will features of the gameplay, and Game developer Peter Moly- RPG’s are compared.” So far your father’s throne. As your make you think the game is only has changed little since the last neux has made a reputation for each game in the series has been legion grows, you gain access halfway over, which would have game. Each of the types of at- himself by making grandiose incredibly over-hyped, lead- to stronger abilities and more been amazing if that were the tacks (melee, ranged, or magic) promises about what his games ing to decent games that would freedoms in the kingdom, such case. Unfortunately though, you is bound to a button, and you are going to contain. He is in- probably be better-received if as the ability to buy businesses only get a couple hours of com- just mash them in whatever famous for overpromising and their quality had not been built and real estate. While it was cool pletely-linear gameplay as king order you desire to get through under-delivering with each of up so much by marketing. Fable that you can unlock new abili- before you are forced into the fights. This gets old and repeti- his most recent games. This is 3 falls in this category. ties in this way, it often ended game’s final confrontation. tive, because even as you level especially true of his Fable se- The story of Fable 3 is a con- up feeling restricting, because Despite the flaws caused by up and your attacks get strong- ries of RPGs. He has even gone tinuation of the previous re- you can only level up so much the game’s story, Fable 3 isn’t er, you still end up doing the so far as to say that “Fable will lease. You play as the son of the before you have to advance the a bad game by any stretch of same thing in every fight. previous game’s story to unlock more possible the imagination. The game’s So is Fable 3 worth getting? protagonist, who abilities. If you want to spend a setting, the fictional land of Yes, but wait until the price goes became king at lot of time doing side-quests, or, Albion, has a hilariously Brit- down. I happened to get it in a the end of Fable in my case, being a real estate ish sense of humor, filled with Black Friday sale for half price. 2, and died some- mogul, your progress gets fre- hilariously British characters If I hadn’t, I’d probably be more time in-between quently halted. and not-too-subtle cultural ref- disappointed with how short games. You, the Along those same lines, the erences. It’s easy to get swept this game is. In any case though, prince, spend the story has an awkward pacing away by simply interacting with I recommend ignoring the hype bulk of the game to it. Throughout the game, it the people of Albion. Similarly, and giving it a chance, if you gathering sup- is built up that once you defeat the steampunk-inspired design don’t mind a little tedium mixed porters and try- your brother, you will become of the world is charmingly gor- in with your fun. ing to build an king and assumingly win the geous. Review rating: 3 elephants army for a revo- game. However, once you get The combat in Fable 3, like http://www.gamerant.com lution against to that point, the story presents in any RPG, is one of the core

Kayte Johnston • monkey writer passionately layered vocals Movies: bare the musical talent unex- Ryan Adams Since the 2009 release of pected from a group of young their debut, “Sigh No More,” twenty-somethings. It does Tron: Legacy III/IV Mumford & Sons has resided not take long for the vast comfortably in the U.K. Al- depth of each song to open up How Do You Know Games: bums Chart for 62 weeks. into massive waves of sound The album entered the chart driven by the intense desper- Yogi Bear Super Mario All- at #11 on October 11, 2009 ation and, at times, guilt and peaking at #3 on October bitterness that have inspired Stars 10, 2010, an entire year after them. Fervor and ambition http://lowlightsvolume.com Music: (Wii) first charting. This some- invite listeners to get swept in gigantic songs capable of what unexpected folk-rock up in the momentum of the shattering expectations and Michael Jackson Sniper Elite group from London has man- musical lines, penetrated by reviving music and emotion Michael (Wii) aged to blend a banjo and the unstoppable rolls of the for numb listeners. English accents in a way that banjo and throbbing rhythm. Suggested Tracks: “Sigh not only sounds natural, but Mumford & Sons is doing for No More,” “The Cave,” “Lit- R. Kelly Under Siege intriguingly like a genre we folk music what Kings of Le- tle Lion Man,” “White Blank Love Letter (PS3) have all naively been miss- on’s Only By the Night did for Page,” “Timshel” Review rating: 5 elephants ing. Perfectly balanced ar- rock: exposing instrumental Ciara Quake Arena Arcade rangements of smooth banjo mastery, brilliant songwrit- drones, fluid strings, and ing, and pure, raw power Basic Instinct (Xbox