2016 – Page 11 – The Western Howl

By: Shaylie Pickerel
Freelancer

The annual homecoming bonfire refused to go down without a fight. Despite the rain at the beginning of the week and the event being postponed to Oct. 20, the weather cleared up just in time. The bonfire had a soggy start and it took a few attempts to get things running, but as the flames grew, so did the crowd surrounding it. There was live music provided by Western’s pep band as well as a visit from Wolfie, our beloved mascot. The field near the Campus Public Safety office was filled with laughter and excitement, as a pie eating contest went underway causing everyone to come together. Wolfie even busted out a few popular dance moves. You could definitely feel the Western community spirit.

Contact the author at spickrell15@wou.edu

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Don’t dismiss third parties

By: Burke De Boer
Sports Editor

If you’re like me, one of our two 2016 candidates has offered policies that resonate and you’ve got a horse in the race that is the presidential election. Chances are you’re not like me.

According to Fivethirtyeight, Clinton and Trump are our least popular candidates screen-shot-2016-10-25-at-8-42-55-pm ever. Yet many argue that if you don’t vote for their candidate you’re wasting your vote outright. This is, after all, an astonishingly important election. We’re told Trump with nuclear codes will lead to the end of the world, while Clinton’s aggressive stances from Honduras to Russia will lead to World War III, and possibly also the end of the world.

Trevor Noah warns that Trump will go full-dictator and says, “This could be the very last vote you ever get.” Meanwhile, Ann Coulter predicts a Clinton presidency so disastrous that this election will, “determine the survival of western civilization.”

Gosh.

Despisers of Duverger’s law have a way out. All they have to do is waste their vote.

When Gary Johnson ran in 2012, it was the first year that a Libertarian candidate cracked a million votes. He’s definitely getting at least five percent of the popular vote this year.

And that’s what it all comes down to. The third party vote is not actually about electing Gary Johnson or Jill Stein in 2016.

screen-shot-2016-10-25-at-8-43-06-pm Five percent in one election opens Federal Election Commission moneybags the following cycle, entitling a third party to around 10 million dollars of general election financing. For perspective, OpenSecrets.org calculates that the Green Party has raised $3 million this cycle while the Libertarians have pulled $11 million.

The two third parties nearly made it to the debates this year. A strong showing in the election and increased presence going into 2020 could actually get them there.

If a Libertarian or Green Party platform appeals to you, I encourage you to vote for their candidate. To lift a Trump quote, “What have you got to lose?”

The country isn’t going to fall apart just because you cast a ballot for Stein or Johnson in Oregon, a state that will go blue anyway. After all, this is not simply the election where a North Carolina Republican office was firebombed. It’s also the election where, according to Time Magazine, the Democrat Party raised $13,000 to help the Republicans with repairs. It’s an election for a country founded on a government of checks and balances.

If you don’t like your two options in 2016, a third party vote may ensure better options in 2020. At which point we will, again, reassess our country’s policies and direction and again determine our country’s next course.

Contact the author at bdeboer11@mail.wou.edu

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Western promotes diversity

By: TK Layman
Freelancer

Western Oregon University has been making several advances in promoting ethnic, religious and cultural diversity among its students. The university has taken steps to allow students from all backgrounds to feel welcome during their time attending Western.

The 2015 statistics from the Associate Provost of the university, Dave McDonald, show that out of 4,808 undergraduate students within the university, 33.8 percent were non-white students. Relatedly, among returning admissions from 2014 to 2015, the university reported their re-enrollment rates averaging 66.7 percent from non-white students.

Making resources available to the students is a mission that the university takes seriously. They do this by offering several clubs, organizations and services to students of different backgrounds.

The Multicultural Student Union is an organization run by the Multicultural Student Services Program, that offers many different events around campus to promote diversity and the education of our students across campus. Meeting Wednesday nights at 6:00 p.m. in the Werner University Center Columbia Room, students can attend meetings to learn about upcoming events and learn about cultural awareness within our community.

