Professional Documents
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Tattoo
Tattoo
PAGES 6 & 7
Gist
The
The man and woman arrested in connection with a string of mail thefts were charged with 38 counts of identity theft on Oct. 7.
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The NBA has canceled the first two weeks of the season, NBA commissioner David Stern said at a press conference Monday, Oct. 10. The owners and players were unable to reach a new agreement on revenue shares to end the lockout.
It doesnt look like Ive ever ran well with long hair. See page 10
Defensive specialist Haleigh Adkins and libero Samantha Hutchinson collide as they attempt a dig but miss the ball on Oct. 8 in a game against Seattle Pacific University. The Vikings and Falcons were tied for first place in the GNAC conference before Saturday nights game. The Vikings lost 3-2 after five sets. Photo by Lillian Furlong
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See page 12
At 3:45 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7, the intersection of Magnolia Street and Cornwall Avenue was quiet. By 4 p.m., hundreds of protesters had gathered at the intersection in front of the Federal Building as part of the nationwide Occupy Wall Street movement inspired by the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York City. Protesters plan to meet at this intersection at 4 p.m. every Friday indefinitely. Western senior Jennifer Dunn said students will gather at 3 p.m. Friday on Campus to march downtown and join the protest at 4 p.m. From downtown, the protesters will march to Maritime Heritage Park at 5 p.m. to have a general assembly where they will decide whether or not to turn the weekly Friday protests into a continuous occupation. Bellingham artist Lea Kelley stood above the crowd on a concrete pillar on the corner of Cornwall Avenue and was steadied above the crowd by two other protesters while she gave a brief speech to start the protest. We the people, will no longer serve as pawns on the chessboard of the oligarchy checkmate, Kelley said. After a few people took turns voicing their demands on a megaphone, the protesters began to march in a loop on either side of the street down Cornwall Avenue, past Bank of America, to Chestnut Street and then back to the Federal Building.
u see oCCupY, page 4
Index
The
Western freshman Mariana Blas signs her name in support of Initiative 502 on Monday, Oct. 10, in front of Arntzen Hall. The initiative would legalize the distribution of marijuana by licensed stores to adults who are at least 21 years old. Photo by Erin Nash u see MariJuana, page 4
2 | NeWs
Cops Box
Bellingham Police
October 7
A man was arrested at 11 a.m. in the 400 block of Birchwood Avenue on suspicion of indecent exposure. Police said he pulled down his pants and exposed his penis to a nurse while undergoing dialysis treatment.
October 9
A woman discovered her $100 bill was counterfeit when she attempted to make a purchase with it at 12:14 p.m. in the 4200 block of Meridian Street.
University Police
October 7
University Police issued 43 citations for bicycle code violations in campus walk zones. Joel Zeonian, 9, holds hands with his dad, Lauren Zeonian, as he slacklines on Monday, Oct. 10, outside the Science, Math and Technology Education building on Westerns campus. It was Joels first time slacklining. He is an adventurous kid, Lauren Zeonian says. The slacklining was part of an event put on by Young Life, and Lauren is the Director of Young Life at Western. Photo by Lillian Furlong
Check it out.
tuesdaY, oCt. 11 WednesdaY, oCt. 12
4:30 - 5:45 p.m. Film: In Whose Honor? Diversity Film Series Wilson Library room 164F WWU 5:30 p.m. Fitness: Southside Track Workout Fairhaven Runners & Walkers 1209 11th St. 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Dining: Kulshan Community Land Trust Community Dinner in the Kitchen Ciao Thyme restaurant 207 Unity St. 7 p.m. Reading: Before Seattle Rocked: A City and its Music by Kurt Armbruster Village Books 1200 11th St. 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. Music: 3D Soul with DJ Yogoman and Platonic DJ The Shakedown 1212 N State St. noon - 1:20 p.m. Lecture: Report Back from Afghanistan: People, Land, War and Peace Dana Visalli, biologist and organic farmer Fairhaven World Issues Forum Fairhaven College Auditorium WWU 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Art: Guided Tour at Allied Arts of Whatcom County and Networking Coffee Allied Arts 1418 Cornwall Ave. 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Food: $3.95 burger night The Fairhaven Pub 1114 Harris Ave. 8 p.m. - 2 a.m. Music: Blessed Coast Sound System Wild Buffalo House of Music 208 W. Holly St. 9 p.m. - 2 a.m. Music: E-Clec-Ti-City with Queen Annes Revenge The Shakedown 1212 N State St. 9 p.m. - 11 p.m. Film: Trailer Wars 21 Pickford Cinema 1318 Bay St.
