Volume 9, Issue 1 | September, 2011

REVIEW
A JOURNAL OF THOUGHT & OPINION

THE PURDUE

The special election in New Yorks 9th congressional district may be a direct referendum against the Obama Administration. Has the Yes We Can attitude shriveled up?

GOP Victory in a Blue NY District

THE SOCIAL SECURITY DEBACLE

Purdue gets an updated mascot. Lets take a look at the history behind the Boilermaker Special pg 10

Campus

Ford: An inside perspective into an American company that stands on its own and sticks to its core values pg 12

Business

pg. 3
Where is Social Security heading? We take a closer look at its alleged Ponzi scheme nature. AttackWatch.com: A New Breed of Mockery | pg 4

Culture

The Legend of Zelda game series lives on pg 16

An Obama opposition tracking website has become the object of ridicule nationwide

September, 2011

The Purdue Review

www.purduereview.com

REVIEW
Morgan Ikerd, Editor-in-Chief Kristin Patras, Publisher

T H E

P U R D U E

Letter From The Editor

Greetings,

Tom Chew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Managing Editor Aaron Anspaugh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Features Editor Andrew Nguyen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Layout Editor Dirk Schmidt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Publisher Bobby Egan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Staff Writer Andrew Brunni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Staff Writer Michael Keefer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Staff Writer Ian Wang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Staff Writer Neil Thakkar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Staff Writer Andrew Lovitt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Staff Writer Lindsay Devlin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Staff Writer Schuyler DeArmond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Staff Writer Jacob Galsworthy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Guest Writer Michael Gardner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Copy Editor

We a Po Thank you for picking up the Purdue Reviews first issue of the Fall 2011 semester as well as rity my first issue as Editor-in-Chief. The Purdue Review was founded in January 2006 with the goal of providing a more conservative and libertarian voice to both the Purdue campus and to r Greater Lafayette community. We are very proud to be continuing that legacy today.
Our articles are composed by students who feel passionate about the issues affecting our lives, whether it occurs on our very own campus or in the Capital building of Washington DC. We strive to bring these matters to the forefront and get people thinking about and challenging what goes on in the political realm. The Purdue Review is more than just a newspaper; it is a journal that focuses on the deeper analysis of important issues rather than spouting out the latest headlines. We are the future of America and it doesnt take being an elected government official to have the ability to make a change. Grassroots movements have had incredible impacts throughout history. If you want to see a dime of your Social Security when you retire, be able to speak your mind freely about our Presidents policies, and put a stop to the exponential growth and power of our nations government: speak up! That is exactly what we strive to do at the Purdue Review and I hope that you enjoy our publication. Thank you for reading! Best, Morgan Ikerd Editor-in-Chief

Board of Directors: Nathan Arnold, Chair

Chase Slaughter, Adam Rusch, Jeff Schultz, David Bridges, Jan Payne, Vicki Burch

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The Purdue Review is looking for staff writers, columnists, photographers, section editors, copy editors, layout editors, full time media specialists, graphic designers, and web designers. If youre interested in joining The Purdue Review, please contact the Editor-in-Chief, Morgan Ikerd, at [email protected].

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The Purdue Review is funded completely by donations and advertisements. We receive no funding from Purdue University, the Republican Party, or any political organization for that matter. Without the generous donations from readers like you, The Purdue Review would not exist. If you are interested in supporting The Purdue Review and our cause, please consider making a financial donation. Donations can be mailed or made online. Checks should be made out to The Purdue Review, Inc.. Mail subscriptions are free and can be ordered on our website or by contacting the Publisher.

Mission Statement: Disclaimer:

The editorial staff at The Purdue Review will utilize the medium of print to entertain, educate and enlighten the student body at Purdue University as well as the entire Greater Lafayette community. The views expressed within these pages are the views held expressly by each respective writer. The opinions of these writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of any of the other writers in this publication nor by Purdue University. This paper is not directly affiliated with Purdue University; however, the staff is comprised entirely of Purdue students. This paper is distributed by the University Conservative Action Network (U-CAN), a registered Student Organization. The first copy of this issue is free, at distribution sites. For additional copies, contact the Publisher, Kristin Patras, at [email protected].