Live Arcade) 16 Dec 2010 Living 5 Come pick me Putting break to good use Kurtis Zimmerman • webmaster all your friends. A sledding adventure, a shopping trip to pick up last-minute gifts, up, I’ve landed ‘Tis the season to be jolly, for Winter or a night at the movies. All are great ways Break is swiftly approaching! Whatever to avoid responsibility and just enjoy your your religious beliefs and holiday plans, time over break. Mitchell Ishmael long periods of inactivity and everyone here at Rose can appreciate the I know you have some homework to staff writer the helpless feeling, I’ve come two-week hiatus at least as a rest from complete, probably a couple chapters to to peace with it. The injuries academic life and deadlines, for the most read from some academic text or required I’ve been beating myself up came through soccer, and I part. Surely most of us will have an as- reading. So make sure to get that done a lot lately. I can’t decide if had soccer to work back to- signment or two to knock out before re- before you come back, though truly that what I did was just innocent wards. And both times I be- turning to class in January, but spending Sunday night before classes start again is fun that resulted in an ac- lieved the injuries were freak your last few days on campus wisely can a great buffer for knocking out last minute cident or if I was just being accidents and I wouldn’t have allow you to truly put any break to good tasks. But while you’re at home and have dumb or careless. A little over to worry about them again. use. some freedom to spend your free time (an a week ago, after the four inch But with my meniscus rear- So you have a couple professors that de- idea many of us are not too used to) how snowfall we had, I went sled- ing its ugly head, I just don’t cided that your stocking was best stuffed you’d like. Pick up a couple books to read ding with a few friends out know if I’ll have the resolve to with reading assignments or proofs? Per- for pleasure, or pick up the old paintbrush on the hill in front of Rose. be able to go through with it haps some of your assignments due after again. Whatever your choice of hobby, re- There were some pretty awe- all over again. break may be too lengthy or require some lax and unwind with your favorite activ- some ramps, a few made from After the consequences of careful thought to complete, but if you ity. packed piles of snow but one my sledding fall, I’ve been have a few small tasks you can cross off I’ve stressed avoiding responsibility a really sweet one made from a kicking myself over and over your list before leaving Terre Haute you’ll lot so far, but the truth is that taking a lit- white plastic table stuck into thinking, “Why was I dumb make your break work load even lighter. tle bit of time here and there throughout the side of the hill. enough to go sledding and Whether you plan to jet out of town in the break to organize your life a little bit can My friends and I took turns jumping off ramps when I next couple days or later this weekend, be both relaxing now and later. Over the going down the hills and know I have an injury prone spending your last few nights on campus past few weeks I’ve been pretty bad about ramps on our sleds, and like knee?” The “what ifs” keep being productive allows you to spend more keeping my notes and assignments organ- any group of self-respecting popping up in my mind, and time over break avoiding Rose-related re- ized in such a way that I can use them ef- young men, our daring in- I wonder why I wasn’t just a sponsibilities. fectively in the future, so I plan to take a creased as time went on. Go- little bit smarter about what I Now that you have freed up some space couple hours here and there over break to ing faster down the hills, was doing and the risk I was on your calendar for the next couple make sure I’m ready to go when I come jumping higher of the ramps, taking. Months of activity lost weeks, make sure you put it to good use! back in January. Also, if you’re anything doing the hills with more peo- all for a silly jump! You’ll most likely have some family plans like me, you’re constantly searching for ple on more sleds at one time. When I think about it more, for the holidays and may even spend some people who would love to pay your college Eventually I went off the table though, I can’t help but feel time traveling for family functions, but tuition, so that two-week period is also a ramp carrying as much speed that, sometimes, it just hap- here are some ideas for that leftover time good time for browsing the internet for as I could muster, with the in- pens. I get so much joy out of that you have to spend however you’d scholarship ideas and applications. tention of landing the jump. doing physical activity that like. Lastly, be sure to get plenty of sleep! About halfway through my I’m