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Compiled by Evan Abell
The Western Front Western Washington University Communications Facility 251 Bellingham, WA 98225
Editor-in-Chief Gina Cole Managing Editor Paige Collins News Editors Kyle Gootkin, Will Graff Features Editors Rachel Lerman, Jeremy Smith Sports Editor TJ Cotterill Opinion Editor Olena Rypich Photo Editor Lillian Furlong Copy Editors Christina Crea, Robin Turnblom Online Editor Celeste Erickson Multimedia Editor Tristan Wood Editorial Department Newsroom: 360-650-3162 westernfrontonline@gmail.com Communications Facility 222 Letters to the editor: westernfront.opinion@gmail.com Press releases: WFpress.release@gmail.com Faculty Adviser Jack Keith, jack.keith@wwu.edu Advertising Department 360-650-3160 Michele Anderson, advertising manager Alethea Macomber, business manager
Corrections
The Western Front strives for accuracy and will correct errors of fact promptly and courteously. Please notify us of any factual errors at westernfrontonline@gmail.com.
Bill Distlers name was misspelled in the caption on a photo that ran with the Oct. 7 story The 10-year war.
The Western Front is published twice weekly in the fall, winter and spring quarters, and once a week in the summer. The Western Front is the official newspaper of Western Washington University and is published by the Student Publications Council. It is mainly supported by advertising. Opinions and stories in the newspaper have no connection to advertising. News content is determined by student editors. Staff reporters are involved in a course in the department of journalism, but any student enrolled at Western may offer stories to the editors. Members of the Western community are entitled to a single free copy of each issue of The Western Front.
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Thursday Friday
Matthew Anderson displays the Twitter application he uses to update Westerns account. Anderson uses a mix of computer and his phone to keep up with the @WWU timeline. He said his goal is to increase communication with students through the immediate-response social medium. Photo by Maddy Mixter institution. Western junior Allie Holzman, 17, said she enjoys connecting with the university online. This is Holzmans first year at Western, but she is considered a junior because of credits earned through Running Start during high school. The first time she interacted with Western on Twitter was over the summer. Getting super antsy for summerstart tomorrow! #wwu, Holzman tweeted on Aug. 7. Welcome to Summerstart! replied Westerns Twitter account the next day. I was kind of surprised. I didnt know they would [tweet back], Holzman said. Dont expect Anderson to tweet back every time and all the time his hours behind the screen monitoring Twitter are typically from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Anderson said that during those hours, students should expect the Western Twitter account to be active and ready for comments and questions. Even if the problem cant be resolved immediately, Anderson said, it could be helpful for others if the issue is reported right away.