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Review

The Purdue Review

September, 2011

The Social Security Debacle

By TOM CHEW Texas Governor and Presidential Candidate Rick Perry came under fire for his claim during a debate that Social Security was a Ponzi scheme. Lets look at this note, this funding is not saved for you specifically. It all goes into a big pot and is dispersed to those currently collecting Social Security benefits. If you work and the older investors. Social Security has lasted this long because there are younger workers paying into the system on a constant basis. When it is mandatory, there is seemingly a never-ending supply of cash entering to keep the payouts moving. However, the problem regarding Social Security is what could happen if those paying in become fewer in number than those seeking to collect benefits. Back in 1940, there were 160 workers paying in for every senior collecting. Then, in 1950, there were 16.5 workers paying for every senior collecting. To-

We should take a serious look at what a Ponzi scheme is, how Social Security compares, and what can be done to repair what many see as broken.
notion for a moment. Was the governor incorrect? Those on the left were quick to jump into stark criticisms of his declaration. However, stepping back from a partisan viewpoint, we should take a serious look at what a Ponzi scheme is, how Social Security compares, and what can be done to repair what many see as broken. To begin, the Security Exchange Commission defines a Ponzi scheme as, An investment fraud that involves the payment of purported returns to existing investors from funds contributed by new investors. Now, what is Social Security exactly? Well, Social Security is a federally run insurance program funded by a special tax deducted from each of our paychecks. If you have a job, you pay a FICA (Federal Insurance Contribution Act) tax where part of that goes to the Social Security fund and other federally run programs like Medicaid and Medicare. Please take pay this tax, your money goes to those older investors who are currently collecting benefits just as their money went to the investors before them. In what way is this different from a Ponzi scheme?

Social Security was not intended to be used as primary income for 20 years by baby boomers as it is today.
day there are about 3 workers paying for each senior, and in 20 years there will be 2 people paying in for each senior receiving benefits. Many experts have voiced concern over the need to reform the Social Security program, such as raising the age to collect full benefits from 65 to something higher. When the program was founded under FDR, the life expectancy was 62, while today it is nearly 80. I think it is safe to say we can elevate the age of eligibility as a means to keep the system functioning. Other possible reform policies to take into consideration are altering the cost of living measure and create a means-test

Today there are about 3 workers paying for each senior, and in 20 years there will be 2 people paying in for each senior receiving benefits.

Simply put, Social Security is a required investment, whereas a Ponzi deal is voluntary, and the parties involved are not aware of where their money is coming from. The reason Ponzi schemes fail is because they fall short in finding new investors to keep the cash flowing in for

for the richer recipients. Mind you, those on the left like President Obama have not put up any real solutions to fix the program. Mostly due to the volatility regarding the conversation of such an issue, it is not politically popular, but that does not make it any less necessary to discuss. When Social Security was founded by FDR, he meant for those older members of society to not be forced to live in insolvency during their final years. It was not intended to be used as primary income for 20 years by baby boomers as it is today. Let us move past the debate as to whether it is a Ponzi scheme. Instead, we should work to reform one of the most vital and fixable government programs to keep it going for generations to come.

