Staff picks the best holiday films

Get in the spirit of the season with

festive movies suggested by the
Wheel staff. ›› pg. 3
This newspaper, like many other things, is recyclable.

December 14, 2010 - Volume 78, Issue 7

thewheel-scu.tumblr.com
St. Catherine University student newspaper

Activism in action
• Twin Cities anti-war organizer visits SCU campus
By Devon Arndt
staff writer
 At 7:00 a.m. on Sept. 24, the Federal Bureau
of Investigation (FBI) raided the homes of six
peace and international solidarity activists in
Minneapolis, Minn. and two in Chicago, Ill.,
seizing computers, cell phones, CDs, files, and
papers. They left behind subpoenas ordering
the activists to testify at a secret grand jury
on Oct. 5  about the political opinions of
others in the peace movement.
According to the warrant, the FBI agents
were seeking evidence of ties to “foreign
terrorist organizations.” The federal law cited
in the search warrant prohibits “providing
material support or resources to designated
foreign terrorist organizations.”
Meredith Aby, one of the activists targeted
by the FBI investigation, came to St. Catherine
University (SCU) on Dec. 2 to share her
story with students and faculty. Aby, one
of the founders of the Twin Cities Anti-War
Committee, has been a peace activist since
1995. She has traveled on human rights
delegations to locations like Colombia
and Palestine to meet with activists and
community members.
 On Sept. 24, Aby was issued a subpoena
to testify to a grand jury that explicitly stated
that the prosecutor wanted her to testify
about the meetings she had with activists
in Palestine and Colombia. The prosecutor
requested names of each contact, something
Aby was unwilling to provide. She refused
to betray the activists’ confidences and, in
her view, put their lives in danger just to
comply with the FBI.
“I am not willing to name names of what
activists think in these war-torn countries or
to name names of who thinks what in the
anti-war movement.   This whole process
“I am not willing to
name names of what
activists think in these
war-torn countries...”
—Meredith Aby
just reeks of McCarthy-ism to me,” Aby said.
SCU’s social justice coordinator, Ned
Moore, has participated in similar peace
delegations.
“It’s hard for me to imagine being in [Aby’s]
situation, but I think her story is a sobering
reminder that the path to social justice can
be very difficult at times,” Moore said.
On Oct. 5, all the activists were subpoenaed,
pleaded the fifth, and chose not to testify.  By
refusing to testify, they put themselves
at risk of going to jail.  The next legal
step is in the hands of the Department
of Justice.  So far, three activists from
the Twin Cities are being re-subpoened
and many more are concerned that they
will be jailed indefinitely if they refuse to
testify. On Dec. 2, three more subpeonas
were issued to activists in Chicago.
Aby also mentioned that the Supreme
Court ruled last summer that supporting
a “terrorist” group is not limited to
supplying weaponry and financial
support.
The activists, along with Aby, believe
the FBI is targeting them as a test case to
see how widely this law can be applied
to groups whose opinions counter the Meredith Aby, a peace activist
interests of the government.  Aby hopes
that people will get motivated by hearing
subpoenaed to testify against her fellow
organizers, spoke about the issue on
their stories and take action out of concern
for all rights – not just those of individual
campus. Photo by Dana Bloomquist
activists.  
First-year student Revalon Wesson agrees.
around the country and have organized
protests and national call-in days to let elected
Wesson first heard Meredith Aby speak
at the School of Americas Protest in Nov.
officials know that they are responsible for
defending civil liberties.
Wesson was surprised when she discovered
that Aby was being targeted for her anti-
“This case certainly hits close to home.  What
happened to Meredith could happen to
war protests. others in our community.  Rather than be
“She put herself out there as an opponent discouraged or fearful, now more than ever we
to the use of military weapons, making her need to come together to continue building
a target to the government. I feel like the a more peaceful and just world,” Moore said.
FBI wants an excuse to make her (and the To learn more about the raids or to sign
other activists) stop their work, so they an online petition encouraging government
are accusing them of terroristic activity,” officials to stop FBI repression, visit www.
Wesson said. stopfbi.net.
Since the Sept. raids, the activists have
been working to inform the public about Devon can be reached at
the issue. They have held speaking events dvarndt@stkate.edu.

Animal
advocates
• SCU club pushes for
cage-free eggs
By Milan Wilson-Robinson
staff writer
The student-led organization Advocating
for Animals concentrates on the rights
of animals and is currently leading a call
for cage-free eggs (eggs from farms that
do not keep the hens in a cage) in the St.
Catherine University (SCU) dining room.
“What we do is promote the welfare of
animals,” Chelsea Jones-Thomas, president

May I have this dance?