not going to cut it out from First of all, be sure to make the rounds Though we all know we should, a lot of us jump I did the worst thing you my life just because my knee back home and reconnect with anyone you simply fail to sleep adequately during the can do in any type of physical is prone to injury. The enjoy- aren’t able to see too often anymore. Mak- academic year, but break is – for the most activity: I hesitated. I couldn’t ment I get out of being active ing plans with old friends is a great way part – a stress-free time to sit back and tell if I was going to land or if I is worth the risk; no matter to relax and enjoy your time, and though relax. And as all the upperclassmen will needed to bail. So rather than what I do, there is a chance I’ll quarter break wasn’t too long ago, with confirm, you’ll need that extra sleep to taking either option I half get hurt, but that chance isn’t the holiday weekend you may not have power through the rest of winter quarter bailed and landed back onto worth a life of reservation. had a lot of extra time to get together with when you return. my shins, bending my knees With that being said, I real- way farther than they should ize that being smart with your have been bent. activities and preserving your My right knee has had prob- body and health is very impor- Write to the Living page about what lems since freshman year. tant to a fulfilling life. I guess Since then I’ve torn my menis- what I’m getting at is I’m try- you did over the break cus twice, had surgery twice, ing to maintain the balance ! gone through therapy in the between having fun and be- training room twice, and sat ing stupid, and I haven’t been [email protected] out a year of soccer. Though able to decide if sled jumping it all sucked, especially the crosses that line. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! A-Z List: What to do over break!

Andrew Klusman • business manager tion for them. to the editor. T – Toast – Either the speech or H – Healthy – Be it! You only get N – Nostalgia – For when you’re the bread, toast someone you care A – Alcohol – How better to ring one body, so make sure it’s well- looking back on years gone by. Or, for, enjoy, or love this year. in the New Year, Jesus’s birth, and kept. You take care of your laptop, when you’re cleaning your closet at U – Underwear – Wear it. Baby, the break from classes? Do it re- don’t you? So, take care of your home. Or watching timeless Christ- it’s cold outside. sponsibly, though! body! mas classics. V – Vacation – You’re going to B – Book – Catch up on some I – Ice – Is dangerous on the O – Open presents. Who doesn’t be on it. Enjoy it, because you’ll reading that you’ve been neglecting roads, but good in your glass. love getting stuff for God’s Child be back in the Haute for 8 straight (non-schoolwork!) over the break. J – Jazz – Makes for good back- being born? Yay religion! (Note: weeks. Yeah. Good time to read some classics or ground music when throwing your If non-Christian, go buy stuff after W – Write a letter to the editor for something new! wild and crazy parties. Christmas, it’s all cheaper! Yay!) the Rose Thorn. There’s going to C – Caroling – You’re never too old K – Kleenex – You’ll probably P – Presents – Give a gift to some- be something you’ll be upset about to go out, freeze your butt off, and need some if you’re going north. one you care for, or someone less over break, so vent with a keyboard. bring Christmas cheer to folks. L – Laugh – If you can’t laugh fortunate. This is pretty obvious, Just don’t use all caps. D – Drive – Do it safely, please. during the holiday season, you have unless your last name is Scrooge. X – Xylophone – Play it with your No one wants to come back being a problem. If you can, be merry! Q – Quest – Now is the time to younger family members, siblings sad. That’s our professors’ jobs. M – Muppets – Watch The Mup- game game game. or cousins. No one will judge. E – Eat – Eat a lot. Tasty Christ- pets Christmas Carol. You literally R - Resolve – Resolve to make Y – Yacht – Buy me one. You can mas cookies, warm food, yum. have no soul if you do not love this 2011 better than 2010. Why not? knock out P and Y in one! And, if F – Feud – Don’t do it. End them movie. Seriously. It’s got songs, Mi- You’re only getting closer to death! you’re really giving, A as well. for the new year. chael Caine, and Gonzo and Rizzo as Hahaha. Z – Zeal – Have it for some- G – Girlfriend/boyfriend/signifi- the narrators. Go ahead, watch it. S – Sleep – We all go to Rose. We thing this year. Go ahead, and pick cant other – Show your apprecia- You’ll love it. If not, write a letter know why. anew. 6 Opinions Issue 11 Staff view: Lame duck ses- Public opinion sion has lived needs to be con- up to its name sidered in military Carly Baehr • opinions editor publicans would have voted against