1832's New Blog: CampusTavern.com

Readers-

1832 is no more as we have moved from 1832.blogspot.com to our new home at www.CampusTavern.com. We will officially launch CampusTavern.com on Tuesday, Jan. 17th when classes resume at Marquette but feel free to check out the new website along with its new features, including our really cool Vanilla discussion board forum where you control the content.

CampusTavern.com: Where students meet to talk about politics, sports, news, campus events, parties, gossip, religion, and beer–from the left.

Features:

1. Wordpress 2.0
2. Customizable font size for easy viewing
3. Printable Blog Posts
4. Polling Feature
5. More Writers and More Topics
   
6. Podcasts using Skype: Coming Soon
7. And many more features on the way.

We hope you like it-

The CampusTavern.com blogstaff

Merry Christmas from all of us at 1832

Merry Christmas!

All of us at 1832 hope that your Christmas celebrations with friends and family are going well where ever your holiday travel plans have taken you.

As many of you have noticed we have stopped blogging at 1832 since finals got done at Marquette and this is not by accident. As much as all of us at 1832 value our readership, we value our time with our friends, family, and loved ones even more and are spending our free time accordingly.

However, we do have a Christmas present for all of our readers at 1832--a new blog. When we come back from Christmas break, 1832 will move off of blogspot.com and move to our own domain name with our own hosting set up. This new blog will allow us to better serve our readership with a diverse array of new writers and features that will give readers more control over content and the ability to discuss subjects that are not currently being discussed by staff bloggers.

The new blog will officially launch when we resume classes at Marquette on Tuesday, January 17th 2006. Until then 1832 bloggers will blog as they see fit here at 1832.blogspot.com, but will more than likely be spending most of their time with friends and family or working on different aspects of the new blog as we prepare it for launch.

We will provide a link to the new blog here on 1832 when we have completed the construction of the new blog with all of its new features.

Until then have a Merry Christmas and please take this time to enjoy your Christmas break and your time with your loved ones.

The 1832 Blogstaff

Vote Now For Tim Walz!

Russ Fiengold's Progressive Patriots Fund is allowing people to vote to pick which candidates the PAC will endorse, among them is Tim Walz, who is a candidate from Minnesota's 1st CD that 1832 has endorsed.

Vote For Tim Now!

About Tim:

Tim Walz has dedicated his life to serving his country. Command Sergeant Major Walz has a proven record of leadership and dedicated service as a 24 year veteran in the Army National Guard, a high school teacher, and a director of student exchanges to China. Married to Gwen since 1994, Tim became a doting father to Hope in 2001. Tim wants to serve his county as the next Congressman from Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District!

Tim’s website is www.timwalz.org

Vote Tim Walz

Valuing Life

Having just read Professor McAdams' post about the upcoming execution of Stanley "Tookie" Williams, I felt the obligation to defend what he describes as the "attachment that liberal activists and Hollywood airheads have for [Mr. Williams]."

While I found the Boston Globe article he referenced interesting, (and indeed, disturbing by the details of violence in them), I felt that it was extremely one-sided, and did not take into account the positive things that Mr. Williams has done since his incarceration in 1981. This man has been on death row for 24 years. He has been in prison longer than I have been alive. In the time that Mr. Williams has been imprisoned, he has denounced his gang ties, and has worked to end gang violence.

I am not advocating that Mr. Williams is innocent of these crimes. What I am advocating is that he should be granted clemency. This would mean that he would be spared from the death penalty, but he would remain in prison for the rest of his life.

Professor McAdams writes that "Death penalty opponents claim that executing murderers somehow sends the message that killing is alright, since the state is killing. This sort of logic says that sending an army to invade Germany in World War II sent a message that invasions are alright. Of course, it sent exactly the opposite message."

I disagree. I don't think that death penalty opponents think that by using capital punishment, we send the message that killing is ok. It is for several reasons that I will outline that I believe capital punishment is wrong. These reasons are not a complete list, but merely touch on examples that I have encountered in my research.

As a death penalty opponent I have done extensive research and talked with several attorneys who have handled cases where capital punishment was at stake. Most of these people who work to ensure the justice of this country do not believe that the death penalty significantly deters criminals from committing a crime. Jeffrey Fagan, a professor at Columbia Law School testified before the New York State assembly with very compelling evidence that capital punishment has not been proven to deter crime.