• SCU celebrates 8th annual Charity Ball
By Rachel Armstrong
sections editor
St. Catherine University’s (SCU) 8th annual Charity Ball
was held on Dec. 10. This year, entertainment was provided
by Dueling Pianos group Crazy Keys. There was dancing,
a photo booth, hors d’oeuvres, prizes, and a silent auction.
Proceeds from the event were given to Sarah’s...an Oasis for
Women, a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph that supports
women seeking housing, community, and safety.
For SCU community members, the Charity Ball provides
a fun way to become aware and involved in one of the
ministries that the Sisters of St. Joseph provide.
“Sarah’s is the organization that we donate all of the
funds raised from Charity Ball to each year,” Cristie Young,
a senior at SCU and one of the organizers of the event,
said. “Sarah’s is a great place that offers women transitional
housing.”
Young hopes students enjoyed the festivities this year, and
Top Left: Students and their guests danced the night away to live took the time to celebrate the end of the semseter.
music provided by Crazy Keys. “After a long couple of weeks of papers and final tests,
Top Right: Ballgoers could enjoy a wide selection of refreshments The Charity Ball is a great way [for students] to leave the
between trips to the auction or dance floor. stress behind, put finals in the back of their minds, and
Bottom Left: The ball was organized by members of the St. Kate’s dance the night away,” Young said.
Activities Team (SKAT). Photos by Dana Bloomquist
Rachel can be reached at rmarmstrong@stkate.edu.
of Advocating for Animals, said. “The main
purpose of this club is to work for the benefit
of animals to the best of our ability.”
The club plans to educate the SCU
community on the maltreatment of animals
in the food industry, and is working to
eliminate that mistreatment through
volunteer work, fundraising, informational
events, and other projects.
“We believe that it is okay to use an
animal’s products, such as meat, eggs,
dairy, etc., but it is not okay to treat the
animal with disrespect [in order] to use
those products,” Jones-Thomas said.
The club believes this organization is
essential to the SCU community because
their focus on animal welfare connects with
See ANIMALS, pg. 2
Photo by Dana Bloomquist
2 | The Wheel NEWS & OPINION
Theory to action: ANIMALS continued...
SCU’s Catholic and ethical
Can’t stop won’t teachings.
Even Pope Benedict XVI
stop; politics beyond has taken an opposing
s t a n ce o n t h e p o o r
treatment of animals.
academia “In reference to the
inhumane treatment of
By Elissa Johnson animals, Pope Benedict
political columnist has said, ‘This degrading
of living creatures to a
commodity seems to me
The end of another semester is upon us. I can’t imagine that I’m the only one shocked in fact to contradict the
to look at my planner and realize it’s mid-December. Quite a lot has happened politically relationship of mutuality
in the last four months. that comes across in the
We’ve seen Glenn Beck and his rally to “restore honor” countered by John Stewart and Bible.’ Furthermore, [SCU]
Steven Colbert’s rally to “restore sanity,” solidifying popular media’s involvement in shaping is a school of social justice,
the nation’s political opinions, for better or for worse. and animal welfare is a
A tight Minnesota governor’s race hinted at a shameful disparity between Minnesotans form of social justice for
who speak of voting and those who actually do. animals,” Jones-Thomas
To Democratic chagrin, Republicans swept November elections. To Republican chagrin, said.
Democrats aren’t backing down easily. The development of the
Issues of social and moral significance gained attention as well. By that I mean the gays club began when Jones-
got a lot of press, and rightfully so. Pushes toward legalizing civil unions and gay marriage Thomas responded to
came closer than ever before and even passed in some places (like my home state, Illinois.); a Kateway posting for a
Clinton-era “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was deemed unconstitutional by a number of state meeting involving people
courts and is closer to being overturned altogether than ever before. concerned about animal
This is only the tip of the headline iceberg you may or may not have caught throughout welfare.
this whirlwind of a semester but, don’t fear! You have been awarded time to catch up on all “A group of faculty members were
things of national importance, also known as winter break. Here’s a little sampling of the interested in getting the SCU dining room
things you might think about following with all of your newly acquired free time: to only use cage-free eggs...Upon emailing
Even with an 8,000 vote deficit in the recount, Tom Emmer wouldn’t back down. The a faculty member, Briggs Rolfsrud, and
recounting of votes in the Minnesota governor’s election débuted Democratic Governor discussing what the group intended to do
Elect, Mark Dayton, with the same lead he had the first time, a close one. It’ll be interesting and wanted to achieve, we came up with
to see how this highly anticipated DFL leadership will affect social, environmental, and the conclusion that a club on campus would
otherwise “liberal” legislation that has been effectively stamped out over the last few years be a wonderful idea,” Jones-Thomas said.   be found on Facebook.
by T-Paw.  The organization plans to use tabling,
Mr. President, it seems, can do no right. By extending Bush-era tax cuts to all income presentations, and a petition to garner
levels, including the extremely wealthy, the Democrats feel like President Obama has
A Letter to the Student Body
completely betrayed his standards, his party, and the average American family. Apparently,
likening the Republicans to “hostage takers” in the address announcing the extension was
not enough to appease the other side of the aisle. To be fair, compromise always feels better
when you’re the one getting more of what you want. Perhaps the Democrats are the one’s By Nelum Madanayake
who need to take a step back. With the economy still in a slump, even after a supposed senate president
upturn, taxes will influence spending, unemployment benefits and the job market, the
only question is, “how?” Dear Students,
Though a lift was supported by over half of polled active duty military personnel, multiple Where did this semester go? Seriously, finals
state courts, independent justices, countless non-governmental organizations and its newest are here! The due dates that were thought to be
ally, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was affirmed by so far off are on top of us. How did this happen?
the Supreme Court. This was the closest the Clinton-era policy that unabashedly denies What this also means is that Senate’s first
rights and benefits to individuals because of their sexual orientation and their families came term of the academic year is coming to a close,
in years to being abolished. My thoughts and hopes will be focused on safety and education and we are starting to take a look at what we’ve
in the coming years that it could take to get another motion to the floor. done so far this year and what we will be doing
If none of these political happenings pique your interest, try this: read a newspaper. Even next semester.
the home-town one left on your family’s kitchen table. The nice thing about breaks is that So what have we been up to? To begin, we
you can read whatever you want. Why not make it something that’ll give you some insight started the year with an extremely successful
into what’s going on around you? You’ll impress your professors when you come back in election. Over 15% of the undergraduate student
February and, trust me, if you want to justify to your parents why they pay for a private body voted using our online ballot, which was
college, get caught reading the New York Times online. Stay informed. Be opinionated. incredible! Once we had our new board together,
Have a great break. we began with discussing the new tobacco ban
on campus. This was a hot topic among some
Elissa can be reached at ejjohnson@stkate.edu. students, and Senate brought in Amy Kelley
and Laura Goodman in response to concerns.
Both of these conversations were videotaped
ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY WHEEL STAFF and broad casted on our university television
channel, as all Senate meetings are normally.
Volume 78, Issue 7 Furthermore, in response to issues surrounding
food and nutrition on campus, Senate brought in
Editor-in-Chief: TREZA ROSADO the now retired Webster Peterson to a meeting to
Layout Designer: SARAH WENTE talk about dining services and suggested certain
Sections Editor: RACHEL ARMSTRONG changes, many of which were implemented.
Photo Editor: DANA BLOOMQUIST For example, the Pulse’s hours of operation
Adviser: SHEILA ELDRED changed dramatically after his discussion with
Senior Staff Writers: JORDYN ARNDT, LYDIA FASTELAND, CLAIRE DA- the Residence Hall Association and the Senate.
In total, we have hosted eight guest speakers
VIDSON, ELISSA JOHNSON
at our meetings this semester, including vice
Staff Writers: CAITLIN SNODGRASS, DEVON ARNDT, MILAN WILSON- president Brian Bruess, chief financial officer
ROBINSON, HANNAH FRANCE, MAGGIE WEISS, ESTHER MOSS Tom Rooney, Jim Manship, director of facilities.
Photographers: DANA BLOOMQUIST This has allowed us to work to bridge the gap
Cartoonist: KATHERINE CURTIS between students and the administration and
If you would like to write for The Wheel, please contact us at make sure the student voice is being heard.
wheel@stkate.edu. However, what we do at our meetings is only
a small part of our role on and off campus.
MISSION STATEMENT This semester, we have networked with other
private colleges around the state including the
The Wheel aspires to reflect the diversity and unique atmosphere that College of St. Benedict and Hamline University.
comprises St. Catherine University. We strive to provide an inclusive The Senate has worked with the Grad Student
newspaper primarily for the students and by the students. The Wheel Advisory Board to create a “Memorial Grove”
promotes the vision of empowering women to lead and influence by Dew Drop Pond with trees in memory of
as well as an understanding of the university community inside and the four students who passed away last year.