Tweet Western:
@WWU
4 | NeWs
Protesters young and old gathered for various causes, including ending corporate greed and ceasing U.S. military engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan. Stan Mason, a protester from Skagit County, said he marches to put pressure on the legislature to do things that are good for the American people. The 99 percent, not the 1 percent they normally do their work for,Mason said. Chants of Banks got bailed out. We got sold out, We are the 99 percent, and Power to the people could be heard at least three blocks away. Despite varying goals, the protesters united under a general sense of dissatisfaction and frustration with economic inequality and power of corporations in American politics. Western alumnus Jeff Krajewski said he returned to Bellingham to attend the protest after spending the week at the Occupy Seattle protests. The protestors are creating a sustainable community, a sustainable sort of street village that has a government structure, consensus meetings, food system, and a garbage system and its all volunteers creating it, Krajewski said about the Occupy Seattle protests. While some have referred to the protest as Occupy Bellingham, Krajewski said its not an occupation in Bellingham because protesters do not live on streets downtown. This is a key difference in Bellinghams protest ,since in larger cities, most notably New York City, the protests are a continuous occupation in which people camp out indefinitely. The stuff thats going on between corporations and our government is just ridiculous, protester Dave Nellis
Cathy Watson, 52, and Colleen MacGregor, 66, hold handmade signs outside the Bellingham Federal Building on the corner of Cornwall Avenue and Magnolia Street. More than 400 people protested on Oct. 7 in downtown Bellingham. They were protesting the growing division between the wealthiest 1 percent of the U.S. population, who control nearly 40 percent of the nations wealth, and the other 99 percent. Protesters marched from the federal building to East Holly Street, singing and holding signs. Photo by Kelly Sullivan said. Things are getting out of hand. Its getting sickening. We can toss tons of money for corporate bailouts, but we dont have money for programs like infrastructure and green jobs. Nellis went on to cite efforts by corporations to get around environmental protection laws. They cant operate, they say, Nellis said. Its just showing our outrage against some of the ridiculous stuff thats been going on lately. At about 4:35 p.m., Oct. 7, a black truck heading east on Magnolia Street revved its engine and peeled out in the intersection of Cornwall Avenue, blowing black exhaust through the crowd. The truck circled around the
block to travel north on Cornwall Avenue, but was impeded when protesters rushed into the intersection, with some lying down in front of the truck. A few protesters traded angry verbal barbs with the passenger and driver, while the majority maintained their positions in the intersection. Police helped the truck turn around and then promptly closed off Magnolia Street and Cornwall Avenue between Magnolia and Holly Street to traffic. Driver of the truck Danny Brocker said he was just driving through. Lieutenant Mike Johnston of the Bellingham Police Department said the police would respect the protesters right to protest as long as they didnt damage property or become violent. I would have preferred them to not take over the intersection because I dont want anybody to get hit by a car, but weve blocked off the roads, and as long as people behave its well within their legal rights, Johnston said. Kathleen Emmerson, owner of childrens boutique, Urchins, watched the protests in frustration from her storefront. Get your money out of their banks, Emmerson said. Put it in the local credit unions and dont use them. It just makes me feel frustrated to watch it because Im thinking its not going to make a difference to the people they are trying to reach.
ON THE WEB Photo gallery of Occupy Bellingham protest: Western Front Photo Blog @ westernfrontonline.net
I-502 addresses legal, fiscal and moral perspectives, Roberts said. It applies to everybody; it doesnt just help one group. Roberts said I-502 is different because past initiatives tried to decriminalize marijuana, whereas I-502 is trying to legalize. New Approach Campaign Director, Alison Holcomb, said its important that the initiative regulates marijuana. Given the states restrictions on marijuana, Holcomb said the initiative is as conservative as legalizing marijuana can be. Other initiatives have only sought the benefit of recreational users, wanting only to remove penalty and not impose any restrictions, Roberts said. [Selling marijuana] is a business, he said. A person in a business needs to pay taxes. Because of these differences and growing support, Roberts said he was confident I-502 would pass into law. On Sept. 17, the Washington State Democratic Central Committee voted 75-43 in favor of endorsing the initiative at a meeting in Bellingham, according to a resolution by the committee. We know [I-502] has majority support, Holcomb said. But we need to assure the nervous public this is a proposal that is well thought out and addresses our concerns about public safety and health. Martin Nickerson, owner of the Northern Cross medical marijuana