anyway—Republicans delayed debate The “lame duck” session of Congress, on START (Strategic Arms Reductions operations the time between the November elec- Treaty), which would limit the number It’s not often you see people tions and the swearing-in of new Con- of nuclear weapons in both the U.S. and mourn the death of a drug kingpin. Concurring: 7 gress members in January, is often a Russia. Some lawmakers warn that not But that’s exactly what happened time for the former majority party to passing the treaty soon could discour- a few days ago in Michoacan, Dissenting: 2 push through as much legislation as age the Russians from passing their Mexico, after cartel head Nazario possible before they become the minor- side of the treaty. Yet even after the Moreno González was killed in a Abstentions: 3 ity. At the very least, at least one or two passage of Obama’s compromise pro- shootout with authorities. on a military operation. It’s a short things is generally accomplished dur- posal, some senators are threatening González’s death came about as a step from marching in support of a ing such sessions. to further delay debate on the treaty by part of Mexican authorities’ crack- drug kingpin to hindering authori- Republican Senators in the 111th Con- reading it aloud—a process that would down on drug trafficking, and was ties going after that same leader, gress, however, have been doing their take 12 hours. hailed in official circles as a victory and any plans against the cartel best to ensure that nothing whatsoever Worst of all, though, is the refusal by in the war on the cartels. But the will need to take the level of public is passed before the end of the year. Republicans to vote on a measure that key mistake authorities made was support into account. Citing the importance of extending the would grant health care benefits to 9/11 to ignore public sentiment when The lesson isn’t specific to Mex- Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy, Re- first responders, many of whom are going after González. ico, either. American operations publicans refused a vote on any oth- sick and dying after being exposed to In local neighborhoods, González call this sort of feeling “conditions er legislation until the tax cuts have the dust in the air while trying to rescue —who imparted a religious tint to on the ground,” and decisions on passed. The White House this week people from the wreckage of the World his cartel’s operations, going so far the Iraq and Afghanistan wars negotiated a deal in which the tax cuts Trade Center collapse. Is extending tax as to write his own book of evan- have been famously dependent were extended and the estate tax rate cuts to the wealthy really more impor- gelical sayings—enjoyed a large on Washington’s interpretation of was lowered in exchange for the exten- tant than extending health care to the amount of support from local fam- those conditions. Especially in an sion of unemployment benefits and a heroes of the 9/11 attacks? A consider- ilies and companies. He made it environment where the military 2% cut in payroll taxes. The compro- able majority of senators support the his cartel’s business to give loans presence doesn’t enjoy large-scale mise passed the Senate and is awaiting bill, so why couldn’t Republicans just to struggling farmers, and handed popular support, it becomes in- passage in the House, but Republicans let it pass? out Bibles to children in poorer ar- credibly important to pay atten- still aren’t happy, threatening that if It seems that the GOP is still fully eas. tion to public opinion and poten- the House makes any changes to the bill committed to being the “Party of No.” So when González was killed and tial issues that can arise. they’ll continue to hold their collective Despite a clear majority in the Senate, the local government tried to or- This isn’t to say that Mexican au- breath until they get what they want. Democrats have accomplished very lit- ganize a “peace march,” civilians thorities should stop prosecuting Refusing to discuss anything else in tle during their time as the majority brought signs and chanted slogans drug traffickers, or that America the Senate until the tax cuts were ex- party largely because Republicans have in support of the slain leader and should give up in Afghanistan, if tended sent the clear message that the been trying so hard to keep anything his cartel. One sign even went so public opinion is against them—far tax cuts were the most important thing from happening in the government, far as to say “Long live La Familia from it. A lot of historically “good” that Congress could be voting on right preferring to demonize Democrats and Michoacana”—not the best out- decisions were unpopular at the now. So what exactly was so much fur- derail all legislation unless they got come for a government hoping to time. The trick