outside of the gates. As a staff we aim to meet the highest journal- Furthermore, the Senate is working on an
istic standards and stand in accordance with the 1st Amendment of annual service project and an outdoor bench on
campus in Henrietta Schmoll Raeunhorst’s name.
the Constitution of the United States of America and policies of prior
Senate members have attended administrative
restraint. The Wheel is not a public relations vehicle for any SCU indi- meetings this semester, including University
vidual, group, department or for the college as a whole. We welcome Council and Minnesota Association of Private
feedback and encourage an open discourse. The Wheel is supported by College Students Board. Our Environmental
student funds and is distributed free of charge. Committee also has organized the SCU President’s
Climate Committee meetings, a huge project
December 14, 2010
additional campus support for getting
cage-free eggs on campus.
Students interested in joining Advocating
for Animals can contact Chelsea Jones-
Thomas at cejonesthomas@stkate.edu.
The club meets every two to three weeks
on Tuesdays at noon. The group can also
Milan can be reached at mcwilsonrobinson@stkate.edu.
that focuses on our campus’ sustainability.
Our financial committee on Senate has also
been hard at work to make the budgeting
and funding process easier for students. The
committee is continually calling for “capital”
funding proposals, which means proposals for
funding for permanent fixtures. Our diversity
committee on Senate has hosted campus-
wide workshops and events, most recently
co-hosting a “Cornbread and Chili Night”
with the Multicultural and International
Programs office.
In looking towards next semester, our external
committee is gearing up for our annual Day at the
Capital lobby day. We have also begun organizing
a Lunch with the Administration event, where
students can sit down with administrative staff
and have a casual, laid-back conversation. Our
environmental committee will be continuing
its work to eliminate plastic water bottles
on campus, and our organizational affairs
committee will continue its work chartering
campus clubs. In addition, the Senate’s strong
partnership with the St. Kate’s Activities Team
(SKAT) will be key next semester as SKAT hosts
their annual Dew Drop Bop.
Furthermore, questions regarding public
safety and parking have prompted Senate to
form a public safety task force. This group will
begin to meet next semester and will work with
public safety to address concerns and educate
students. More information about this task
force will be available in February.
On a more personal note, between Senate
meetings and individual conversations with
constituents, I’ve learned so much about being
a leader of an organization. I suppose that’s the
point of this job, but it’s amazing how much of
a learning curve has taken place over the last
few months. I thank each and every Senate
member for bearing with me through this
learning process.
It has been an honor to work with Senate this
semester, and to be among a group of strong
women who want to be leaders on campus.
Furthermore, it has been an honor to serve you
as the student Senate president thus far, and
I will humbly continue to work hard to make
this community the place you want it to be.
Never forget that your comments, opinions,
and ideas are what motivate the Senate. We are
your government, here to serve you, and we
are students just like you. Use us as a resource,
and know that your voice, the student voice,
is our greatest asset.
Nelum can be reached at ngmadanayake@stkate.edu.
December 14, 2010 NEWS & OPINION
Breaking down walls: ‘Tis the
Combat consumerism season
with charitable • Wheel staffers share their
donations favorite holiday films
Compiled by Rachel Arm-
strong, submitted by the
Wheel staff
By Jordyn Arndt Since I plan to spend my entire holiday
international columnist break sitting on the couch and eating my
mother’s sugar cookies, I decided to ask our
staff to reccommend some of their favorite
During the holiday season, checking people off of your shopping list is a top priority.  While holiday movies to keep me entertained.
Black Friday has passed, the consumer-driven atmosphere of the holidays has not.  Aggressive Usually, I spend my break watching and
advertising campaigns and enticing sales attempt to persuade customers to spend money.  The re-watching the Harry Potter movies, not
holidays are a critical time for retail and, as former President Bush reminded us in his 2006 becasue wizards and magic remind me
particularly of the holiday season, but
speech on the overall economy, “A recent report on retail sales shows a strong beginning to because there is always a heart-warming
the holiday shopping season across the country – and I encourage you all to go shopping scene of young Harry getting presents for
more.” the first time, or Hagrid lugging a tree across
Ahh, yes.  There is nothing quite like snowflakes falling, holiday lights glistening, and the grounds of Hogwarts, or Hedwig flying
frenzied shoppers racking up credit card expenditures on gifts for their friends, family, and over the snow-wreathed castle.
coworkers at local shopping centers.  The gifts that will be opened with such anticipation But I figured this year I’d check in with
are often cast aside in later months as we become entranced with the next new trend in our staff to see if I could diversify my usual
holiday movie choices and share the joy
beauty, fashion, electronics, or home goods.  The need to consume never ceases as new
with our readers.
products are put on the market.   have to be “Edward Scissorhands.”
Oh, how I love the holidays. • Jordyn Arndt (Senior Staff Writer):
Sarcasm aside, the true meaning of the holidays is not about engaging in massive My f avo r i t e h o l i d ay m ov i e
consumption in an effort to demonstrate your appreciation for individuals through the i s “A C h r i s t m a s S t o r y ” t h a t
process of gift-giving.  Whether you celebrate the myriad of holidays that fall during the was produced in 1983.
winter months or not, the holidays are about spending time with loved ones.  The greatest “A Christmas Story”depicts the 1940’s,
a bygone era in American history, in a
gift that you can give is your time and affection.  Commercial gift-giving merely attempts
charming and funny manner. Although
to attach a monetary value to the meaning of a relationship, an impossible feat indeed. the ascribed gender roles of the parents
Alas, what does an individual give to someone who has it all?  Why not divert your are grating at times, the movie shows
financial support to someone who has next-to-nothing in terms of financial wealth?  A a relatively positive and endearing side
donation or purchase that supports a charitable organization could bring a unique and of American popular culture. I have
altruistic touch to your typical holiday gift exchange. seen the movie several times but still
In a world in which one-third of the population controls two-thirds of the world’s watch at least a couple of scenes during
resources, it only seems fair that we give back during the holidays.  According to a study the twenty-four hour “A Christmas
Story” marathon on television.
conducted in 2006 entitled Global Inequality: What it is and Why it Matters? by Branko
Milanovic, a lead economist at the World Bank: “The ratio between the average income • Anna Ruhland (Staff Writer):
received by the richest five percent and poorest five percent of the people in the world is Any Rankin Bass cartoon, mainly due
165 to one.  The richest people earn in about 48 hours as much as the poorest people in to nostalgia. These are the holiday movies
the world earn in a year.”   of my childhood as well as my mother’s
These bleak statics could lead a holiday shopper to dispair.  What could one holiday childhood. They have that timeless
purchase possibly do?  While a charitable donation or purchase will not change the world, christmas feeling of contentment.
it certainly will make a positive difference in someone’s life.
• Lydia Fasteland (Health Columnist):
My charity of choice is Heifer International.  Heifer International is dedicated to helping “White Christmas.” It is a classic
communities obtain sustainable sources of food and income.  By donating money towards movie with Bing Crosby and Danny
the purchase of livestock, gift-givers enable donation recipients to use the wool of their Kaye, who are a hilarious comedy
sheep, milk of their goat, or fleece from their llama to improve the livelihood and well-being duo. The music from this film is so
of their families and communities.  Heifer International is only one example of a worthy versatile,that it can be sung all year
charitable organization that would benefit from financial support during the holiday season long (which I do!). Great movie for
anyone who loves classic moviemaking!
and year-round. I intend to purchase a goat, a flock of geese, and a share of a camel this
holiday season for my loved ones. • Katherine Curtis (Cartoonist):
        Regardless of your passions, there are many charitable organizations around the world “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
addressing issues pertaining to education, hunger, health, environment, and disaster relief.  A Not only is it a totally ‘90s movie, but
quick Google search will yield infinite results. If you cannot decide on which organization it’s artistically amazing, fun, and easy
to support for that special someone, why not get them a Charity Choice Donation Gift to watch, and it incorporates both
Card that would enable them to select their own initiatives to support?   Halloween and Christmas... you get
One last word of advice: research charities before you donate in order to ensure that the best of both worlds!
your money is going to the right place.  Revel in the holiday spirit by giving to those less • Jessica Jones (Photog rapher,
fortunate who are less concerned with the latest gadget, and more concerned with where S t a f f W r i t e r ) :
they will find their next meal.   Will Vinton’s“Claymation Christmas.”
Happy socially conscious gift-giving, and let there be peace and justice on earth! It was a tradition to watch and I love
it because it’s an amazing mixture
Jordyn can be reached at jearndt@stkate.edu. of simple and classic holiday songs
synced to cute and fun characters.