collective in Bellingham, is not so sure of marijuana. However, Nickerson said arrests I-502s chances. dont pose too big a problem in Bellingham. I believe that within 10 years, we The city police and sheriffs have will see marijuana have a chance of being been good to [our patients], Nickerson legalized, Nickerson said. But the state said. I just dont see patrolmen seem it happening for a long I dont like popping to have problems time. pills all the time. With dealing with medical Nickerson said marijuana. he is not sure how he [medical marijuana], I I-502 has feels about completely am alert enough to take diverse backing, legalizing marijuana. care of the kids and do including travel guru Northern Cross, Rick Steves and which opened April 1, what I have to do to get the second Bush 2011, runs solely on Administration's through the day. medicine donations to John McKay, who patients, is not heavily was the former U.S. advertised and does attorney for the Blenda Burcham Western district of not have a sign on the building. Medical marijuana patient Washington. It doesnt look According to like Vegas out there, New Approach, Nickerson said. We want these patients to I-502 cannot be preempted by federal law. understand theyre coming in here to get I-502 does not require anyone to medicine. They arent coming in here to get produce, process, sell or possess marijuana, street-sales marijuana. or engage in any other activity that is illegal According to New Approachs website, under federal law, New Approach states I-502 doesnt conflict with Washington on its website. medical marijuana law, since it only Although Burcham hasnt dealt with amends Washingtons Uniform Controlled arrests herself, she will be going to court Substances Act. This is the states version on Oct. 12 with her son, who was arrested of the Federal Controlled Substances Act, in Lynden for possession of medical which criminalizes marijuana use and marijuana. possession. Burchams pain started after her last In fact, I-502 gives added protection childbirth, which almost killed her. She from arrests to patients of medicinal received a blood transfusion and later
discovered she had hepatitis C. To treat her back pain, Burchams doctor prescribed Vicodin, but because of liver damage from hepatitis she could not continue to take it. As a result of these events, she no longer trusted her doctors or pharmaceutical drugs. Burcham then pursued alternative medicine, she said. I dont like popping pills all the time, Burcham said. With [medical marijuana], I am alert enough to take care of the kids and do what I have to do to get through the day. Burcham said she mostly smokes, but often uses a vaporizer and is trying to start a habit of eating the medicine instead. After reading up on the treatment option, Burcham obtained her medical marijuana card, and was then directed to the Northern Cross collective. She has been a patient there since its opening. Six months into this new treatment, Burcham said, she was happy with what she was able to do physically with minimal pain. Burcham is still on the fence about I-502. Given her sons recent arrest, she supports decriminalizing possession of medical marijuana, Burcham said, but is still skeptical about the legalization of recreational marijuana. I would like to see [I-502] pass and see that money helping out the community, Burcham said. But it wont happen when Im alive.
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teenage drinking and drunk driving. Alex Fryer, spokesman for Protect Our Communities, said the trade area exception would create a loophole for any gas station or small store to sell liquor. It would make it easier for a store to sell liquor under this loophole, Fryer said. If more stores are allowed to sell liquor, this could increase incidents of alcohol-related violence and traffic accidents. Fryer said he does not understand why the initiative is on the ballot because it is similar to the two initiatives rejected by voters last year. Voters defeated both initiatives trying to privatize liquor in the last
Illustration by Alicia Lathrop technology for liquor stores would also be out of work, he said. Most of the employees involved in liquor sales are actually in the business arm, Smith said. They dont necessarily work in the store, but they are involved in the larger business model. Smith said the current system for selling liquor is highly effective because it focuses on public safety and discourages sales to minors. Our system has no incentive to sell to minors or people who are highly drunk, Smith said. Liquor sales redistributed about $425 million in taxes last year, Smith said. He said this is an important source
of income for the state. Western junior Carly Eathorne said she voted for I-1100 last year after vacationing in California. Grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations in California can sell liquor, according to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Eathorne said it is easier to find stores that sell liquor in California than it is in Washington. She said Californias state law is convenient for customers because they can choose stores based on liquor selection and store size. It lets customers decide where they want to buy their liquor by giving them more options, Eathorne said. I think a law like this could work in Washington, too. One downside to the initiative is that it might make liquor more accessible to minors, Eathorne said. Instead of [minors] asking their friends to buy a six-pack of beer at the grocery store across the street, they could ask them to buy a fifth of vodka, Eathorne said. Support for the initiative dropped from 50 percent to 46 percent in September, according to an Elway poll. The poll found that voters against the initiative want to keep liquor within state control and are concerned that minors will have easier access to alcohol and liquor selection will decrease if it is sold in grocery stores. The initiative has the most financial support of the three initiatives on the ballot this year. Supporters raised more than $8 million for the initiative, while Protect Our Communities raised more than $7 million to encourage voters to reject it. If the initiative is passed, voters could expect to see changes in liquor sales on June 1, 2012.