Diversity awareness often times include awareness of different sexual orientations and gender identities. Western offers resources for students within the LGBTQ spectrum in the school’s Stonewall Center. The Stonewall Center coordinates trainings, such as ally and safe space training, for anyone looking to volunteer within the center and learn more about the LGBTQ community. Along with the Stonewall Center is the club, Triangle Alliance, who run many different events on campus and meet with students on Wednesday Nights at 4:00 p.m. in the Health & Wellness Center in room 301 to talk about resources for students and events that may be happening around campus.

Of the resources available to students, many of them have student volunteers and advocates who can also help direct someone to the correct area for which they are following. A large step has been made for student diversity and inclusion, and with the help of online organizations it can make a large difference to everyone attending.

Contact the author at tlayman16@wou.edu

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It’s the great drunk review, Charlie Brown

By: Paige Scofield
News Editor

Note: this article was edited for readability.

So this is going to be less of a review and more of an I watch-I think-I type kind of situation. This is indeed a drunk review of the classic: “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown”. Honestly I don’t know what to expect so strap in because I bet my bottom-dollar that half of this isn’t even going to be about Charlie.

I’m currently finishing a 16 ounce Rolling Rock beer. Before said beer I drank almost a screen-shot-2016-10-25-at-6-17-57-pm whole bottle of champagne so I can’t feel my lips and my legs feel like noodles. I didn’t think that almost a whole bottle of champagne would do this but holy cow I’m gone. I’m trying so hard to type good. But typing is definitely a sober activity (sport?). I have so many bubbles in my stomach.

Okay I’m going to down this beer and start the show! I really just want to sleep but I gotta work dude. Okay let’s watch this thing. Okay starting with the classic music-Linus just ate an apple off the ground what the f***. That’s dirty. Now Lucy and Linus are picking a pumpkin to carve.

Lucy is rude to Linus. Lucy just cut a pumpkin to carve it and Linus thought she killed a vegetable. Go Charles Shultz. Snoopy is playing with a leaf. I love Snoopy. But his cousin Spike is super cool. My mom really likes Spike; Spike isn’t in this but whatever. Charlie is about to get duped with a football. Why does he always trust Lucy to hold a football? And he kicked and fell once again. Lucy, just be nice?

Linus is writing to the Great Pumpkin. Snoopy looks on and laughs. Lucy is being a douche as usual-telling Linus his Great Pumpkin is fake. Linus realizes to never talk about politics, religion and the Great Pumpkin to other people. Sally loves Linus even though he still carries a blanket around. How old are these kids? Also, why does he think the Great Pumpkin is a halloween santa? That’s weird. Sally and Linus have a “date” to wait for the Great Pumpkin but Charlie is like no. CHARLIE GOT INVITED TO A HALLOWEEN PARTY AND DANCES. OOPS, CAPS IS ON. Lucy is still being RUDE. Now they make costumes. Charlie is bad at it. Everyone keeps hating on Linus but Sally approves of him. Also, no one says “tricks or treats” LUCY. It’s “TRICK OR TREAT”.

I feel like I’m writing a play-by-play so I’m going to wait a bit to write more. It’s only eight minutes in. Excuse me, nine minutes. Someone finally said good grief. Pig pen is dirty. Snoopy is a bomb pilot. He is so confident. I wish I could be as confident as Snoopy.

Sally loves Linus a lot. Linus is being sexist thinking little girls believe everything they’re told. what the f— Linus that’s not cool.

I don’t think I have neck bones anymore. Charlie got a rock instead of candy? Snoopy! I finally understand why he called himself Snoop Dog-because Snoopy is so cool. Holy cow I’ve written a lot. Man, if only writing was this easy sober. Where’s Woodstock? Here comes piano man. I don’t remember his name but he’s cool. Snoopy cries weird. Linus thinks Snoopy is the Great Pumpkin. He’s not. Someone finally said blockhead. Linus was out until four in the morning? Where are his parents?

The Great Pumpkin is fake.

12/10 recommend this for everyone to watch. If you want.

Please don’t contact the author.