The Wheel | 3
• Sarah Hollows (Staff
Wr i t e r, G u e s t C o l u m n i s t ) :
“Scrooged,” starring Bill Murray.
If you still need to know why after
you see the name Bill Murray then
I have nothing more to say to you
and we probably have very different
movie tastes... also, you’re probably
a hum bug. Happy freakin’ holidays!
• Clara Johnson (Staff Writer):
“Jack Frost” from 1996 would
have to be my favorite. I remember
when this movie came out, and the
cover of this VHS was a holographic
picture of a snowman that turned
evil as you moved from left to right.
To say the least, it terrified me. But,
when I finally watched this film (in
its translated German form, no less),
it revealed to me all its campy, stupid
horror gloriousness. You will never
see a snowman the same way again.
• De von Ar ndt (Staff Wr iter):
“It’s a Wonderful Life” is my favorite
holiday film. It is a classic story
that never gets old. Jimmy Stewart
is also one of my favorite actors.
• Claire Davidson (Music Columnist):
My favorite holiday movie would
Aside from the fact that it stars
Johnny Depp, I think it’s one of Tim
Burton’s best films, with a strong
message about being whole heartedly
individual and kind all year round.
• Ma g g i e We i s ( S t a f f Wr i t e r ) :
“A Charlie Brown Christmas.” I
love how everyone from different
generations and families can relate to
the story and the characters themselves.
It’s one of those movies that the
whole family can watch. Plus, I love
Linus’ monologue at the end; it’s
the best line in the whole movie.
• Tréza Rosado (Editor-in-Chief ):
“The Lord of the Rings” series.
It used to be released every year in
mid-December and that was pretty
much a holiday in and of itself.
Middle Earth, like the North Pole,
has elves and a kindly old man with
a long white beard. Also, Aragorn.
• Sarah Wente (Layout Editor):
I love “The Santa Clause” with Tim
Allen. I used to watch a T.V. show with
him on it all the time, so when I learned
he was in a Christmas movie, I had
to see it. It’s such a great tale of belief
and the mystery and love of Christmas.
Every time I watch the film, I want
to eat cookies, drink hot chocolate,
and pretend I’m at the North Pole.
• Dana Bloomquist (Photo Editor):
Last year I watched the “It’s Always
Sunny in Philadelphia” Christmas
special a lot. My whole family sat down
to watch it (this is a feat in and of
itself) and laughed out loud the whole
time. Plus the bizzare and twisted
family dynamics in the show make my
family feel more optimisitc about ours.
Rachel can be reached at
rmarmstrong@stkate.edu.
4 | The Wheel
Holiday gift guides
• Gift ideas for a college
budget
Compiled by Hannah France
and Maggie Weiss
As college students, we hardly have time
to go to the mall when there are finals that
need to be studied for, papers to write, and
concerts and performances to prepare for.
Plus, let’s not forget the air that takes up a
majority of our wallets. But there is a way
to make the holiday season magical for
everyone on your list, even if you are on
a tight budget:
1) For the movie buff, the blockbuster
“Inception” was recently released on Dec. 7
for $16.99 at Target. Or, if vampires are what
your loved one desires, “The Twilight Saga:
Eclipse” could be a great stocking stuffer for
$15.96 at Wal-Mart.
However, if your buddy is more into
classics, the DVD release of “The Princess
Bride” will only cost you $9.96 at Wal-Mart.
Be prepared to pay more for movies on
Blu-Ray.
2) If there’s someone on your list who spends
a large amount of time in the kitchen, a new
set of pots and pans could be an ideal gift. If
you don’t want to be fancy, most basic sets
cost around $20 at many local retail centers.
If your friend already has a good set, try
getting new cooking utensils. Having to
A retro-minimalist dish set can do the double-duty of providing
your friend with a practical and stylish gift while providing you
with an actual surface to eat on instead of the paper towel plate
you try to construct every time you’re over.
Want your femme friend to show off your gift? Nail polish is
a great option for her if you can wade through the surplus of
shades that adequately match her wardrobe.
FEATURES
rent from the school is not only a hassle,
but there is always a chance that the front
desk may not have what you are looking for.
3) There are also those friends who love
music, from Techno and Hip-Hop, to Rock
and Country. A CD by their favorite band
or artist is always a good place to start.
Taylor Swift’s new album “Speak Now” and
Keith Urban’s new album “Get Closer” are
both available at Best Buy for $9.99 each.
4) The bookworm on your holiday shopping
list could appreciate a book from the best-selling
“Millennium Trilogy,” which is comprised of
the books “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,”
“The Girl Who Played with Fire,” and “The
Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest.” On
Amazon.com, the books individually cost
no more than $15 and orders over $25 ship
for free.
5) For your artist friend, a brand new
sketchbook or art set is perfect for under
the tree. You can find them at an art store,
office supply, or retail center for differing
prices dependent on quality. A Harry Potter-
themed poster sketchbook costs just $12 at
Barnes & Noble.
6) The “glamour girls” can be the toughest
to buy for because of their love for unique
flair, which can get expensive. But fear not:
Wal-Mart is full of holiday deals, especially
on make-up kits, which start at around five
Be a one-of-a
kind giver
Not sure what new album your friend would like best?
How about gifting some sweet headphones instead?
Thinking creatively often provides a unique opportunity
for more memorable, and less stressful, gift giving.
Tired of waiting
to get a turn
at DragonAge:
Origins? Grab
your friend an
extra controller Moleskine-style notebooks make for simple,
to level-up your versatile, and elegant gifts. They have a wide
joint gaming fun. variety of uses and come in plenty of styles,
sizes, and colors.
dollars each and
include at least
ten pieces.
At Target, you
can buy perfume
samples for as little as one dollar and Lip
Smacker products, as well as other make-
up gifts, are often on sale this time of year.
On a bigger budget you can create a
manicure/pedicure basket, which includes
nail polish, nail files, toe separators, and a
hand/foot scrub.
7) On a tight budget, gifts for video gamers
can be difficult to swing. A great idea is to
buy an Xbox 360 game card, which starts at
$10. Another gift idea is the deal Blizzard
Company has in time for the new expansion
for World of Warcraft. Buy the gamer in
your life the first three expansions of World
of Warcraft for only $20 to prepare them for
the newest expansion, Cataclysm.
As a final note, be sure to double check
prices at all stores you visit; some prices
may vary depending on region or type of
store. If you see an alternate item that you
think someone will love, check the price
and recalculate your budget if you plan
on purchasing it. With these shopping
tips and recommendations, you can find
something for everyone on your list.
Hannah can be reached at hefrance@stkate.edu.
Maggie can be reached at maweiss@stkate.edu.
December 14, 2010
Film review:
“127 Minutes”
• Chronicling the
survival instinct
By Hannah France
staff writer
Picture a desert. Beautiful red rocks and
smooth canyon walls surround you and
the sun sits on the horizon. Do you see
it? Is it beautiful?
Now imagine that a rock is pinning your
arm to the wall of a gap you fell into. Do
you feel that pain? Well Aron Ralston,
protagonist of the film 127 Hours, sure did.
This film is the true survival story of Aron
Ralston, who survived for 127 hours in the
desert with his arm caught between a boulder
and a rock wall.
The concept of the survival story, though
intriguing in theory, was not something I
was looking forward to spending an hour
and a half of my life devoted to. Watching
someone trapped in a desert isn’t exactly the
thriller of the year.
However, I was surprised to find the film
intellectually compelling, as it explores Aron’s
psyche while he is trapped.
Instead of providing backround about
Aron’s life at the beginning of the film, while
he is trapped he has flashbacks to explain
what the audience didn’t know previously
about his past. The flashbacks feature his past
romantic interest, his family, and memories
of his childhood exploring the desert with
his father.
Aron also had a camera with him while
he was trapped and recorded video clips
saying goodbye. He also shot clips purely
for himself. It was a clever way to shoot the
film because it prevented the bulk of the
movie, that being Aron trapped behind the
boulder, from getting slow and monotonous.
A word of warning, however: this film is
not for the weak of stomach. You wouldn’t
think it from the previews, but there is quite
a bit of blood. In the story, Aron escapes
by cutting his arm off and walking until he
found other hikers; this part of the story
is not left out in the film. It was the most
difficult part of the movie to watch; people
around me were holding their arms and
cringing.
Despite all the blood, the film features
beautiful shots of the desert. The rocks and
the canyons make you wish you were there-
just away from all those falling rocks.
The shots in the beginning of the film
show Aron biking through the rocks. Three
simultaneous shots of this were shown on
screen, alternating and transitioning to speed
the opening along.
But what really made the movie was
James Franco, who portrayed Aron. It’s
rough to play deep, emotional roles but
Franco made it look easy. He brought an
element of grace to the role, which not
many actors can effectively pull off. He was
engaging, fun to watch, and kept the movie
rolling so there was never a dull moment.
Hannah can be reached at
hefrance@stkate.edu.
December 14, 2010
“Why am I still protesting this?”
• Students Anna Ruhland and Eileen Riley reflect on the movement to close the
School of the Americas/WHINSEC
TW: Was this you first time attending the
School of the Americas (SOA) vigil? If
not, why did you decide to attend again?
ER: A couple of things drew me back to
the gates of Fort Benning. First of all, I
think one thing that is very important in
social justice movements is endurance. I
think people have this flare when they
first hear of a movement, then once the