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FeaTu
Above: Tattoo artist Bobbie Darezbex steps back to look at the tattoo she is working on of an intricate bird skeleton on the right leg of Western junior Thomas Hall. The entire process took close to two hours to complete. Photo by Austin Tyler Towe Right: Various inks and a razor sit scattered across Chameleon Ink tattoo artist Bobbie Darezbexs side table, along with other tools of the trade, ready for use. Artists order their supplies based on each individual tattoo appointment, so as not to overstock. Photo by Austin Tyler Towe
itting at the tracing table with dubstep music blasting, 25 Bobbie Darezbex, the only female artist at Chameleon Ink Tatto Piercing, finishes up the sketch and stencil for piercing artist Thomas H leg piece. The skeleton of a large bird quarreling with a live snake is t addition to Halls body. Despite her profession, Darezbex has no visible tattoos. Dressed in and a simple dress with big-framed glasses, she doesnt exactly adhere artist stereotypes. In the cramped space of Darezbexs studio, she and Hall, a Weste prepare for two hours of work. Wearing black, sterile gloves, Darezbex op packaged needle and assembles her gun, applying murky black ink. Are you ready for the shin? she asks. Hall grimaces as the stead of the needle begins. Changing someones life forever is something most people accomplish on in a lifetimeand usually by accident. For Darezbex, its all part of the daily Youre going to tattoo something [that will be] on your clients bo rest of their life, Darezbex said. Its a stressful job, but when I put my it and get creative, theres nothing else like it. Darezbex grew up in California. She found her artistic roots drawings and other various canvas projects as a child, and her crea continued to grow. Art is more than just a passion for her; it is ingrained in her heritage Art, especially the art of tattooing, is a part of Darezbexs Filipin Since pre-Hispanic colonization, women in Filipino tribal societies tra tattooed themselves. This was often seen as a form of beauty. Filipino women pass down the knowledge of tattooing, Darezbex s influenced me before I really knew what I wanted to do. Darezbex currently works at Chameleon Ink Tattoo & Body Piercing State St. in downtown Bellingham. Originally named Camden Chameleon, the shop used to operate o of the old train cars in Fairhaven in 1996. Five years later, in 2001, it re North State Street and adopted the new name. Daniel Barringer and his wife, Penelope, took the reins in 2008 and o shop to this day. In July 2010, new laws were enacted about health and safety regula Barringer said they already followed. The state of Washington now requires full licensing for shops an Barringer said. Also, classes on blood-borne pathogens are require artists know the risks not only to their clients, but to themselves as we Darezbex didnt always work for Chameleon Ink Tattoo. After studyin at Sonoma State University in California, she completed her tattoo appre She had worked on the West Coast, but the United States would no the only stage for her art. Shortly after working at and managing Franks Tattoo Company Piercing in Wofford Heights, Calif., Darezbex moved to Germany and w a guest artist for two months at a shop called Skin Art Tat2. I really like to travel, Darez Seeing new things and meeting new something I really enjoy. Her love of traveling brought back stateside, specifically to Skag where she lives now. Darezbex has been part of the C Ink Tattoo crew since March of this ye Though employed as the only the tattoo parlor, Darezbex said she Chameleon crew is her family. Other shops werent always as w and kind, she said. There are still shops that w women, Darezbex said. A lot of th its bad luck, or they dont want the d girls bring with them. Today, women are becoming m
ures
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Filipino culture
Illustration by Alicia Lathrop
Tattoo artist Bobbie Darezbex shares her methods to get ready to ink Eat. Focus is key, and eating helps her concentrate. Sleep. She often thinks about the piece she will be working on all day and all night. Stretch. The job is not easy on her back. Experiment with a lot of sketches. She never settles for something she doesnt like. Dance. She moves around her kitchen to relax and relieve stress.