September, 2011

The Purdue Review

By MORGAN IKERD

AttackWatch.com: A New Breed of Mockery

Obamas loyal followers, it is your ultimate duty to report people for exercising their right to free speech, free thought, Dear #attackwatch: Orwells 1984 was a cautionary tale, not an instruction manual. #AttackWatch I still have friends and family I believe are not on any kind of government assistance. Where can I report names? Dear #attackwatch my neighbor wont give me all her money even though she makes more than me. Look into this please. Someones pushing a Ponzi scheme on Americans! They call it social security. #attackwatch #Attackwatch: I want to report a guy who farted in the elevator but refused to blame it on Bush. Someones lying about the president on TV right now. Wait. That IS the president! #attackwatch #Attackwatch: I know where Anne Frank is hiding! Watch out, monthly jobless report. AttackWatch is onto you. #attackwatch I sneezed & some guy I dont know said God bless you. I want him arrested for forcing his religion on me. #attackwatch Someone in my office took the last cup of coffee and didnt make a new pot #attackwatch Dear #AttackWatch Id like to report the Dos Equis guy. Hes claiming to be the most interesting man in the world. But you already told me Obama was. for ridicule. This isnt just an idea gone wrong by the Obama administration; it is a serious character flaw in the ideology of his campaign. A website that prohibits a core amendment right is not only an infringement of liberty, its fundamentally un-American. Its Big Brother-esque. And its just plain creepy. Hey #AttackWatch I heard the only good Cash For Clunkers did was get all the Obama stickers off the roads, thank you. Hey #attackwatch, I saw 6 ATMs in an alley, killing a job. It looked like a hate crime!

The Obama reelection campaign launched a Web site this month called AttackWatch.com where loyal support-

AttackWatch.com is a website where loyal Obama supporters are encouraged to report the lies and false accusations made about the President and his policies.
ers are encouraged to report the lies and false accusations made about the President and his policies. The website attempts to help stop the attacks on the President before they start; but what does this even mean? Is Obamas team going to personally track down and shut up every dissenting citizen? Obamas campaign manager, Jim Messina, wrote that AttackWatch.com was a tool that would allow the Obama fans to be on the front lines stating, Youll hear about false claims as soon as they come up. Well count on you to spread the truth to your friends and and more specifically, their right to openly dislike Obamas policies. As a tool that was meant to help the Obama campaign identify the sources of libel and slander made against their oh-so-wonderful policy decisions, AttachWatch.com has taken a turn for the worse and become the subject of a brand new category of satire and jokes. This campaign tactic, especially for an incumbent president, exudes weakness and paranoia when they should be displaying pride and confidence. How else are we to look at this absurd attempt to infringe our rights as

By creating this tattle tale site and labeling Americans as attackers the site has become meaningless; even worse, it has become a laughingstock to many from all parts of the political spectrum and given the Conservative side a free pass

This isnt just an idea gone wrong; it is a serious character flaw in the Obama administrations ideology.
personal networks and let us know about new smears whenever you hear them. To report an attack, users simply fill out an online form describing the claim and click on a pull-down menu that gives them multiple options to explain where the attack came from. So, if youre one of anything other than a hysterical joke? Since the launching of the website, Twitter has been bombarded with tweet after tweet sarcastically commenting on the Presidents stimulus and job creation plans. Some of the hilarious tweets?

Review

The Purdue Review

September, 2011

By MORGAN IKERD

Has WikiLeaks Finally Run Dry?

Nine months ago you could hardly pick up a newspaper or surf through the news channels without seeing the words WikiLeaks or hearing of its founder, Julian Assange, and some breaking government secrets it had graciously released to the public. Always a center of controversy, WikiLeaks tiptoes the line between national security and open government and within a year of its commencement, the media and world of journalism had been completely turned upside down. We had embarked on an era that had merged government secrecy with the public right to information and no one quite new what this new chemistry would mean for keeping citizens content and global relations in harmony. For some, it is lauded as the future of investigative journalism and was even described the worlds first stateless news organization. For others, particularly the governments and corporations whose secrets it exposes; it is a serious risk. Starting with the horrifying video footage of an American helicopter gunning down a group of both armed and unarmed Iraqi people in Baghdad and wrapping up with the publication of thousands of classified diplomatic cables, 2010 was the year WikiLeaks made global headlines. However, 2011 is proving quite a different game for the whistle-blowing organization. Last summer, Julian Assange was on the brink of becoming one of the worlds most recognized power players. Now, he is waging a battle to secure his own freedom as the organization he founded struggles to replicate its past successes and stay clear of legal traps. The first document released, dubbed Reykjavik 13 cable was released on February 18, 2010, followed by a leak of State Department profiles of Icelandic politicians the very next month. That summer, Julian Assange made a deal with media companies in the United States and Europe to publish the rest of the secret government files in redacted form. In November of 2010, they were printed in the worlds most widely-read newspapers. WikiLeaks planned to release the rest over several months, and by January, 2017 classified government files had become not so private. Despite these shady media transactions, the most controversial event of the WikiLeaks reign occurred this very month when a series of events eroded the security of a file containing a mother load of confidential government information; 251, 287 words to be exact. This massive computer file was leaked accidentally to the public when Daits own protocols. Whoever is responsible for making the cables freely available, the latest in a series of controversial document dumps, stands as an important reminder of the difficulties inherent in cyber security in a digital age. This security breach has put WikiLeaks once again un-