There are other options besides death; a punishment of life without parole is just as a deterrant for crime as capital punishment. Studies have repeatedly shown that a life imprisonment is also less costly than using the death penalty because of the huge costs of appeals. For these reasons, I do not believe capital punishment ought to be administered.

I also believe that employing the use of capital punishment has moral implications. Professor McAdams says that "executing murderers sends exactly the right message about the value of human life." What message is this? Yes, we should recognize that there are victims of those who are currently on death row. Yes, their lives were valuable and yes, there ought to be a punishment for the crimes against them, but aren't the lives of those on death row also valuable? Stanley Tookie Williams has worked diligently to bring peace to America's gang ridden inner cities. Yes, he allegedly killed several people, but his life still has value, even in prison. By murdering these people (yes, murder is the cause of death when someone is killed through capital punishment. it is quite ironic) we send a vengeful message about the value of human life. Can someone explain to me how we value human life by killing? Yes, I understand that by executing someone it acts as a retribution for killing someone else, but that doesn't end the pain for a family who lost a loved one. The only message sent through executions is that this nation only values certain lives--the lives of those who are victims. Everyone has done something wrong in their lives, some more than others. We mere and fallible humans cannot reasonably make the determination of whose lives are valuable and whose are not. To me, every life is sacred. Every life has value. Criminals should be in prison, but they should be allowed to live and to contribute to society, even from behind bars.

I don't disagree that there are evil people in this world and that we must have a system in place to ensure the protection of citizens, but capital punishment does little to protect people. It does not detract from crime, it is costly, and to say that executions show that we value human life is the most oxymoronic thing I have heard in a long time. We must have a system of justice where criminals are prosecuted, but to kill someone to say that killing is wrong does not value life whatsoever.

My Dad Joins The Hybrid Revolution

Before my Dad bought my Mom a Mercedes Benz E-Class, my family has for the most part been a strictly American automobile family as collectively we have owned or currently own the following cars: several Chrysler Minivans, a Chrysler LHS, a Chrysler 300m, a Chevy Tracker (my current car), a Chevy Corvette, a Chevy Silverado truck, a Ford Expedition, a Ford Escape, and I believe we owned an Oldsmobile when I was really young and an Acura when we first moved to CA in the late 1980s.

Two weeks ago, my dad, who finally realized that the Chevy Silverado truck was a bad purchase (I had been telling him this from the very day he bought it) and given the rising cost of gasoline decided to sell it and replace it with the 2006 version of this car (which is only the 2nd Japanese automobile we have ever owned) :



So far my dad loves his Honda Civic Hybrid and drives it in to work everyday (he will love it even more when he gets the sticker from the CA government that allows him to use the car pool lane without having any additional passengers). He says that it is a joy to drive and even accelerates better than my Mom's E-class. The interior is very well done and the cabin is almost silent when only running on the electric motor. Most importantly, my Dad is averaging around 40mpg which is more than double what the truck averaged (although it is slighty less than the sticker estimate).

My dad loves the hybrid technology so much that he has decided that in a year or two he will likely sell my sisters car when she goes to college and replace it with another hybrid.

That would bring the total fuel economy of all the cars currently owned by varies members of our family to over 32 mpg.

And from looks of the U.S. Auto Industry, my family isnt the only one that is trading in large SUVs and trucks for more efficient cars or hybrids.

Final Petition Update

The following petition was submitted to University officials and The Marquette Tribune yesterday with 297 signatures:

Freedom of expression and the exchange of ideas are essential in an academic setting and should be encouraged rather than punished. The signers of the petition demand that the student who was suspended for expressing his personal beliefs online in a form of a personal blog be fully reinstated to the University and that all disciplinary actions taken against him be overturned. Specifically, the signers of petition believe that the decision by the Marquette University Faculty/Student Conduct Board should be overturned on the following grounds:

Whereas: The Dental School Faculty/Student Conduct Board denied the student a fair hearing

Whereas: The University grossly infringed on his right to freedom of speech by using statements made to a close group of friends on his personal blog against him

Whereas: The punishment was overly excessive and can be shown to be more than arbitrary and capricious

Whereas: The decision, If upheld, would set a disastrous precedent for student free speech rights and would give the University a seemingly limitless reach into students lives.

This petition is officially sponsored and endorsed by: Marquette College Democrats, Marquette College Republicans, 1832, The Warrior Blog, Leaning Blue, Brewtown Politico, GOP3.com, Adam Chernow's Blog, The Office of Homeland Security and Eminent Domain.