information settles in their mind, it seems
less shocking. Social justice is something
that requires perseverance. This semester
has been harder than any other thus far in
my college experience. For the first time
since hearing about the trip, I considered
staying home and trying to finally catch
up in my course work. The consideration
was brief. I decided that this problem--
this issue which results in millions of lives
lost--was far more important than what I
would be giving up.
Another reason I felt I needed to go is
to illustrate to those I leave behind just
how big the issue is. When discussing the
School of the Americas, I find so many
people (mainly my parents) telling me to
write a letter to my congressman. While
Losing steam?
• Why the SOA move-
ment needs to expand
By Esther Moss
staff writer
It may seem odd that I did not attend the
protest to close the SOA/Western Hemisphere
Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC)
this year. I stayed in chilly Minnesota and
voiced my discontent at a small vigil and panel
organized by Celeste’s Dream, a ministry of
the Sisters of St. Joseph.
I felt a little guilty until I saw that our
local extension of the protest was attended
by several high school students who
stood awkwardly on the edge of our vigil
ceremony on the Lake Street Bridge. These
new-comers seemed uncomfortable next
to the radical nuns and long-haired men
holding crosses that bore the names of
victims of SOA/WHINSEC murders. However,
their presence was the affirmation I needed
for not participating in the main protest.
The problem with the Fort Benning
protest is that its participants are highly
self-selecting. How many corporate CEOs
from Minn. would willingly spend 24 hours
traveling south on a crowded bus only to
spend their weekend surrounded by stinky,
hairy hippies and social justice junkies all
for the sake of countries and people who
are most likely exploited by the businesses
those CEOs represent? Zero.
However, I think some of the mothers
and fathers of the well-dressed Catholic
students who attended our small vigil
and discussion might well be the kind of
powerful CEOs who are normally excluded
from the protest to close the SOA/WHINSEC.
Maybe those students went home and
For more information about
the School of the Americas,
including facts about the SOA
program, opportunities to pro-
test, and additional resources,
visit the SOA Watch website at
http://www.soaw.org/news.
FEATURES
letters are sometimes appropriate, how
much more significant is a gathering of
10,000 people? How strong are words
on paper compared to telling someone I
spent 48 hours on a bus for 30 hours of
activity? Never once have I told someone
about my bus experience and not had
them ask “But why did you put yourself
through that?” When I talk about the
SOA, people understand that it is a Very
Bad Thing...when I tell them about my
experience, it becomes a Very Bad Thing
that affects me personally, and as such,
something that me and other individuals
can and are changing.
While those are two strong reasons
why I felt I must attend again, the reason
I became interested will continue to be
my driving force. I will never be able
to understand the injustice, and I will
never be able to sit back and watch an
opportunity to try to end it float by me.
TW: What part of the experience made
the greatest impact on you? Why?
AR: This [time] around I was more
involved in the SOA compared to previous
planted a seed of consciousness in their
parent’s minds that wouldn’t have been
possible had people like myself decided
not to bring the movement to Minn. I’m
generalizing here, but the point is that I
think that the movement, although it is
already quite diverse, would do itself a favor
by further expanding its target audience.
Moving the protest to Washington, D.C.,
would be one way to do this.
Having voiced my critique of the protest to
close the SOA/WHINSEC, I must acknowledge
that the protest as it is meets three very
important needs.
First, it provides a catharsis for people like
myself who feel huge amounts of guilt on
behalf of US imperialism and militarism. A
strong communal cry can help us move on
to activism that combats the systems that
we find so disheartening.
Second, the protest and vigil are rare
spaces that lift up the stories and voices of
los pueblos who have suffered for centuries
and who continue to be marginalized.
Third, the protest is indeed a consciousness-
raising event for those who manage to
make it down to Georgia without a prior
understanding of what they came to protest.
I was such a protester my first year; I have
since declared a Latin American Studies
major, spent a year studying abroad in
Latin America, and in general have become
an insufferable know-it-all any time Latin
America is mentioned in a conversation.
The Georgia protest and vigil are important,
but they’re not perfect. It’s time for the
energy in the movement to close the SOA/
WHINSEC to be spread throughout the
country. Perhaps sprouting new growth from
the subversive roots that have surely grown
around the nation would bring the School of
the Americas closer to its long-awaited end.
Esther can be reached at
ebmoss@stkate.edu.
years. I took part in the puppetista parade
by marching and playing the drums with
fellow protestors. It was so powerful
to be in the midst of it all, playing the
drums, surrounded by colorful puppets
and personalities. The SOA is such a
whirlwind of emotions and being involved
in one of the finales impacted me quite a
bit.
ER: Every year, the part of the vigil that
hits me is when the names are being
sung. There is always a section in which
“Child, age unknown” is sung over and
over and over again. I have tried to count,
and never can keep track as I hold up my
cross and sing “Presente”. Thinking of the
sea of children is something that always
has a profound affect on me, and is the
experience during the weekend that starts
my tears.
This year, a new aspect was added
to the weekend that hit me harder
than usual. A friend planned an act of
civil disobedience in the form of traffic
blocking. She ended up being convicted
of four felonies. Many others were
arrested as well: some for crossing onto
Demanding accountability
• Why the SOA protests
still matter
By Esther Moss
staff writer
If the protest to close SOA/WHINSEC had
half the press of Lollapalooza or even Lillith
Fair, the mix of aging hippies, college-aged
hipster, young parents and habited nuns
might finally be able to put down their
crosses and go home.
However, the School of the Americas/
WHINSEC remains open and busloads
of protesters arrive at the entrance to Fort
Benning , Georgia every November to state
their opposition to the continued operation
of a military training facility funded by U.S.
tax dollars.
Why do more than 20,000 people attend a
weekend full of speeches, songs, processions,
dancing, drumming, crying and puppetry
every year? Originally established in Panama,
the SOA/WHINSEC consists of training
programs that teach Latin American soldiers
how to silence government dissidents.
The process is simple and familiar. U.S.
politicians and corporations want to control
Latin American natural resources for economic
reasons (check the country of origin of the
next Dole banana you buy). The easiest way
to do this is to promote governments that
welcome US companies and economic policy.
Maintaining the kinds of governments that
bend to U.S. corporate will is not easy, and
communities who are treated inhumanely tend
to react violently (Google search Zapatistas
or Sandinista Revolution).
To solve this problem, the United States
created its very own “school” to make sure
its puppets in Central and South America
are at least well armed. Thousands of soldiers
and military commanders returned to their
home countries and proceeded to do exactly
what they were taught to do: rape, murder,
extort, torture and terrorize.
Today, the Cold War is over and free trade
policies let U.S. companies economically
exploit their southern neighbors.
The Wheel | 5
the base, some for organizing without
a permit, yet some for taking pictures,
jaywalking, or even for trying to leave
the chaos of a hungry police brigade.
They were seen by the toughest judge
in the area, and were convicted of bogus
offenses. The entire experience showed
me that the people who keep the SOA
operational are wrong; they are doing
everything they can to stamp out a
movement that peacefully demands
justice for all. For that alone, I know I will
be back next year.
Why, then, is it necessary for a military
training facility to continue injecting Latin
American soldiers with U.S. military rhetoric
and techniques, then send them back home?
More importantly, why hasn’t the U.S.
government admitted responsibility in
training many of the worst human rights
violators in history (Google search “El Mozote
massacre”)? Why do framed portraits of
those murderers hang in SOA/WHINSEC’s
hall of fame?
The simple answer is because the movement
to close the SOA/WHINSEC has been, thus
far, unsuccessful. The military responds to
the movement by pointing to the fact that
the school now teaches human rights courses
and has changed its name to WHINSEC.
However, as Roy Bourgeois, founder of the
movement to close the school says, “new
name, same shame.”
In my opinion, the issue at this point
is impunity. The U.S. government has yet
to apologize for or even admit its role in
the massacres of entire villages in Latin
America. The argument that graduates of
the SOA/WHINSEC were simply promoting
democracy or protecting the United States
from Communist rebels doesn’t hold water
in these cases.
Graduates of the SOA slaughtered children.
Killing a child, whether he or she would
have grown up to be a communist or not,
is never just. A school that trained soldiers
to kill children must at least admit partial
responsibility.
The fact that many soldiers who passed
through the gates of the SOA did not commit
human rights abuses is overshadowed by
men such as Roberto D’Abuisson (an El
Salvadoran politician) and Hugo Banzer (a
Bolivian dictator) who are both graduates of
the SOA/WHINSEC and some of the worst
human rights abusers in history. Men like
D’Abuisson, who was known as “Blowtorch
Bob” because of his preferred methods of
torture, are not a coincidence.
Esther can be reached at
ebmoss@stkate.edu.
6 | The Wheel FEATURES December 14, 2010