Experts say, revolutions and reforms are in danger of being lost as the unpublished cables spread to intelligence contractors and governments before the public.
vid Leigh, assistant editor of the Guardian and accomplished author, wrote a book about the organization titled, WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assanges War on Secrecy. Leigh published an actual password to access an encrypted file which he assumed to have been expired. Well, you know what they say about assuming. This leak containing a trove of documents ranging from sensitive diplomatic messages to military field reports could put people, such as government informants, in serious jeopardy. Experts say, Revolutions and reforms are in danger of being lost as the unpublished cables spread to intelligence contractors and governments before the public. This matter is in hot dispute and many who have seen the negative effects of WikiLeaks are happy to see the organization finally get a taste of its own medicine. Gene Grabowski, senior vice president of Levick Strategic Communications and manager of the firms Crisis and Litigation Practice says, It is extremely ironic that a group which has devoted itself to undermining the rules of other organizations is now complaining about violations of der the close scrutiny of its critics. The reputation and ability of WikiLeaks to continue with its stated mission may be one of the first casualties of this security breach. Gabrowski states that, WikiLeaks needs the trust and cooperation of other organizations to be relevant, pointing to its relationship with The New York Times and Guardian. Both those newspapers worked hand in hand with WikiLeaks when the documents first surfaced last year. As of now, 261,276,536 private government words have been made easily available to the public making Cablegate the worlds largest release of classified information. So, what is next for the omniscient WikiLeaks organization? Are we seeing the end of this war on secrecy? Many experts seem to believe that if the sites mounting troubles continue, including the legal charges facing founder Julian Assange, WikiLeaks could become so radioactive as to become irrelevant.

Unlikely GOP Victory in a Dark Blue NY District Looms Over 2012 Elections
In a stunning blow to New York Democrats, Republican media executive Bob Turner captured a seat in the House of Representatives Tuesday, September 13th, in a special election. New Yorks 9th Congressional District was previously held by Representative Anthony Weiner but was vacated after he resigned amid a nationally reported sex scandal. While his pregnant wife was traveling abroad, Weiner sent explicit photos to women he met online and accidentally released them via his Twitter account. He publicly lied about his communications between the women but came clean a week later. In a strong rebuke against Democrats, Turner sealed the victory. This event triggered a national conversation as to whether this election, as well as another GOP victory in Nevada last week, is a sign of President Obamas unpopularity among the American voters. Republican leaders were quick to associate the victory with an impending landslide in 2012. An unpopular President Obama is now a liability for Democrats nationwide, Representative Pete SesBy BOBBY EGAN Democratic National Committee chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said. Something stuck out in this particular election though - this particular district not sit well with the Orthodox Jews and Roman Catholics in the district. Despite the severe case against Democrats, we should examine the districts recent hison the east coast that turned sour for the incumbent party? President Obamas approval ratings have been on a constant downward slope ever since he declared in early June this was the Recovery Summer. With a relentless nationwide unemployment rate of 9.1 percent after record amounts of government spending, the American people seem to be catching on. Historic federal spending is not cutting it, and yet, the Presidents latest desperate attempt is the same story - temporary tax cuts and incentives for businesses as well as long-term guaranteed tax hikes to pay for the 500 billion dollars it will cost. Democrats will be eager to win back the seats lost in the 2010