is to find people ther down the list of priorities that everything they wanted, despite con- rally people against drug-traffick- who are able to handle these kinds keeping a 4% marginal tax decrease stant attempts at bipartisanship and ing organizations. of campaigns and the negative had to come first? compromise from across the aisle. Let’s The lesson to be taken away from public reaction at the same time, Besides the extension of unemploy- hope that for the 112th Congress, tax the killing is simple: never ignore and put them in places where they ment benefits and the potential repeal cuts for the wealthy are not the only the influence the public can have can make a difference. of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell—which Re- thing that can be discussed. Give out of charity, not out of obligation

Brandon Shavers • guest writer ent, meaning neither you nor I could ever have because you, the decider, has willingly conceded a right to something we don’t already have un- to another something to which you alone have a Just about this time of the year, charity, good- less we have made an equally valuable payment negative right. If the one who received help had will, and whether or not to extend the Bush tax for it with something we do rightfully own, or the a positive right to it, your actions would not have cuts are on everyone’s minds. So cheerily, I’d like rightful owner willingly confers ownership of his been good or praiseworthy, but rather, heartless to take this opportunity to talk to you about prop- property. I basically just described an exchange duty. If need created a positive right and if posi- erty rights. Though the issue has recently come of negative rights or willful concession thereof, so tive rights were allowed to govern situations, it up in one of my classes, it was a heavily stimu- I’m just going to go out on a limb and say that would be perfectly acceptable for a homeless per- lating debate with another student that motivated positive rights don’t exist. Santa does it ‘cause he son to steal your wallet; there’d be nothing wrong me to write this. The discussion centered on the wants to. with someone sedating you and surgically remov- question, in short: if one person has plenty of food That said, my opinion on the proposed question ing an organ needed for transplant. such that he will not miss it if some goes missing, might be obvious to you. I would say, no, the third It is perfectly obvious to any rational human but another is starving and near death, is it within party cannot take from one in order to give to an- being that those situations should not exist. It the right of a third party to take food from the one other, regardless of the circumstances. A chance is not cool for anyone to steal your wallet; it just who has without his consent and give to the one to explain? The only natural or inherent rights are isn’t right to wake up in a bathtub full of ice with who has not? negative: the right to your life, to your body and surgical stitches in your side. It absolutely does Personally, I believe in a system of rights that to your productive faculties or natural abilities to not that matter how much somebody else needs is based on self-objectivism. That basically means do work. Following, if you provide the sweat of something from you, it’s your rightful property that if I felt like I had been wronged by some- your brow, the toil of your hands and the skill of and only you can decide if they should have it. On one having stolen from me, then it must follow your mind to earn money, it is your money – ex- that logic, perhaps now we can agree that even if that other people have the right to not be stolen clusively—and whatever you buy with it is right- Sally really, really, really needs $5.00, and Jake from by me. But regardless of how I might define fully yours. If you decide that it is right for you has $500, it would still be wrong for Tom to steal rights, it is well understood that there are two dis- to give your money or other rightfully acquired $5.00 from Jake and give it to Sally. On pure utili- tinct varieties: positive rights and negative rights. possessions to someone who needs them more, tarian grounds, it makes sense, but we live in a A positive right would be essentially a claim one then certainly, it is your right to give. If a friend world where rights mean something, both morally has to something that is not already in his or her or loved one needs a kidney transplant and is a and legally. That is why there’s a difference be- possession. A negative right is to something that match to you, it is your right and privilege, and tween duty and benevolence, and between a pay- one already rightfully owns such that it cannot be yours alone, to decide to help. Both acts of giving check and a charitable donation. Feel good about taken away. No positive right can ever be inher- would be considered benevolent and even heroic giving this holiday season—it’s your right! 