2010 Music Review:

The good, the bad, and the unbearable.
10 KILLER SINGLES: Top ALBUMS:
Truth - Alexander Ebert Tighten Up - The Black Keys 1. “Teen Dream” - Beach House
T: This isn’t an officially released track T: The whistling, the time change, the This comes with a healthy helping of passionate debate, but I believe Beach House put
but it’s still my favorite single of this year. old-school charm--this first single off the out a better album than Arcade Fire this year and I am ready to entertain all manner of
Ebert, better known as the frontman duo’s “Brothers” record was definitely an dissenters. “Teen Dream” (not to be confused with that Katy Perry atrocity) has not left
of Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic effective advertisement for a truly great my car stereo since it dropped in early 2010. The album is so good, as a whole, that I
Zeros, sounds here like something out album. can’t pinpoint a favorite track--is it Victoria Legrand’s sweeping vocals on“Norway?” Is
of a spaghetti Western. Singing about it the orchestral melody of “Mile Stereo?” Is it the bittersweet promise of “Take Care?”
forgiveness and betrayal over the catchiest F*** You - Cee-lo It’s impossible to decide. The entire album segues so seamlessly from track to track that
melody this side of “Whip My Hair,” the T: According to some, this track came I can’t imagine separating one from the rest; it would feel like a perversion of something
track is irrepressible, right down to the too late to save the lackluster summer of absolutely perfect.
collage of muted horns at the end. 2010. However, it came just in time to
make everyone’s Best Of list. Cee-lo does So, apologies to Win Butler and company, but second-best album of 2010 will have
Rill Rill - Sleigh Bells here what he does best: pairing his soulful to suffice.
T: Love them or loathe them for their falsetto with a throwback beat in a cross
mix of garish percussion and feather-light between a parody and an homage to R&B 2. The Suburbs - Arcade Fire
vocals, this track by hipster duo, Sleigh of old. Although this album doesn’t possess the dark brilliance of “Funeral,” it comes closer
Bells, is infectious and then some. to that achievement than anything the Canadian group has released since. The album
Crystalized - The xx plunges headlong into suburban nostalgia, lamenting the passage of youth while decry-
Little Lion Man - Mumford and Sons C: This breathy, rhythmic hipster anthem ing the sprawl and expansion of modern life and its attendant monotony. “The Sub-
C: The most powerful single off an was the most provocative single of the urbs” manages to pull together some of the band’s greatest tracks, none more-so than
already triumphant album. Mumford year. the title track itself. The song includes some of the most poignant lyrics that lead singer
and Sons attempt poetic lyrics and folk T: The innuendo and all-around sex Win Butler has ever penned while delivering a melody that’s so good it feels like you’ve
harmony and pull them both off with appeal of this track basically epitomizes known it for years. While “The Suburbs” isn’t perfect, it’s still a musical and thematic
endearing honesty. The xx. feat--a perfect album for our imperfect times.
T: One of my favorite tracks off one of
my favorite albums of this year. Mumford Lust for Life - Girls 3. The xx - the xx
managed to be everywhere at once by the C: “Oh I wish I had a sun tan, I wish I had You’ve probably heard a lot about a little band called The xx--a British phenomenon
end of 2010 and it’s mostly thanks to the a pizza and a bottle of wine.” Don’t you that brings together sparse beats, sexy harmonies, and come-hither lyrics that would
raw sincerity of this track. too? Girls get it right with this undeniably make your parents blush if they paid close enough attention. Basically The xx is an
catchy punk-alt hit. indie buzz band that somewhat improbably became indie headliners in the space of 12
Cameras - Matt & Kim months. And for good reason. Their debut album contains one irresistible beat after
T: It’s hard to choose which single from Everywhere I Go - Lissie another and enough bass to permanently damage your speakers. Don’t listen to The xx
the duo’s latest release, “Sidewalks,” is C: Hauntingly beautiful and evocative. because every cool-kid blogger is telling you to; listen to The xx because your life needs
the best single. As “Cameras” was the A must-have from an artist sure to be an infusion of suave.
first, we’ll go with it. Catchy, danceable, around for Best Of lists of the future.
unabashedly fun, it’s a track that pays 4. The National - High Violet
tribute to all the reasons we listen to Matt Formed in Brooklyn in the late 90s, The National are no newcomers to the music scene.
& Kim in the first place. But their latest release “High Violet” is a noticeably raw departure from previous albums.
I’ve long been a fan of The National’s grungy, detached vocals which paradoxically end
Round & Round - Ariel Pink’s Haunted Other Notables: up creating tracks rich with sentiment. “High Violet” takes post-grunge-nostalgia to a
Graffiti Rhinestone Eyes - Gorillaz whole new level with tracks like “Conversation 16” which contains the lyrics: “When
T: Don’t ever see this guy live. Seriously, Helicopter - Deerhunter I said what I said/I didn’t mean anything.” The reductive, minimalist lyrics and the
it’s the strangest and most awkward thing Teenage Dream - Glee Cast cover of Katy semi-gothic keyboards and guitars blend together to somehow create songs drenched in
you’ll probably ever experience. That Perry feeling. A must have for long-time fans and new listeners of the group.
said, this track is bizarre, haunting, and Ambling Alp - Yeasayer
ultimately wonderful. The repetition of Dog Days Are Over - Florence + the 5. Eyelid Movies - Phantogram
the chorus at the end is glorious enough Machine My favorite musical discovery of the year. Comprised of guitarist Joshua Carter and
to warrant repeat listens. vocalist Sarah Barthel, Phantogram is unlike anything you’ve ever heard, mixed with
a dash of Portishead. Their first full length release, “Eyelid Movies”, is a texturally rich
musical tapestry of divine electro-rock. Their fusion of the alternative and psychedelic
on the single “Mouthful of Diamonds” is ethereal and profound, leaving little room for
Artists and Singles That We Never Need to Hear From Again comparison. “You’ve got a mouthful of diamonds/and a pocketful of secrets/I know
you’re never telling anyone/because the patterns they control your mind.”
-Ke$ha
How is this woman still around? Who is buying her records? Why, for the love 6. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Kanye West
of all that is holy, does she substitute the ‘s’ in her name with a dollar sign? A marked departure from 808s and heartbreaks, Kanye’s newest album: “My Beautiful
These are just a few nagging questions we have about this train wreck of an Dark Twisted Fantasy” is just that: beautifully twisted. For all the media speculation that
entertainer. West is egocentric and uncensored, West himself is relentless in his awareness of both his
famous persona and the culture that feeds off of it. Standouts are of course “Runaway,”
-Taylor Swift and “Power” but each track on the album is its own unique reflection of West’s cre-
Perpetuating the myth of Prince Charming and perfect chastity is nothing new. ative process. My personal favorite, “Blame Game” is an eloquent testament to modern
But T. Swift’s popularity concerns us primarily because teenage girls seem to keep relationships. John Legend lends his vocals to this track, adding to the melodrama of
falling for the same vanilla mediocrity over and over again. Girls: You can do the album that seems appropriate as it avoids common cliches and charts new territory
better than that guy you’re pining over and, more importantly, you can do better across all genres of music. I’d argue this is West’s bravest work yet.
than this oddly vacuous 20 year-old.
7. Thank Me Later - Drake
-Hey Soul Sister - Train Let’s be honest: I have an inappropriate amount of love for this man (the artist formerly
It’s not just that it’s everywhere; that is too-often the complaint about Top 20 pop known as Jimmy on “Degrassi”). Maybe this album was not a masterpiece on the level
music. It’s that it’s a bad song: ill-fitting lyrics, an ill-fitting key for Monohan’s of Lil’ Wayne’s “Tha Carter III” or Jay-Z’s “The Blueprint.” I’m not here to argue that
voice, and the egregious misuse of a ukelele. What was so wrong with the “Drops Drake’s the best rapper in the game. But “Thank Me Later” is brash and confessional,
of Jupiter” era? cocky and sincere. You’ve got a kid spitting rhymes about the lonely downside of the
fame, money, and women so often touted by his peers. I’m not always in the mood to
-California Gurls - Katy Perry hear about the “game” and its players; Drake provides enough variety on his official
We’re not sure which is worse--the video or the song itself--but either way, this debut to satisfy cravings for sick beats and introspective lines. Plus, listeners get a peek
track was probably the worst thing that could happen to radio this summer. at phenom Nicki Minaj, whose guest verses annihilate everyone in range.
Everything from the absurd generalizations about our West Coast sisters to the
completely unnecessary misspelling of the word “girls” makes us die inside. Slowly. 8. All We Grow - S. Carey
Very painfully. This one time, Bon Iver’s unassuming drummer decided to put out the year’s most
unassuming record. And then it was brilliant. “All We Grow” is an album full of quiet
-Baby - Justin Bieber meditation carefully crafted for maximum impact with minimal fanfare. It’s a stunning
The only reason we don’t find Justin Bieber’s entire career insulting is because the collection of tracks that builds in its own lush way--perfect for a snowy afternoon and a
boy can actually sing and, let’s face it, he has really great hair. But this song takes cup of hot cocoa.
advantage of our kindness with its grating chorus. Justin, less “oohing” and less
Auto-tune please--stick with what got you famous (on YouTube!) in the first place. Compiled by Tréza Rosado (Editor-in-Chief) and Claire Davidson (Music Columnist).
Tréza can be reached at tjrosado@stkate.edu and
Claire can be reached at cedavidson@stkate.edu.
December 14, 2010 HEALTH The Wheel | 7

A picture of Condom
in the German-language “Light of the World”
which mght be considered controversial.
“There may be a basis in the case of some

health: Diffusing controversy

individuals, as perhaps when a male prostitute
uses a condom, where this can be a first step
in the direction of a moralization, a first