September, 2011

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The Pu

Its clear that Democrats desperately tried to save this election and came up short in the end, but does this election foreshadow an unfavorable atmosphere for them in 2012?
seat had not been held by Republicans since 1920. In a district where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans three to one, it is difficult to see where Wasserman Schultzs reasoning came from. As Representative-Elect Turner took to the stage to acknowledge his victory, he declared the election had been a referendum against President Obama, his economic policies, as well as his recent ignorance tory and reputation of being a dark, dark shade of blue. In 2008, Weiner won the seat with an incredible 93 percent of the vote. Obama carried it without a struggle at 55 percent. Finally, in the midterm elections of 2010, (a terrible year for House Democrats) Weiner beat Turner easily with 61 percent. Although these types of special elections typically have low turnout, the local Democrats received over $600,000 from the Democratic National Committee, as well as large donations from local labor unions. Some local officials estimate Democrats could have outspent their GOP counterparts six or eight to one in the race. Its clear that Democrats desperately tried to save this election and came up short in the end, but does this election foreshadow an unfavorable atmosphere for Democrats in 2012? Or is this election truly nothing more than an obscure case

This event triggered a national conversation as to whether this election, as well as another GOP victory in Nevada, is a sign of Obamas unpopularity.
sions of Texas said in a statement. However, the Democrats were quick to respond. In this district, there is a large number of people who went to the polls tonight who didnt support the president to begin with and dont support Democrats - and its nothing more than that, towards Israel. In a district where Orthodox Jews represent about 40 percent of voters, Israel had become a popular talking point in the late stages of the campaign. Additionally, the Democratic challenger, David Weprin, had recently voted to legalize same-sex marriage which did

anti-incumbency elections, but this special case does not do help their cause. This special election in New Yorks 9th Congressional District may or may not be a direct referendum against the Obama Administration, but it is obvious that the nations attitude of Yes, We Can has shriveled into a cloud of uncertainty.

Review

ur for the When the average person thinks of mas ap- Hollywood stars voicing their opinions on constant nearly any issue, it is usually assumed the declared idea comes from the left, with the excepwas the tion of a few fringe right wingers like er. With Ted Nugent or Mel Gibson chiming in octionwide casionally. However, there is a large and rate of growing number of conservative celebrir record ties that tend to be overlooked. Some of ernment the celebrities who subscribe to a fashion American of conservatism include: be catchfederal Adam Sandler: Known for being a coutting it, medic star on Saturday Night Live, Billy esidents Madison, and Happy Gilmore, Sandler is a attempt y - temfor busiaranteed n dollars

Conservative Celebrities: More of Them than Meets the Eye?

By ANDREW BRUNNI registered Republican and has given significant campaign contributions to conservative candidates.

The Purdue Review

September, 2011

Robert Downey, Jr.: The star of Iron-

man and a former liberal is a fairly recent addition to the conservative celebrities. After facing problems with drugs and alcohol that eventually led him to a state prison, Downey turned his life around, sobered up, and became a conservative. He is also known to be a friend of former President George W. Bush.

Sammy Hagar: The Red Rocker himself.

Hagar, a rock star famed for his solo career and career as the front man of Van Halen, has been a Libertarian Republican for his entire career in music, easily identifiable by several of his songs, such as I Cant Drive 55, a song protesting Jimmy Carters new federal speed limit, and VOA, which showcases American exceptionalism and an anti-communist attitude. Hagar played for a private party at the 2008 Republican National Convention and is rumored to be playing a main event at the 2012 RNC.

conservative. Eastwood is known for his macho man roles in classic war movies and westerns, as well as in the more recent hit movie Gran Turino. A self-described Libertarian, Eastwood was also the mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California in the late 1980s.

Clint Eastwood: The classic Hollywood

These four, along with others such as Alice Cooper, Jessica Simpson, Brittney Spears and Dana Carvey, are part of an expanding conservative movement in pop culture and I wouldnt expect it to fade out anytime soon.