Thank you to all of you that took the time to sign it.

Severe Winter Weather caused by Joseph Kastner and I Agreeing on Something

According to the movie Dogma living in Milwaukee is worse then being in hell. Thus since Joseph Kastner and I have agreed on something we have caused Hell (Milwaukee) to freeze over. I apologize in advance if this unholy alliance causes you to slip and fall on your way to class today. Apparently Kastner and I are in full agreement over the ridiculous resolution that MUSG presented and passed late last night:

The following is a paragraph taken from Resolution 1 "“On Behalf of Student Expression"” which was presented and passed by MUSG this evening:

Whereas: It is recognized that Marquette University, in accordance with its Jesuit values and ideals and in compliance with its Policies and Procedures, reserves the right to monitor and censor expression both on and off Marquette'’s campus;

The concern raised by Ryan Alexander of 1832 in regards to this particular paragraph, one which I agree with mind you (Yes, Hell did freeze over and pigs did fly for a short period of time there), is that the language used directly contradicts the position MUSG sought to take in regards to the issue of free speech rights for students and by passing the resolution with this specific paragraph intact was in effect writing a blank check to the university administration.

This is blatant hypocrisy and not a single senator at that meeting, not even the ones I felt were conservatives (I will not name names but they know who they are if they are reading this), spoke out against this.

And:

I just do not see the point of passing a toothless resolution like this. This "‘Let'’s take action, albeit insignificant action, and show that we are at least doing something, even if it in the end turns out to be nothing, and we'’ll resolve the real issue when we come back from a month-long break if any one of us remembers it when we get back" approach does not fly with me one bit.

Even the senators from MUSG themselves are quick to admit that passage of the resolution is essentially for show and that a Student Bill of Rights, whatever that may entail, though I would assume that from what they were saying that the issue of free speech, in one form or another, would be included, would be discussed next semester.

I, however, am not willing to hold my breath that this will be done. I mean, how long did it actually take MUSG to come up with the funding needed to build those notice boards they have wanted to build for two years now? And is there any sign that these notice boards will be built any time in the near future? Not as far as I can tell.

And even if it is discussed as MUSG claims they will, how are we sure that this Student Bill of Rights will not be as hollow or toothless as this resolution was?

Once more MUSG has shown to the student body of Marquette University and, more importantly, to the university administration itself that they have no backbone when it comes to issues that directly effect the constituents they insist they represent. Once more they have allowed this administration to walk right over them in pushing students around without fear of reprisal. As it was with the "Gold"’ issue in May 2005, so it seems as though this issue must be carried on the shoulders of the individual students (Brandon Henak, Daniel Suhr, Brian Collar, Ryan Alexander, and myself) and professors (Dr. McAdams) in order for something to be done in regards to this issue.

Well said Mr. Kastner and thank you for saving me from having to write out my view in detail. Is it just me or does the University always seem to do something to piss off students right before finals?

MUSG Concedes Marquette Has Right to Censorship

I don't know what I was thinking when I had hope that MUSG would actually do something positive for their fellow students on campus. This is the MUSG after all that is led by Alex Hermanny who actually "thanked the administration" for the input it took from students in the "GOLD" annoucement.

Resolution 1: "On Behalf of Student Expression", which was passed, contained the following statement:

"Whereas: It is recognized that Marquette University, in accordance with its Jesuit values and ideals and in compliance with its Policies and procedures, reserves the right to monitor and censor expression both on and off Marquette's campus"

Um hello MUSG!?!?! When did censorship become an ideal " in accordance with Jesuit values"? So thats where the Dental School got the suspension idea from--the Jesuits! (Im clearly joking, I assume this was just poor wording that none of them caught).

MUSG passed the resolution despite the fact that I stated in the public comments section, that including such a statement makes the rest of the resolution null and void, much like the War Powers Act fails to limit Presidential War Powers because the Congress conceded that the President has the right to insert troops into combat without the consent of the Congress.

During the debate, Alex Hermanny and Brock Banks stated that (from the GOP3.com live blog):

SENATOR BANKS: Talked with Dean McCarthy. Their view is that when you commit yourself to MU student, you sign onto a contract with a policy and student conduct code, and that they have the right to censor student expression whenever they want since when we're on campus we'’re theirs and when we're off-campus we're a representative of the University. Still, just because they can censor us doesn'’t mean they should. Brock points out the negative effects that can occur when the University does exercise their right. MUSG wants the University to be prudent in its decisions to curb student expression, given our goal to make the University an open forum for the free exchange of ideas.