holiday tension • Pope revises position assumption of responsibility, on the way

on condoms
By Caitlin Snodgrass
By Lydia Fasteland staff writer
health columnist The Roman Catholic Church has always
been in a unique societal position. Revered
The typical image of holiday activities revolves around being with family; on T.V., you see by millions worldwide, it has been viewed
happy families sitting around the table, enjoying each other’s company. However, reality as a champion of the traditional virtues to
which Catholics typically adhere. It has
does not always conform to that idea. Many of my family events have ended with someone also safeguarded one of its best-kept secrets:
in tears or relatives strorming from the room. Tensions run high during gift opening, Catholic social teaching.
dinner, and dessert. Here are a few techniques that I have learned over the last few years While maintaining traditions can be
on how to survive the holidays without wanting to disown your loved ones. seen as prolonging a stifling an antiquated
representation, its proponents cite the Church’s
Do not purposefully start on sensitive topics that will cause discord among family duty to adhere to dogma and preserve
members. This is simple. For example, if you know that there are two people in the room the centuries-old identity of Catholicism.
who disagree about politics, do not bring it up. Sensitive issues, especially politics or Catholicism’s social teaching paradigm,
however, is what many non-Catholics--
religious beliefs, can cause a lot of problems at a family get-together. If others start on the
particularly at institutions like St. Kate’s--
issues, do not be afraid to stand up and say that this is an inappropriate conversation topic. find appealing about the Catholic faith. The
By heading off sensitive topics early, you can alleviate developing tension and hopefully Church has only recently begun to acknowledge
bring the conversation back to more appropriate topics. Catholic social teaching in the public sphere,
and it has come into considerable controversy
Be willing to remove yourself from a situation, even if there are objections from loved with Pope Benedict XVI’s recent statements
ones. I find the best way for me to clear my head during the holidays is to leave the to the German interviewer Peter Seewald,
situation that is causing me to become emotionally unstable. Family get-togethers, while published as a set of interviews in the book
fun and highly entertaining, can also cause emotions to run high. I cannot tell you how “Light of the World.”
The interviews concerned the future of
many times I have been driven to tears by attending certain family obligations. If a family the Catholic Church and gave Pope Benedict
argument occurs between you and another person, leave the room and cool down, despite an opportunity to give the Church more
what others might say. If you can calm yourself down before you get too worked up, you contemporary relevance among its critics.
Such critics often deride the Church on the
could potentially resolve the issue before something drastic happens. However, if not, do
basis of its views on contraception; they
it to prevent ruining the get-together for everybody else. do not deplore Catholic support for sexual
Try not to hold grudges. Going into an emotionally charged situation, like a family get- responsibility, which can be inhibited by
together, with a grudge just adds more stress to an already stressful day. Holding a grudge birth control, but they do demand a more
ethical approach to the disease-prevention
takes more energy that it is worth. It makes you tense up, as if you are ready to pounce on aspects of condom use.
the offending person should they even attempt to make eye contact with you. You go into In the past, the papacy has heavily criticized
the situation preparing yourself for a fight; by holding the grudge, you are almost wishing any condom use.While Pope John Paul
that the other person will start something so that you can prove your point. By letting go II declined to make any statements, Pope
Benedict XVI initially criticized the use of
of a grudge, you can let go of your anger and try to enjoy the time spent with loved ones condoms for HIV/
instead of being on edge. AIDS prevention in
The stress of being with your family always seems to heighten during the holiday season; the developing world,
particularly in Africa.
it’s part of life. However, do not add to the stress of the holidays with family arguments or
“HIV/AIDS is a
grudges. Let go of your anger and your aggression and focus on just being around people tragedy that cannot
you love. Don’t let stress get you down; enjoy your family. After all, it’s what the holidays be overcome through
are all about. the distribution of
con dom s , w h i ch
can even increase
Lydia can be reached at lbfasteland@stkate.edu. the problem” the
pope said in 2009.
Howe ver, he has
recently acknowledged
toward recovering an awareness that not
everything is allowed and that one cannot
do whatever one wants.”
This, according to the pope and those
close to him, including Cardinal Burke of
the Vatican’s supreme court, represents no
change in overall Catholic attitude, but is
instead an application of the condom for
disease-prevention rather than procreation.
Already, though, St. Catherine University
(SCU) students feel like these statements
represent a shift toward a more socially
relevant Church, one that is giving a nod
to reality.
“I’m glad that the Catholic Church is finally
recognizing the use of protective measures,
as well as recognizing that people...ought
to protect themselves when and if they do
[have sex]” sophomore Lindsay Roloff said.
Whereas older, more traditional Catholics
may believe that advocating condom use
will increase promiscuity, SCU students
feel that encouraging condom use is simply
common sense and the ethical course in
disease prevention.
“Condoms are beneficial to the sexual health
of populations where disease and unwanted
pregnancies are common. Hopefully by
accepting condoms for at least one use, the
pope will see that they’re beneficial in all
cases,” first-year Tia Lauve said.
Although conflict abounds on this particular
issue, showing the tension between traditional
Catholic values and Catholic social teaching,
only further comments from Pope Benedict
XVI will show whether the Vatican is actually
advocating progressive beliefs. However, it
seems improbable that the papacy will condone
condom use beyond disease prevention at
this time.
Caitlin can be reached at
cmsnodgrass@stkate.edu.

Ask Katie: but especially when a woman is pregnant.

There is no amount of alcohol consumption
that is “safe” to drink during pregnancy so
the expedient that
condoms can be in
preventing disease,
Condom use remains controversial in the Catholic Church.
More garlic, that a developing fetus won’t get FAS, but
prevalence of the disorder is associated with
heavier amounts of drinking, especially
mentioning one
particular example
Photo by Dana Bloomquist