Silver Screen Queen Goes with Marine

By JACOB GALSWORTHY No feat made mightier headlines this summer than Sgt. Scott Moore, a marine serving in Afghanistan, clinching an accepted date invitation to the Marine Corps Ball from screen actress Mila Kunis. A Cinderella Story of Jupiter-scale, Moore proved that we do not need magic mice or fairy godmothers to make our dreams come true. We now have YouTube for that (unless you consider Justin Timberlake a talking mouse he talked Kunis into it on Fox411). With less than two months to the night of the ball, November 18 to be exact, who knows what Sgt. Moore has in mind for possible dinner conversation. Swapping stories may be natural for some but who knows when it comes to Hollywood and the military finding common ground; it could be explosive. For example: Ill explain to you the end of The Hurt Locker if you explain to me the end of Black Swan. Im sure the dinner talk will be not as uncouth as with other spin-off couples that followed. Soon after, Timberlake and Kunis decided to double date as he is going with Cpl. Kelsey De Santis. If my schedule works out to do it, Id love to. Its an honor, said Timberlake on July 16. Although some backlash has come out saying the marines new hobby of meeting celebrities is taking the focus off their missions, it mesmerizes me more that a side of Hollywood is embracing our military rather than siding with antagonists of their efforts. Perhaps Kunis and Timberlake may have uncovered a new wave of patriotism. Publicity stunt or not, I say let the men and women lose the gear for an evening and have some fun. The act harkens memories of the USO when Bob Hope spent Christmas with the troops and had Ann Margaret and Raquel Welch go-go dancing on top of aircraft carriers. While the image of Bob Hope singing Silent Night onstage in Vietnam will forever be enshrined in Americana, keep in mind the servicemen and women always appreciate a thank you from non-celebrities. Dont be afraid to reach out to the real heroes. Even better, put it on YouTube.

but this eir cause. orks 9th ay not be e Obama ous that Can has nty.

September, 2011

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Rugby 101
By IAN WANG From September 9, 2011 until October 23, 2011, the Pacific Island nation of New Zealand can expect an influx of 95,000 overseas visitors, all there to be part of the largest sporting event ever to be hosted in New Zealand: The 2011 Rugby World Cup. Most rugby enthused and affiliated nations would find it blasphemous that America, as a whole, has remained mostly unaware to this world event, an event showcasing the most noble and manly of pursuits. However, are Americans really at fault here? It is football season after all. In light of this historically momentous occasion, some of the finer points of the currently ongoing 2011 World Cup have been summarized. With the entire rugby fanatic nation of New Zealand behind them, their national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, have no excuse this year not to get through to the finals. Recognized worldwide as well as by the International Rugby Board as the number one ranked team, New Zealand has only lost 8 out of 84 home matches since 1995. With the four years of self-flagellation now finally over, the pressure is on this year as the All Blacks strive to redeem their unfortunate exit out of the 2007 World Cup when they lost to France 18-20 during the Americans might be pleasantly surprised to learn that their sport-loving nation is actually ranked 17 on the International Rugby Boards World Rankings and have qualified for this years world cup. With a stifling defense led by team captain Todd Tackles Clever, the USA rugby union team, known as the Eagles, did fairly well in their match against Ireland, a world cup favorite, even though they lost 10-22. A win of 13-6 over Russia though will give the Eagles the momentum they need to go against another rugby powerhouse, and world cup favorite, Australia in their next match. Now, the positions explained: More forwards vs. backs lore: In 1978, the Wallabies were about to play the All-Blacks at Eden Park. On the morning of the match, stand-in manager Ross Turnbull talked to the team, then asked the backs to leave him with the forwards. It was just Turnbull with the pigs. Look, he said, waving an airy hand at the just-departed backs, these Phantom comic swappers and Mintie eaters, these blonde-headed flyweights are one thing, and we will need them after the hard work is done. But the real stuffs got to be done right here by you blokes. The Wallabies went on to a famous win, and that story, recounted by one of the forwards in the room, Chris Handy, has always been the best exposition of the difference between backs and forwards.