16 Dec 2010 Sports 7 Lady Engineers fall to Terre Haute team Sports Briefs By Kurtis Zimmerman Kurtis Zimmerman • staff writer Pomeroys in Hulbert Arena to an ex- cited crowd of cheering fans. In what Rose-Hulman’s women’s basket- turned out to be the closest game in the Big Ten unveils ball team picked up two losses this history of the Clabber Girl series, the past week, battling against Transylva- Lady Engineers had two players with new division nia in Kentucky and St. Mary-of-the- points in the double digits. Meadows The Big Ten conference, as of next year, Woods here in Hulbert Arena. Two and Dickerson both put up 15 points, will include 12 teams total, split among close games added two more losses to and senior biomedical engineering the Leaders and Legends divisions. Il- the Lady Engineers’ record. student Donna Marsh had 12 points. linois, Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State, Last weekend the Lady Engineers Sophomore biomedical engineering Purdue, and Wisconsin will make up picked up a loss at Transylvania Uni- major Erin Davey contributed an im- the Leaders, while the Legends category versity in a close game that ended 51 pressive four points and six rebounds, will be comprised of Iowa, Michigan, – 54 in the home team’s favor. Jun- and freshman computer engineering Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, ior mechanical engineering student student Heather Finnell rounded out and Northwestern. The first Big Ten con- Alisa Dickerson and sophomore ap- the effort with three points, five re- ference championship next season will plied biology major Lauren Meadows bounds, and four assists. showcase a matchup of two teams, one each reached double figures, scoring Despite their best efforts – and out- from each division. At the same time, 13 points and 12 points, respectively. scoring the Pomeroys in the second the new official logo of the Big Ten was But a strong defensive effort from half – the Lady Engineers could not unveiled, a block lettering of “Big Ten” the Lady Pioneers held the Engineers bounce back quickly enough to bring with the numerals representing the while putting three players in the dou- home the trophy. On a last-second “10” original members featured in the ble figures. Transylvania improved to steal, St. Mary-of-the-Woods clinched word “Big.” Commissioner Jim Delany 5 – 3 overall and 2 – 2 in HCAC play, the 56 – 54, improving their record in told the press that including the new while Rose-Hulman dropped to 3 – 4 the Clabber Girl series to 13 – 5. The total number of teams was never con- on the game and 2 – 2 in conference Pomeroys improved to 6 – 2 on the sidered, and that retaining the original Sophomore biomedical engineering major Erin matchups. season, but Rose-Hulman fell to 3 – name of the conference was always the Davey blows past a St. Mary’s player on her way This past Tuesday the Engineers 5. The Engineers will take on Marian plan. The last of the additions includes to a shot. battled for the Clabber Girl Trophy, University in Hulbert Arena this Sat- 18 football awards paying homage to Rose-Hulman News facing the St. Mary-of-the-Woods urday. legendary players and coaches, all to be presented starting with the 2011 season. Engineer Scoreboard Heat earn ninth Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball straight win 6 - 1 (3 - 0 HCAC) 3 - 3 (2 - 1 HCAC) The Miami Heat rolled past the New Or- leans Hornets Monday night, clinching Dec 11 Dec 11 their ninth straight win by double digits Transylvania Univ. 66 Transylvania Univ. 54 with a 96 – 84 victory. One win shy of the Rose-Hulman 63 Rose-Hulman 51 record, the Heat sit behind the Houston Dec 14 Dec 14 Rockets, New Jersey Nets, and the Wash- Fontbonne Univ. 49 St. Mary-of-the-Woods 56 ington Capitols (of the 1946 – 47 season) Rose-Hulman 64 Rose-Hulman 54 who each hold the record of 10 consecu- Rose-Hulman News tive wins by double digits. Dwayne Wade led the Heat’s offensive attack with 32 points, followed by teammates Chris Bosh and LeBron James with 23 points Winning streak ends de- and 20 points, respectively. The Heat are clearly on a roll, mainly due to their con- sistency, claims Hornets coach Monty Williams. “They do the same thing every night,” he said, “and nobody can stop spite blowout game them.” Interestingly enough, LeBron James also helped lead the Cleveland Kurtis Zimmerman • staff writer sists, and freshman Julian Cavaliers to a nine-game winning streak Strickland scored 11 points of double digits just two seasons ago, The men’s basketball team with seven rebounds. But and Wednesday night he and his team- was split on the week, picking the loss brought the win- mates will attempt to continue the streak. up a loss at Transylvania