please binge drinking (drinking large amounts

• The Ask Katie! peer health
advisers answer your health-
related questions
Compiled by Dana Bloomquist
What are the signs of fetal alcohol
syndrome? How much does a mother
have to drink for her child to get it?
Fetal alcohol syndrome, or FAS, is the
name for a lifelong condition caused when
an individual’s mother drinks alcohol while
pregnant. FAS occurs because alcohol is a
substance that can cross the barrier of the
placenta (the sac that holds a fetus during
pregnancy). Alcohol can affect a fetus’s
normal development in the womb. FAS is
often associated with a variety of physical
and mental characteristics. Some of these
include delayed growth early in life, especially
of muscles; slow development of speech,
thinking, movement, or social skills; heart
defects; and characteristic facial features
such as a small head, small upper jaw, thin
lips, and small eyes.
Drinking alcohol in general can be harmful,
of alcohol in one sitting). There is also no
one period of pregnancy when it is “safe” to
drink alcohol, but prevalence of FAS is also
associated with drinking in the first three
months of pregnancy.
For more information on FAS and the risks
of alcohol consumption during pregnancy,
visit the FAS page on health.google.com or
birthdefects.org.
What is “douching”? Is it bad for you?
Douching is the practice of cleaning your
vagina by flushing it with water and often
soap. Nowadays, douching is believed to be
unhealthy and is not usually recommended
by health care practitioners. Traditionally,
women chose to douche for one of a number
of reasons: to clean out vaginal blood from
menstruation, to prevent STI’s, to reduce
vaginal odor, and to treat yeast infections.
But it turns out that douching for most of
these reasons really doesn’t do what it is
“supposed” to do.
Douching regularly strips the vagina of its
natural bacteria that prevent infections, so
douching can actually make you more prone
to infections. The only safe and healthy way
to clean the vagina is to let it clean itself:
vaginas naturally produce mucus that cleans
out foreign bacteria. If you want to cleanse
down there, use water or mild soap around,
but not inside, the vagina. Products that
claim to clean the vagina or cover up its odor
aren’t necessary to keep the vagina clean.
And one last tip: if you are going to the
doctor, absolutely don’t douche before the
appointment: douching will wash out vaginal
discharge that will enable your doctor to make
a diagnosis of a problem if you have one.
To read up more on douching, check out
womenshealth.about.com or medicinenet.com
What are the health benefits of garlic?
This common household cooking ingredient
has several more uses than just spicing up
your dinner. Surprisingly, garlic has been
noted to have a wide array of health benefits.
Take a look at some of these benefits (listed
below), and consider upping your garlic
intake to 1-2 medium cloves of garlic per
day to achieve most of them.
Colds: One of the most common ailments
garlic has been believed to treat is the cold.
Studies have shown that garlic extract improves
immune function, giving our natural defense
system a boost.
Infection: Since 1858, garlic has also been
known for its anti-bacterial properties. At this
time Louis Pasteur discovered that bacterial
cells died when they were saturated with
garlic. Other cases of it being used as an
antibiotic in history include during World
War II, when British doctors used it to treat
those wounded in battle.
Garlic is known to have not only antibacterial
but antiviral and antifungal abilities as well.
It is effective against intestinal parasites,
recurrent yeast infections and the growth
candida albicans is slowed by garlic.
Pregnancy: Garlic supplementation may
help weight gain for fetuses that may be at risk
for low birth weight. A particular study also
found that the chance of other at-birth risk
factors could be reduced with the mother’s
increase garlic intake, such as pre-eclampsia,
which is associated with hypertension.
Learn more about garlic’s health benefits
online at garlic-central.com.
Please note that the Ask Katie! advisers
are not trained medical professionals;
contact your health care provider with
immediate questions or concerns.
Do you have a question you want
answered? Look for the Ask Katie!
stalls in your residence hall or email
healthwellness@st.kate.edu.
8 | The Wheel
Gear up!
• A skiing and boarding equipment
guide
By Tréza Rosado
editor-in-chief
After two winter storms in less than one
month, this ski season is shaping up to be a
major improvement over last year. Although
the descriptors reserved for skiing in the
Midwest are typically some variation on
“icy,” true die-hards hit the modest slopes
every December anyway.
For the families of skiers and snowboarders,
it can be difficult to understand the skiing
compulsion and it can be even more difficult
to break down the jargon around equipment
reviews when it comes to picking out everything
from big-ticket items to stocking stuffers.
Fortunately, as an avid skier and boarder,
I’ve got some helpful tips on the best gadgets
and equipment of this year.
JACKETS:
The Extravagant: Ride Sodo 259.95
If you know me, you know I love plaid.
And expensive things. For you dreamers
out there, check out this Ride Sodo jacket
Grab yourself a pair of wool socks
before hitting the slopes...but
maybe don’t knit them yourself.
Kinect
yourself
• Xbox 360 revolution-
izes the game
By Caitlin Snodgrass
staff writer
Since the beginning of home video games
and the invention of the detachable controller,
our radical, virtual innovations have never
transcended this basic framework: a square
console featuring a game stored on either
a cartridge or a disc, with one or more
controllers which can be added or subtracted
at will, and which allow for play.   Gibson said.
This simple format has been the tool of
gamers since the 1977 release of the Magnavox
Odyssey 3000.  Thousands of games have
since been released for such bestselling
systems as the Sony Playstation.  The newest
innovation in virtual gaming, however, with
anticipation and enthusiasm to rival that of
the relsease of the Nintendo Wii in 2006, is
the Xbox Kinect.
The premise of the Kinect is clear and
simple: the gamer is the controller.  The
Kinect achieves this by absorbing each player’s
movements and recognizing individual body
composition. The ideal experience occurs at
a distance of approximately six to eight feet
from the device.  No other components but
the Xbox and the Kinect are required since
all of the players’ movements are registered
byt the device and used to manipulate the
on-screen action; multiple players can
participate and are individually recognized
as separate players.   can interact with various jungle animals, to
SPORTS
w h i ch c a n
be yours for
a cool $259.
With snow flying fast, chairlifts are unlikely to remain empty for long.
The More
Reasonable:
Burton Restricted Cholo 199.95
It looks like flannel and it feels like flannel looks like when your bottoms look this good?
but it’s actually two-layer coated flannel-
like fabric that wll keep you warm, dry, and
hipster all at the same time.
The Relatively Affordable: Women’s
Promenade Pixie from Columbia for $145.00 the-calf ski socks with extra padding at the
The always-reliable Columbia offers this shin and heel; racing boots are notoriously
affordable, high-performance, insulated unforgiving when it comes to flex. In
shell for $145.00 It’s a practical but stylish general, ski boots are stiff, cold, and wildly
alternative to some of the more obscenely uncomfortable--a solid pair of socks can
priced options out there.
PANTS:
The Extravagant: Burton 2L Hemisphere
Pant $229.95
These pants will set you or your loved ones
back considerably but you can rest in the
satisfaction that they come with a lifetime
warranty. Furthermore, they look more like
classy wool slacks than bulky snowboard
pants...which counts for a lot when everyone
else looks awkward and you look great.
The More Reasonable: Volcom V-Co
Engineered Skinny Pant $190.00
It was only a matter of time before the
skinny-jean craze hit the skiing world and
this pant is the blissful offspring of that
union. Treat yourself to a season of looking
fine, regardless of your skill level.
The Relatively Affordable: Oakley Women’s
Karing Pant $100.00
Think of it this way, you invest in these
pants and you’re never going to be lost in
a blizzard or avalanche. Granted, this teal
pair of pants will not match any of the jacket
All necessary motions for the games are
done realistically. For example, when I tested
the Kinect at the Microsoft Store (in the
Mall of America), I experienced the sensitive
game-play through bowling.  To begin, I
raised both hands so that the sensor would
recognize me and I selected my ball through
a downward swipe with either my left or
right hand.  Once “holding” my bowling ball,
I followed through just like in a real game,
releasing the ball for a strike when my hand
was nearest the sensor.   the sensor bar actually registered any signal.  be on Dec. 18 at 3:00 p.m. in the Butler Center.
Jade Gibson, who tested the Kinect with
me, found this controller-less game to be
much more appealing than sports games
available for the Wii.
“I often have trouble holding controllers
because I don’t have enough hand strength...
The Kinect is a great way to stay active
and is perfect for every type of player,”
Not only does it simulate sports accurately,
but the Kinect can also simulate the health
benefits derived from actual exercise.  Despite
being virtual, sports and dance games force each
player to make the exact movements shown
on the screen in order to play successfully;
unlike with the Wii, it is not easy to avoid
moving.  You can’t play bowling just by waving
a remote and, unlike the Wii, fitness is not
just encouraged by one game.    Not only does it
From the first moments of play, each gamer
is required to move.  Games simply do not
work without bodily movement since there is
no controller, which allows the Kinect to be
a great form of exercise and entertainment
at the same time.  Thus, bowling is not only
realistic, but actual exercise as well.
You too can experience bowling in Kinect
Sports, one of 17 titles currently available for
the Kinect.  They range from “Kinectimals”,
a voice-and-motion game in which players
options above, but who cares what your top
ACCESSORIES:
SmartWool PhD Performance Sock (Ski
Racer) 20.95
As a former racer, I’m partial to these above-
save you a world of hurt.
DC Jora Beanie $25.00
Don’t underestimate a good beanie; helmet
hair is one of the least attractive post-skiing
looks (aside from goggle-tan).
POW Royal Mitt $70.00
Mittens trump gloves every time and the
bitter Minnesota cold only supports that
argument. This mitten is my dream mitten:
goatskin leather and micro-fleece interior
coupled with a minimalist retro design.
However, the POW is definitely not a budget
item. For a mitten friendlier to the college
lifestyle, try a pair of REI Down mittens.
They’re currently on sale for $29.99.
Burton Bullet Tool Rat-a-tat-tat $17.95
This is a fantastic stocking stuffer for the
boarder in your life--great for small binding
adjustments before and after hitting the slopes.
Treza can reached at tjrosado@stkate.edu.
For more photos and links, visit the-
wheel-scu.tumblr.com.
“Fighters Uncaged”, a cage-fighting game which
is played by landibg actual punches.  While the
variety of titles is certainly not as wide as that
of the Wii, the early titles and responsiveness
give it much more potential, in my opinion,
than Nintendo’s current console.  
 The Wii can often be difficult to play due
to the size of its sensor and the problems
associated with positioning it correctly; it
may take players weeks--as it did me--to
figure out how to point the Wii Remote so
The Kinect is much simpler.  No controller
is required, so the sensitive device can
accurately display the correct movement, or
at least the one which the player intended.  
Whereas the Wii
can distance players
from their games by
placing a controller
between them and
the action.
“I think the Xbox
Kinect is actually
kind of cool. It helps
the person interact
with the game better
than just having a
controller,” Maya
Ntim said.
respond well, the
system is relatively
inexpensive, with a
bundle (including
t h e Ki n e c t a n d
the Xbox console) The new Xbox Kinect system provides a video game experi-
costing $299 at ence unlike any other. Photo submitted by Caitlin Snodgrass.
the Microsoft
Store.  Despite having few titles thus far,
and for having been on the market only one
month, I strongly recommend the Xbox Kinect
as a fun, creative video game experience.
December 14, 2010
Ready
to rally
• SCU Basketball looks
to finish strong
By Rachel Armstrong
sections editor
The St. Catherine University (SCU) basketball
team’s 2010 season, which began on Nov.
19, has been full of ups and downs. The
team began the season with wins against
Central College, Hamline University, and
Carleton College and losses against Wesleyan
University, the College of St. Benedict, and
Macalaster College.
For head basketball coach Gary Rufsvold,
the team’s win against Central College was
an important start to the season.
“[The Central game] was great, especially
because everyone played.  We do not have a
JV this season so that was important to play
everyone and win and score a lot of points,”
Rufsvold said.
The SCU basketball team won 87-56,
shooting  61 percent from the field in their
31-point route of Central. Senior Laura
Kalbfell scored 22 points and got 10 rebounds
during the game.
Kalbfell, who has played basketball since
second grade, was excited to see the team
off to a strong start.
“I have always known that we are a strong
team and that the successes we will have
this season will be tremendous strides
for the program. We have a lot of talent
and hardworking attitudes on this team,”
Kalbfell said.
The team faced some challenges in the pre-
season, as well as the first few weeks of play.
“It had been a slow start with various
problems and injury.  At one point of time
all our three seniors were out for sickness
or injury,” Rufsvold said.
“Overall this season we have improved so
much since day one of practice. To prepare, we
have to make sure we are in shape and know
our opponent” junior Megan Zillmer said.
The team recently won games against
Hamline University and Carleton College,
and Kalbfell is looking forward to continuing
this run.
“My goal for our team is to go to the
championship game and play every game
in between as hard as we possibly can,”
Kalbfell said.
Rufsvold hopes Kalbfell will help lead the
team there this season.
“Laura Kalbfell will score her 1000th point
in her fourth game of her third season at
SCU.  She could break the school scoring
record in three years and will go down as
the best player in St. Kate’s history,” Rufsvold
predicted.
The SCU basketball team’s next game will
Rachel can be reached at
rmarmstrong@stkate.edu.
Caitlin can be reached at
cmsnodgrass@stkate.edu.