New Zealand has only lost 8 out of 84 home matches since 1995.
quarterfinals and to shatter perceptions that they choke in key games.

See Rugby... on Pg. 9

The Purdue Review

September, 2011

Rugby...
From Page 8

THE FORWARDS

There are eight forwards. They take part in scrums, lineouts, rucks, and mauls - essentially everything that is meaningful in the game. The close physical work necessary for the forwards engenders a sense of comradeship not shared by the prancing, self-centered and effeminate backs. The game has evolved, thank goodness, with multi-phase possession allowing the forwards to demonstrate their running ability with the ball. Props and Hookers The front row is the cauldron, the foundation for all good rugby play. The front row is noted for their power and good looks, like no necks, battered ears, and S-shaped noses. Such players are noted for their intelligence and longevity well into their forties.

THE BACKS
The Flyhalf It is rumored that the Fly has the best vision, hands, kicking ability, and overall tactical decision making capacity on the side. The forwards do not understand or trust this individual. The hard-working scrummies generally expect and anticipate a knock forward from the fly so they can have the pleasure of another scrum-down. The Centers These players are supposed to be deadly tacklers, with strong running instincts and good hands. Alas, the centers are lumped in there with the prancing flyhalf. If the fly doesnt knock on, surely one of the centers will muff it up so the scrummies can experience the joy and satisfaction of another scrum-down.

Second Row The second row is the engine room where the power flows. The second row - or lock forward - is tall, with plenty of leverage strength in the legs. He must be productive in the lineouts as a jumper or supporter. Mobility is added plus. The second row is much appreciated by the front row for their power in the scrummage but they are generally not as good looking as the front row.

The Loose Forwards The loose forwards include the #8 and the flankers. The loose forwards are respected by the front row for their mobility, fitness, defense and support work. The loosey must have tremendous fitness and ball fetching instincts which are not completely understood or trusted by the props and hooker, who are perfectly content to scrummage all day for the ball. The Scrum-Half The little scrum half provides the ball to the backs when the forwards are prepared for the strutting backs to knock it forward. The forwards have grudging respect for the scrum-half because he tries hard and is not afraid to get dirty with the rest of the scrummies. The wise scrum-half will drink and buy beers for the scrummies to maintain his favored position with the forwards.

The Fullback and Wingers These guys may as well be from Mars. They are allegedly fast with excellent striking ability. They are supposed to score lots of tries, catch the high ball, and counter attack with flair. However, the stark reality, well understood by the forwards, is that the fullback and wingers prance and preen more than the inside backs. They do not get dirty and are always playing with their hair and pulling on their collars. In fact, their sexual orientation has been called into question on numerous occasions. Some props think fullbacks and wingers are real purdy.

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September, 2011

The Purdue Review

Purdue Gets a New Mascot

By MICHAEL KEEFER The first Boilermaker Special was actually dedicated 61 years ago in 1940, but to be fair, Purdues use of trains dates back over a century. In the 1890s, Purdue became a leader in the research of railway technology. For many years Purdue operated the Schenectady No. 1, and later the Schenectady No. 2, in an engineering laboratory on the West Lafayette campus. Each version of the Schenectady was a classic Victorian-era steam locomotive. Purdue even operated its own railroad to connect the campus to a main rail line. In the 1930s, Purdues locomotive research lab was decommissioned and the Schenectady No. 2 was retired as the railroad industry in the United States converted from steam to diesel-electric locomotives. In October of 1923, the Purdue Reamer Club was founded with the goal of uniting sports-minded independent Purdue students and supporting Purdue athletics. These independent students (those who are not members of a fraternity or sorority) would represent a wide cross-section of the student body. At the time, Purdue did not have a mascot. In 1937 a Purdue Reamer Club member, Israel Izzy Selkowitz, suggested the school adopt an official mascot to represent Purdues engineering heritage. He originally proposed a mechanical man. After much debate, it was decided to build a locomotive on an automobile chassis. This choice allowed the mascot to build on Purdues engineering and railroading heritage, as well as represent the schools nickname Boilermakers in a meaningful way. The Boilermaker nickname came about during the early years of Purdue football. There had been rumors the university enrolled burly boilermakers from the Monon Railroad shops in Lafayette, Indiana as students/football players to help beef up the scrawny football team. When a railroad operated an extra train independent of the scheduled timetable, it was known as a special. Thus, the trains which carried Purdues sporting teams and their fans to other cities for athletic contests were known as Boilermaker Specials. It was a perfect match. Izzys idea was developed and carried on until the culmination of efforts took

