The California Tech Volume CXX number 4 Pasadena, California [email protected] oCtober 17, 2016 A Trumpian mess - a review of the second debate RAMYA DESHPANDE As Morgan Kousser, Professor Page Editor of History and Social Science here at Caltech, puts it, “I was “Because you’d be in jail,” beginning to wonder if I’d just smirked the same man who once romanticized previous campaigns; proclaimed his endless wit in misremembered what had gone avoiding taxes, as he interrupted on, when I happened upon a presidential candidate with 30 rebroadcasts of previous debates years in public service. on CSPAN. But in fact, every “I am very embarrassed by it presidential debate before this year and I hate it, but it’s locker room was much better. Richard Nixon talk and it’s one of those things,” and Jack Kennedy were so much he said, attempting to explain away better prepared than Trump is, sexual assault. and they discussed the particulars “I have great respect for women. of each other’s programs and their Nobody has more respect for own with considerable precision. women than I do”, he continued, Even Reagan was infinitely more standing next to a woman who has serious and, I thought that I’d devoted her career to equal pay, never say this, more acute about reproductive rights and family policy than Donald Trump is”. leave. Let me paint the picture: the It’s difficult to digest the reality. Trump campaign’s guests included This was the second presidential three women who have accused debate for the highest office of the President Bill Clinton of sexual United States and it showed us assault - a base attempt to attack how horrifically unfit a particular a female candidate through her candidate is for the presidency. husband - while Clinton invited Avery students gather to watch the second presidential debate. Photo Courtesy of Antonio Rangel. Avery Faculty-in-Residence a woman with breast cancer, a Rangel), I couldn’t help but feel News briefs from around the globe member of the Little Rock Nine, disillusioned by the predominantly A brief list of events from the past week, compiled by the editors and a woman whose daughter was liberal Caltech crowd: everyone born with hearing impairments to around me scoffed at Trump’s highlight the span of her political gaucheries while applauding career. The first question of the Clinton’s policy points. U.S. hostages freed in Yemen debate asked the candidates if they felt they were modeling appropriate Trump couldn’t possibly get 2 U.S. citizens held by Houthi rebels freed and flown to Oman [BBC] and positive behavior for today’s elected, I thought to myself. youth. Clinton emphasized her Indeed, we’ve become accustomed message of unity, of working with to collectively shaking our heads New York surgeons separate conjoined twins every American and of a future for and rolling our eyes at him and our children and grandchildren; assuming that everyone else feels 16 hours of surgery later, the McDonald twins were separated at the head [BBC] Trump began by claiming he agreed the same. Yet, the reality is that with everything she said and then 41% of likely voters still support proceeded to criticize Obamacare him, 14% of voters felt they were and the Iran deal and expressing more likely to support him after the International community agrees to limit pollutants from ACs his wishes to improve “our inner debate and more Independents and 170 countries will curb use of hydrofluorocarbons to combat global warming [TIME] cities for the African-American white voters favor him over Clinton citizens that are so great”. Amidst [NBC/WSJ poll]. Yes, there exists threatening to send Clinton to jail, a small, frightening possibility accusing the Clinton campaign of that Donald J. Trump could be European probe nearing Mars landing starting the birther issue - “You’re the next Commander-in-Chief of the one that sent the pictures the United States. I say this as a 577 kg satellite has separated from its launcher and should land on Wednesday [BBC] around, your campaign sent the concerned citizen who cannot vote pictures around with President in this election: the blame will rest Obama in a certain garb, that was squarely on our shoulders if this Giant panda believed to be oldest in captivity dies long before I was ever involved. undeserving candidate is elected. So you actually owe an apology” - You, as an empowered voter, have 38 year-old Jia Jia was put to sleep in Hong Kong after her condition worsened over the and discussing his various political the ultimate power to stop it; you blunders, the American electorate can vote and you can influence the past few weeks [BBC] received a shallow coverage of voter population. Because if you issues. As Professor Kousser points don’t, we will forever be labelled out: “Every effort by a moderator or as the era which chose a politically Bridge collapses off Bali island in Indonesia a reporter or an audience member incompetent, racist businessman or Hillary to get below the most over a former United States 8 were killed and 30 others injured due to crowds on an old bridge in Bali [BBC] superficial level on any policy senator, politically active First topic has been unsuccessful, and Lady and Secretary of State. so much of the campaign is about Raging wildfire has destroyed 22 homes in Nevada Trump’s personal qualities that everything else gets squeezed out”. 