Uni- ning streak to a close, versity and a win here at home dropping the Engineers against Fontbonne University. to a still impressive 6 – 2 Favre ends start- Coming close to a last-minute on the season and 3 – 1 in win against Transylvania, the league games. ing streak Starting 297 consecutive games over Engineers ended their win- The Engineers hosted 19 seasons, Brett Favre has held the re- ning streak, but they picked Fontbonne University this cord for longest individual streak since up another victory this past past Tuesday, and with 1999. Though still over five years out Tuesday in a blowout game three players in double from surpassing the record, Indianapo- against the Fontbonne Grif- figures, the men were hard lis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning fins. to stop. Strickland led the now holds the longest streak with 205 Keeping Saturday’s game offense with 14 points, and games. Despite knowledge of Favre’s at Transylvania University sophomore civil engineer- damaged throwing shoulder and numb- interesting, the men’s basket- ing major Brent Balsbaugh ness in his hands, fans remained hopeful ball team rallied back from a followed closely behind that the Vikings quarterback could push 16-point deficit with just min- with 11 points and eight through one more injury to take the field. utes remaining before falling rebounds. Gissentanner But the pain was just too much for the to the Pioneers 66 – 63. Three rounded out the offensive 41-year-old veteran, and Tarvaris Jack- Engineers scored in the double effort with 10 points and son led the offense instead. Favre even digits in an effort to push their 11 rebounds. At one point had extra time to rest up after the game winning streak to seven con- late in the second half the was delayed from Sunday due to the roof secutive games, but it simply Engineers held a 22-point collapse of the Metrodome which pushed wasn’t enough. Sophomore lead that could never be the game to Monday night at Ford Field. electrical engineering student completely demolished by However, Favre came out of the locker Nate Gissentanner put up 16 the Griffins, and the men room just over a half-hour before the points and eight rebounds, finished the game out 64 – game kicked off, in a T-shirt and warm- followed closely behind by 49 to improve to 7 – 2 on up pants and wished Jackson and several two civil engineering majors. the season. The men will other teammates luck while receiving Sophomore Austin Weather- host Robert Morris Col- Sophomore electrical engineering major Nate Gissentanner cheers from the crowd. It has not yet been ford contributed 14 points, lege on Thursday at 7:30 enters the fray to snag a rebound. announced if Favre would be return- eight rebounds, and five as- p.m in Hulbert Arena. Rose-Hulman News ing later in the season for the Vikings. cho O Flipside Issue 11 Wacky prof quotes “If you lose a political race nowadays they put you out to pasture. Like thoroughbreds.” — Dr. Livesay. Give them some credit... at least they don’t turn you into glue any more.

“That sounds exces- sively excessive, if I can redundantly repeat myself.” —Dr. Mayhew, so good he even designs redundancy into his sentences.

“Well, that one has a blue thing running TO it, which means... nothing to me.” —Dr. Mr. Holder, thankfully not a bomb Matt Melton and Noël Spurgeon• Prankster pros technician.

“I am Scott McClellan ‘Twas the Night and I would like to talk to you about life insur- Noël Spurgeon More rapid than eagles came pause, couldn’t rest until Share the spirit ance.” Procrastinating Poet their reprimands, done! of Christmas — Dr. McClellan. I shivered and shrunk before But it was not so simple, my Please please please ‘Twas the night before dead- and give us their demands; wireless failed, PLEASE don’t tell me line, and in my apartment, “Noël, are you finished? Did Seconds before the page was something for a that that’s a prereq- I was having a rough time in you remember to write? emailed. change. E-mail uisite for taking this the sleep department; Come on, get a move on! We I reached for the cord and your graphs, class. My writer’s block gnawed at print this tonight! plugged it into the wall, the edge of my brain, Why are you sleeping? How But the problem was Avenue, charts, and oth- Rose Profs say crazy Chewing and chomping till I could you forget? it did nothing at all; er nonsense to things. E-mail them went insane; You’ve still got a chance, the I let out a yell and raised my thorn-flipside@ to the Flipside at My roommates were nestled night’s not over yet!” fist in the air, thorn-flipside@ all snug in their beds, rose-hulman.edu I stood on the ledge, my face All my hard work was gone, rose-hulman.edu While visions of hard drives frozen in shock, how could it be so unfair? danced in their heads; I forgot how to breathe, let “But wait!” cried Ekl, “Don’t