DANIEL: Alex mentioned that he talked with Fr. Andy, and Fr. Thon [sic] said that he felt part of this issue was the higher standard of conduct expected from professional school students.

Jeez guys you talked to Dr. McCarthy the Dean of OSD, which is the Department that is the main oppessor of speech on and off campus, and Fr. Andy Thon who both agree that Marquette has an absolute right to "monitor and censor speech on and off campus". They clearly wouldn't have a vested interest in claiming such a right even if its doesn't legally exist.

Did any members of MUSG speak with a lawyer or Professor from the law school to verify this? Nope. Apparently none of the MUSG Senators even bothered to readl this Marquette Tribune staff editorial that stated:

The expelled student could argue that the university rule in question was not clear enough with regards to off-campus speech. He could also argue that Marquette received money from the government for the dental school building, and in that way is a government actor, broadening the student's right to free speech, according to Erik Ugland, a professor of media law at Marquette. Ugland said in an e-mail interview that he hoped the university would rescind its suspension.

I'm going to write a lot more later this weekend about everything that is wrong with this resolution because I have a lot of work to do tonight.

However, I will say this, unless MUSG is willing to put up a tougher fight with the Admin, I have zero faith in MUSG's pledge to pass a real "students bill of rights" next semester that actually protects students.

Last Day To Sign The Petition To Protect Free Speech!

Please take the time to sign this petition if you have not done so already and forward it to all of your friends!

1832 will deliver the petition to Dental School tomorrow between 8am-9am to make sure it gets in before the appeal hearing.

Thanks to all of your efforts the petition jumped from the #2 petition to the #1 spot today on www.ipetitions.com:

1. Protect MU Students Free Speech Rights

2. Start a bar for Homophobes in Baie-Comeau!

3. Help Fix the RIT Residential Mealplans

4. Support the Yale-New Haven Cancer Center

5. Save Al-Mansuri Family and their little Canadian D

Lets mare sure it says #1!

Also if you have time please contact the following Marquette officials and let them know what you think:

Dr. Denis Lynch: Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Contact Dr. Lynch via email at: denis.lynch@marquette.edu

Contact Dr. Lynch on the phone at: 414-288-7485


Dr. Anthony Ziebert: Chairman of Department of General Dental Sciences

Contact Dr. Ziebert via email at: anthony.ziebert@marquette.edu

Contact Dr. Ziebert on the phone at: 414-288-3704

Student Senate to Vote Today on Resolution to Protect Free Speech

According to a friend of mine who is close to MUSG, the Student Life Committee has approved a resolution that condemns the Dental School's decision to suspend a student over the contents of his blog and that a "student bill of rights" is also on the table.

The Student Senate will vote on the resolution and discuss a possible "student bill of rights" tonight at 7:30pm in AMU room 227.

A "student bill of rights" or MUSG resolutions that further protect students right to free speech on and off campus is something that I have long advocated for. I just find it sad that an event such as this, is what forced to the table.

Marquette College Democrats, Marquette College Republicans, The Warrior Blog, GOP3.com, 1832 and even my old Students for Dean group have long warned that Marquette student's freedom of expression has been under attack by the administration--the time for change is now.

Petition makes it way up to #2 petition on iPetitions, TuckerMax.com reports on "Dental-gate"

The petition started by 1832 to reinstate Marquette Dental Student Theodore Schrubbe and have all disciplinary action taken against him overturned has already jumped to the #2 petition of the day on www.ipetitions.com:

today's Top Petitions:

1. Save Movies at Spangenberg Theatre

2. Protect MU Students Free Speech Rights

3. Save Al-Mansuri Family and their little Canadian D

4. Oprah Winfrey for Nobel Peace Prize

5. Start a bar for Homophobes in Baie-Comeau!

However, don't take this to mean we don't need more people to sign it! Please take the time to sign the petition and forward it to anyone you know!

For those of you with more time, we also encourage you to email or call Associate Dean Denis Lnych's office at:

denis.lynch@marquette.edu

Phone: 414-288-7485

Click here to view his webpage

In related TuckerMax.com, who received a lot of notoriety for posting about his drunken escapades while at Duke Law School, has also reported on and condemned the suspension of Theodore Schrubbe.