Preparing to tattoo
n leggings e to tattoo
dy buzzing
operate the
ations that
welcoming
more and
more recognized in the tattoo industry, with fewer shops turning female applicants away simply because they are women, Darezbex said. Darezbex describes this as a touch to shops that used to laugh at aspiring female artists, despite their vast styles and artistic skill. While some tattoo artists focus on a single art form, Darezbex brings a style all her own to the table. You start out with Japanese anime, sprinkle in some Marvel Comic caricature mixed with traditional tattooing, water it with art nouveau and add metaphysical sunshine and boom, thats me! Darezbex said. In some ways, life in the shop is akin to any other job. Schedules must be adhered to, deadlines must be met and above all, customers must be satisfied. But when a client comes to Darezbex with an idea for a tattoo, the mold begins to break. From here, Darezbex said, she collects her thoughts and begins to think about the piece she will be tattooing for her client. The first thing I make sure to do is eat, Darezbex said. The last thing I want to worry about is my stomach when Im trying to concentrate on a piece. Darezbex said one of the most important things artists can do to prepare for tattooing a client is to take care of themselves. Artists usually dwell on the idea of their current project day and night, investing tons of mental and physical energy into the piece, Darezbex said. Their art will not only be permanent, but a reflection of both the artist and the client. The next step Darezbex takes, having pondered the idea and come up with multiple sketches approved by the client, is to forge a bond with them. When working with a client, above all else, my goal is to make them comfortable, Darezbex said. I like to crack a joke or two, get them to talk to me so they feel comfortable with me as their artist. Once everything has been discussed and evaluated, the actual ink-to-skin process can begin. Following the appointment itself, Darezbex offers aftercare tips to her clients. She said she also has a follow-up with them to see the healing progress of her work over time. Art has and always will be a major part of Darezbexs life. She said she loves tattooing, Tattoo artist Bobbie Darezbex applies a protective gauze bandage to Western junior Thomas Halls newly she is passionate about it, and she plans to be finished leg tattoo on Oct. 8. Bandages help protect the brand-new piece and allow the ink time to set. Photo by Austin Tyler Towe around it for the rest of her life.
Does the piece have significance? Dont get a tattoo just to have one. Decide where to place the tattoo. A tattoo is permanent. Check with family and loved ones for support. Laser tattoo removal is expensive and painful. Make sure the artist is fully licensed. Check with employers for policies on tattoos.
8 | FeaTures
Interfaith Prayer Service: 7 p.m. Oct. 28, Assumption Catholic Church, 2116 Cornwall Ave. Tabling: Oct. 31, Red Square. Womens Empowerment and Violence Education and the Mens Violence Prevention peer educators will hand out information, whistles and ribbons to students.