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It’s morphin’ time

power-rangers-colorimdb

By: Alyssa James
Freelancer

The throwback of all throwbacks is coming your way. A new Power Rangers movie is coming out within the next year. The original “Power Rangers” premiered in 1993 and has been around ever since then. It will be a whole new ball game when it comes to the new movie, directed by Dean Israelite. This new adaptation of “Power Rangers” will be starring Naomi Scott, Becky G., Elizabeth Banks, Bryan Cranston and more. The movie will follow a group of high school students who each have unique superpowers. When an alien threat comes into their lives they realize that they are the only ones who can help. They have to learn to control their powers in order to save the world. It is set to premiere in theaters on March 24, 2017. If you grew up watching “Power Rangers” this is definitely a movie you won’t want to miss.

Not only is there a new movie coming out but there is the possibility of a new Power Rangers TV show focusing on the Green Ranger. Since the Green Ranger appears to be absent from the movie it seems more like there is an actual possibility of this series than not. In an interview with comicbook.com, the actor of the original Green Ranger, Jason David Frank, says that there is a good chance that this spin-off will happen and that there has already been talks with creator Haim Saban about it. While the Green Ranger show is not confirmed, there’s still plenty of Power Rangers content on its way next year.

Contact the author at ajames16@wou.edu

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“Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration Edition”

By: Blayde Biacan
Freelancer

The original tomb raider turned 20 years old last week, and since then has gained a huge fan following. With the 20th anniversary, “Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration” was released on Oct.11. The new edition includes many new features, such as virtual reality and multiplayer.

The game also has a new downloadable expansion called “Blood Ties”. This addition to the story explains Lara Croft’s family bonds and doesn’t add many new details to the story, but rather, enforces some content that was lightly mentioned throughout the plot of the game. The playthrough of this is more story-based so there isn’t much action, but there is a lot of time to connect the dots. This is also playable for anyone with a virtual reality device through free hand control or a move-click system as a form of movement. However, it looks smooth enough without the system and can cause motion sickness.

Another feature of the game which is unlockable after completing the Blood Ties story is a similar playthrough except with the addition of zombies and a more eerie environment to play in. When playing, it’s difficult to really know the direction from where a zombie might appear. The dark environment is no help to this, as it has a small field of view with mixed audio signals in a cramped space with multiple pathways for zombies to approach.

I like the new multiplayer mode, although it’s not competitive. It has a survival component with another player and both players need to rely on each other for food and supplies as well as exploring booby trapped maps that are randomly generated each playthrough.

I would recommend this game to anyone that has played the previous “Rise of the Tomb Raider” and who wants to experience something new with an additional challenge and highly recommend it for people that have not. This is a game that has lasted 20 years in an ever-changing gaming community. Truly a game that deserves the title “old but gold”.

Contact the author at bbiacan16@wou.edu

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Art, music, theater, and dance

By: Jasmine Morrow
Freelancer

On Oct. 21 an amazing event happened on campus: creative arts day. Creative arts day is a great way for high school students to get involved in the art, theater, music and dance programs offered at Western. It also helps the students get to know more about the college itself and see if Western is the school for them. The day was full of tours around campus, a great lunch at Valsetz and being able to see the fantastic options offered here at Western.

This is a brilliant opportunity for high school students because, “it’s really helpful for the students to see the campus, and get a familiarity and see how it feels to be on the campus, because that’s really influential on deciding where you go to college,” said Sydney Culpepper, a Western ambassador who gives tours of the campus and helps people get from session to session. “It’s also really nice to see the different opportunities because a lot of students don’t know the things that they can do when they come to college.”

Already being familiar with the campus before getting to college is incredibly helpful. This is one of the many things Western has to offer and since a lot of high school students aren’t aware of what a college can provide, this makes sure that they are informed of the opportunities presented. The possibilities here at Western are close to endless and spending the day here shows how impressive Western Oregon is.

Contact the author at jmorrow16@mail.wou.edu

Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

Accessibility Public Records Privacy Student Consumer Information

WOU prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by WOU.

Western’s homecoming spirit burns on

Don’t dismiss third parties

Western promotes diversity

It’s the great drunk review, Charlie Brown

It’s morphin’ time

“Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration Edition”

Art, music, theater, and dance

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