But I in my slippers and bath- alone how to talk; give up just now!” robe and cap, My heart turned to ice, and I “We can get this to print, and Was camped out on the couch, thought I might cry, I know just how!” attempting to nap, My worst fears had come A wink of his eye and a twist Top “10” Ten When out on the porch there true, I’d become that guy. of his head, arose such a clatter, I threw myself down, and Soon gave me to know I had Gifts to give at Festivus I sprang from my seat to see begged for their mercy, nothing to dread; what was the matter. But they brushed me off, and He pulled out his thumb Matt Melton • Graduate gift-giver Something was moving, deep just told me to hurry. drive and put it in quick, in the shrubs, I booted up my computer, Moved all the files, and 1. Automatic Laundry Sorter – Build a working one of these, Someone that halted my and stretched out my wrists, pulled it out with a click, and your mother will never need another gift from you. watching of Scrubs. My head starting to fill with “Now to get this to presses!” The lights up above lit the lot charts, graphs, and lists. he yelled as he ran 2. Fix Someone’s PC – Because it’s cheap, easy, everyone needs all around I brewed some coffee and Down the stairs, out the door, it, and you know how to do it. And quickly revealed the chugged it with haste, and hopped into his van; source of the sound, It was nearly three thirty, He was tailed by Mullans, 3. The phone number for Homework Hotline – All your rela- For what to my wondering there was no time to waste! who hopped right on in, tives under the age of 17 now love you twice as much. eyes should appear, My EIC’s reappeared to And they drove out of sight But my two EIC’s, their faces breathe down my back, with a screech and a spin. 4. An RHIT Hoodie – Just because you aren’t an engineer severe, To keep me on focus, to keep I heard my roommates’ doesn’t mean you can’t look like one. They each grasped an issue, me on track. alarms as they started to and waved it about, My fingers they flew, it was a wake, 5. Pocket Protector –Well… Just because you aren’t an engi- And when they saw me, they race with the sun! And thought to myself: “I neer, doesn’t mean you don’t want to look like one… started to shout. I couldn’t stop, couldn’t can’t wait until break.” 6. Spinning Drink Insta-chiller – A little bit of applied Thermo knowledge and your father will be buying beers for all the guys – and it won’t matter that they’re warm. Rose Men of Genius 7. Modded Nerf Gun – You know that all you need to do is remove the air restrictors out of Nerf guns and they shoot two Celebrating the unsung heroes of Rose-Hulman Noël Spurgeon • humor editor to three times as far. All your little cousins need to know is that Today we salute you, Mr. Last-Minute Christmas Shopper. So engrossed in your studies that you’re awesome. you hardly noticed the approach of this most blessed and commercialized holiday, ignorance has given way to panic as you suddenly realize that it is December 24 and you have no pre- 8. I <3 U Virus – Make a program on your girlfriend’s com- sents. Now you sprint frantically through Walmart, hoping beyond hope to find something in puter that reminds her of amazing she is every day. For extra the graveyard of empty holiday displays, already picked clean by people who can remember points, make it network accessible so you can trigger it multiple what day it is. You trek around the city, hoping that your eleventh-hour searching will yield times whenever you make her angry. something, anything that you can slap a bow on, but it is to no avail. Do you return home bearing fruitcake, shoe polish, and gym socks, but mocked by even the woman who gave birth 9. The “Solve” Function on Graphing Calculators – Congratu- to you? Do you admit defeat, and face your family empty-handed? Nay sir, nay. You were lations, you just made Algebra I, Algebra II, and half of Pre-Cal- he for whom Hallmark and gift card kiosks were invented, the fluffy, mind-numbingly cute culus really, REALLY easy. penguin-printed cards lightening the weight of your transgression. It’s adorable anyway. So here’s to you, oh giver of the gift cards… because there’s no better way to say “I love and care 10. A Girlfriend – Hey, we’re not magicians… about you” than $10 to Subway.

This is the Flipside disclaimer, where I do the responsible thing and refuse to accept responsibility. All unattributed content was written by Noël Spurgeon, who likes gingerbread, sugar, peanut butter, chocolate chip, and snickerdoodle cookies, if you were keeping track. Happy Christmas you guys! It’s almost break! Are the exams this week really necessary? We appreciate our time off without you beating on us before we leave. The exams are quite unnecessary. This week’s Office Quote: “If you want to hit people in the woods with sticks, call