Thankfully, there are legal advocates at places such as the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services to help you fill out all of those forms and get out from where you are, Barton said. Numerous agencies and foundations around Whatcom County provide resources to help those affected by domestic violence, even after October is over. Westerns Crime And Sexual Assault Support Services offers a 24-hour hot line, support groups, counseling, legal assistance and other services to help students deal with abuse or criminal activity. The Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services in Bellingham also offers a 24-hour hot line, support groups and advice on legal, medical or social service issues for free. Barton used one of these hot lines to take the first step toward getting out of a cycle of abusive relationships, she said. Eventually, she became certified to help others living in unhealthy environments. I know there is a lot of anger that comes, both emotional and physical, but it can be used as energy for positive change, Barton said. That is exactly what I am trying to do.
Frontline
Opinions of The editorial Board
other chemicals, begging to be smoked legally. Using marijuana can be dangerous now precisely because it isnt regulated. Bought illegally, it can sometimes come laced with more dangerous drugs, such as cocaine. Under I-502s proposal, marijuana sales would be regulated by the Washington State Liquor Control Board, which would require sellers to obtain a license. The drug could only be distributed to adults 21 and older. Marijuana use has traditionally been associated with hippies and burnouts. Despite the stereotype, many productive, functional people enjoy a smoke as others may enjoy a drink from time to time. Famed travel show host Rick Steves has long been an advocate for legalizing the drug, pointing to countries such as the Netherlands, which has a responsible, regulated drug policy. Several respected Washington lawmakers also sponsored I-502. Perhaps most importantly, this initiative would help our states pathetic budget shortfall. Every state service seems already cut to the bone, and Gov. Chris Gregoire has announced more cuts are coming. Advocate group New Approach Washington estimates marijuana sales could bring in as much as $215 million a year in tax revenue, much of which would go toward funding Washington
OpINION | 9
Basic Health, a state-sponsored program that provides low-cost health care coverage, and Building Bridges, a state organization that helps at-risk youth. Further, the savings from trimming current enforcement costs could go toward keeping key programs afloat in Whatcom County. We also realize legalizing marijuana is a long, uphill battle. New Approach Washington says if voters approve I-502, the federal government will not have the power to overturn the decision, unlike in previous cases U.S. v. Oakland Cannabis Buyers Cooperative (2001) and Gonzales v. Raich (2005). Although we would like to believe that, we are not completely convinced. But Washington should forge ahead. Our state should lead the push for legalization at the federal level. If enough states follow suit, this will significantly strengthen that case. There is no reason to criminalize marijuana use any longer. Washington should use its time, energy and precious resources to pursue real criminals and solve real problems. The Editorial Board is Editor-in-Chief Gina Cole, Managing Editor Paige Collins and Opinion Editor Olena Rypich.
Viking Voices
Opinions from around campus
What do you think about the proposal to privatize Washington liquor sales?
Patricia Robinson senior, environmental science Its hard to say. I dont want corporations to have more power, but I also want [alcohol] to be more accessible.
Jacob Tonning freshman, English and philosophy It would lead to increased business, but would also lead to an increase in risk for minors who want to drink.
Hannah Rosenkrans sophomore, geology I think it should be monitored. [Government] shouldnt stop businesses from selling it as long as they take responsibility for that right.
Submissions policy
The Western Front publishes submitted opinion items on a space-available basis. We reserve the right to edit for length, spelling, style and grammar. Submit letters to the editor, rants and raves, Hey Yous and guest columns to westernfront.opinion@gmail.com. Word count limits Rants and raves, Hey Yous: 50 words Letters to the editor: 250 words Guest columns: 400 words
Eric Jambor junior, engineering technology I think its a good idea. Its more freedom. It works for other states, right? I dont think itll drop the price of alcohol, though.
Aysha Kloub junior, law, diversity and justice Liquor companies are going to target lowincome, working-class communities of color. So Im against it.
Compiled by Zach Sylvester
Seneca Erwin junior, psychology and Chinese Its not the states job to sell it. Its the peoples choice to buy when and where they want within reason.