3400 acres of land have been affected by fire that 1000 firefighters are working to con- Watching the debate (generously tain [CNN] hosted by Avery’s Faculty-in- Residence, Professor Antonio news | Page 3 news | Page 3 sPORTS | Page 5 OPInIOn | Page 7 In thIs Pasadena Is the hOw the BuIld- Bradley POsts ascIt PresIdent cIty Of Ing BlOcks Of lIfe career hIgh In encOurages Issue astrOnOmy cOme tO Be water POlO “rOtatIng” announCements 2 oCtober 17, 2016 the calIfOrnIa tech EARNEST C. Caltech Y Column Caltechlive! WATSON CALTECH Y LECTURE SERIES identification requirements. Dr. Katz will The Caltech Y Column serves to inform discuss how to estimate the impact of these students of upcoming events and volunteer laws on turnout, particularly on minority as Wednesday, October 26, 2016 l 8 PM opportunities. The list is compiled by well as older voters. He will pay particular Katherine Guo from information given by attention to the difficulties in using existing the Caltech Y and its student leaders. data to make reasonable estimates. Founded by students in 1916, the Y was RSVP Required: https://goo.gl/ Diagnostics for global HealtH organized to provide extracurricular activities forms/4gRhP9yIgiSLHVan2 planned and implemented by students as an anD antimicrobial stewarDsHip opportunity to learn leadership skills and 4. Griffith Park Observatory - discover themselves. The mission of today’s Y Caltech Y Explore LA Series remains the same—to provide opportunities Saturday | October 22nd | 5:00 - 10:00 that will prepare students to become PM | Cost: $15 | Transportation provided engaged, responsible citizens of the world. Sign-up starting Thursday, Oct 13th at the The Y seeks to broaden students’ worldviews, Caltech Y at 10:00 AM raise social, ethical, and cultural awareness (Payment due at time of sign up) through teamwork, community engagement, rustem IsmagIlov activism, and leadership. More information Join the Caltech Y on a journey to the etHel wilson bowles & about the Caltech Y and its programs can be center of the universe through Griffith robert bowles found at https://caltechy.org. The office is Observatory. It is Southern California’s professor of cHemistry & located at 505 S. Wilson Avenue. gateway to the cosmos! Visitors can look cHemical engineering Ongoing and past programs hosted by the through telescopes, explore exhibits, see live Caltech Y: shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium, Alternative Spring Breaks: Peru, Costa and enjoy spectacular views of Los Angeles Rica, New York, Yosemite, San Diego, San and the Hollywood Sign. Diagnostic devices capable of ultrasensitive biomark- Francisco This offer is for students only; however, er measurements are poised to revolutionize medi- Make-A-Difference Day: Hillsides Home students purchasing tickets are permitted to for Children, LA County Arboretum and purchase tickets for up to one guest each - cine—from providing critical point-of-care diagnoses Botanic Garden, Children’s Hospital Los and that guest can be a non-student. Explore to enabling real-time clinical monitoring and improv- Angeles (Coachart), Eaton Canyon, Lifeline LA is coordinated by the Caltech Y. The for Pets Caltech Y is located in the Tyson House 505 ing development of therapeutics. Explore LA: Lakers game, Next to Normal South Wilson (Bldg. 128). musical, Norton Simon Museum trip RISE Tutoring program (an afterschool 5. The Big Bang Theory - Live TV math and science-focused tutoring program Taping that serves public school students between Tuesday | November 15th | 5:00 - 11:30 Free Parking grades 8 and 12) PM (including travel) | Cost: $7 | Burbank public lecture l free admission l free parking Spaces Limited to Undergrads – first Upcoming Events come, first served caltech’s beckman auditorium 1. Union Station Adult Center Sign Up: https://goo.gl/forms/ (626) 395-4652 l www.events.caltech.edu Saturday | October 15th | 5:15 - 9:15 PM r2UD9XcgTI6XtaIz2 | Pasadena Are you interested in seeing a live taping Scientists, Politicians, and Caltech Alumni. Join SEPAC (Science and Engineering Prepare and serve dinner to the residents of the Big Bang Theory? We are preparing Don’t miss this opportunity! Policy at Caltech) for a discussion with at Union Station Adult Center in Pasadena. to order tickets for Tuesday,The November TECH 15th.