10 | spOrTs
ON THE WEB
Photo gallery of the 38th annual Viking Invitational: Western Front Photo Blog @ westernfrontonline.net
Its our home course, so we have that advantage, Johnson said. It was typical conditions. A nice change from 80-degree Spokane. Western competes in the GNAC Championships next on Oct. 22, at the Apple Valley Fields Course in Yakima. If its going to have a top finish in that race, it will have to figure out a way to beat out the University of Alaska-Anchorage. Westerns conference rival placed first in both the mens and womens meet at the Viking Invitational. Alaska Anchorage ranks ahead of Western in both the regional and national rankings. The mens team is currently ranked 12th in the nation and the womens is sixth. One of the runners who looks to improve at the championships is Westerns senior co-captain Eric Brill. His long red hair is a sight to behold at meets, but Brills time of 33:42 was less dazzling, earning him 36th overall. He said he had a less strenuous workout the week before the home meet than he did the previous week. He said he expects to do better once the conference championships come around. Brill hinted the disappointing finish might force him to make cosmetic changes. I think Ill cut my hair, Brill said. It doesnt look like Ive ever ran well with long hair. Brill is the teams top remaining finisher from the NCAA Division II National Championships last season. He placed 80th at nationals in 32:23.8. While many on the Vikings teams were pleased to have the opportunity to race at home in front of friends and family, Western coach Pee Wee Halsell made his vision clear. He said the home meet was primarily for preparing the team for postseason play. We still have a ways to go, Halsell said. But were moving in the right direction.
Mens cross-country runner Tyler Cannon, No. 382, runs in the lead pack during the 38th Annual Western Invitational on Oct. 8 at Lake Padden. Cannon placed sixth in the mens 10,000-meter race and first on the team. Photo by Lillian Furlong
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Mens cross-country runner Dak Riek runs in the 38th Annual Viking Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 8, at Lake Padden. Riek placed 12th in 32 minutes and 14.2 seconds. Photo by Lillian Furlong
War is crazy. Life is life, though, and sometimes life is not fair.
Dak Riek Western mens cross-country runner
Then someone said, Hey, you should try out for running. I was not very good at first. I could not even run a mile when I started. These minor setbacks did not discourage Riek, who describes himself as competitive. If you do something and you want to be the best, you have to work for it, Riek said. Riek did the work. During his time at Mariner High School in Everett, Riek became one of the top runners in the state. On June 1, 2007, Riek ran 9 minutes 14.18 seconds in the 3200 meter and placed first in the Brooks Meet of Champions. He continued his success in college, running for the Community Colleges of Spokane. In 2009, he placed first in both the 5,000 and 10,000 at the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges Track and Field Championships. Riek was truly coming into his own. Unfortunately, in life, things do not always go as planned. Riek suffered a knee injury while attending Spokane Community College, and had to take an indefinite break from running. I hurt it when I was running, Riek said. I knew something was wrong, but I told myself to keep running and finish, not to quit. As Riek rehabilitated his injured knee, he finished his associates degree at Spokane. Riek said sitting out was hard because he wanted to compete, but he knew he had to work on getting his knee stronger. Finding Western Meanwhile, Western and its track and cross-country coach Pee Wee Halsell were waiting.
12 | spOrTs
Western (9-4, 7-2) doesnt have at least a share of the top spot in the GNAC for the first time this season. The Vikings will play Seattle Pacific againnext time at home on Nov. 3. Photo gallery: Western at Seattle Pacific Western Front Photo Blog @ westernfrontonline.net each finished with a 16-2 conference record. The Vikings have a chance to redeem themselves later this season. They face Seattle Pacific again at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, this time on their home court. Our biggest goal is to play to our potential, Erickson said. We have been practicing hard lately and working on playing to the best of our ability. Outside hitter Marlayna Geary hits the ball over the net in the third set against Seattle Pacific University on Oct. 8, at Seattle Pacific. Western lost 3-2 despite Gearys 17 kills and 22 digs. Photo by Lillian Furlong