The Original Boilermaker Special

place on September 11, 1940, when the Boilermaker Special I was presented to the university. The Purdue Reamer Club was appointed caretakers of the mascot at that time, and is still carrying out these duties. The superstructure was refitted in 1953, giving BMS II its birth, with a matching trailer added in 1957 to increase the passenger seating capacity. The trailer remained in use until the early 1990s. The Boilermaker Special III was obtained as a donation from General Motors in the Fall of 1960. BMS III represented the university for 33 years and travelled more than 110,000 miles. Throughout these years, the Boilermaker Special III received several additions which are still in use today, including steam that could be sprayed from the smokestack, a single-flute steam whistle, and a locomotive air horn that could be heard from miles away. A full set of lights were also installed, allowing the Boilermaker Special III the capability of driving on most improved roads, day or night, in all weather conditions.

In the fall of 1992, it became evident to the Reamer Club that the Boilermaker Special III was in a state of disrepair and it would be in the best interest to work on replacing the over 30 year old BMS III. This started the evolution of Boilermaker Special V Project. Purdue technical graphic students helped the project by using BMS III measurements and designing a structure on computer to help out with the superstructure of the vehicle. Wabash National Corporation of Lafayette volunteered their resources to build the new superstructure for BMS V. Donations of aluminum from ALCOA in Lafayette also aided in the building of BMS V. Navistar International donated a 1992 chassis to the task force for the BMS V. The most prominent feature on the BMS V was a five-chime freight train horn that came from a Norfolk Southern locomotive. The BMS V was finally dedicated at halftime of the Notre Dame football game at Ross-Ade stadium on September 25, 1993.

See Mascot... on Pg. 11

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Mascot...
From Page 10
In 2011, the Special underwent a significant overhaul with the help of the Wabash National corporation. With over 200,000 miles, the Boilermaker Special V was in need of a new engine, transmission, and chassis. The body has changed slightly to adjust to the new parts, as well as a slight change in the painting design. The latest Boilermaker Special also has new bells and whistles. Despite these changes, some parts from previous trains still remain, namely the brass bell from BMS I and the steam whistle from BMS III. In June of 2011, the university confirmed that the overhauled mascot will indeed be branded as Boilermaker Special VII, which will be reflected by the number 7 being displayed on the front of the trains boiler. The Boilermaker Special VII continues a tradition of performing a wake-up call to the campus of Purdue on mornings of home football games in order to increase campus spirit, as well as attaching caps bearing the logos of defeated opponents to the Boilermaker Specials cow-catcher. The BMS VII also travels to all away football games when possible, as well as other Purdue sporting events in and around Indiana. Over the years, the Boilermaker Special has traveled to Virginia, Florida, Texas, and even California. The BMS looks to travel throughout the nation for several more years helping to spread the Spirit of Purdue.

*Special thanks to the Purdue Reamer Club and Purdue Athletics for supplying the information needed for this article.

on Pg. 11

Boilermaker Special V

Boilermaker Special VII

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Ford: A True American Car Company

By AARON ANSPAUGH The Big Three in the US auto industry are well known to be GM, Ford, and Chrysler. Each company spans multiple generations and has had many memorable vehicles throughout the years. In 2008-2009, however, in the midst of a struggling US maker Fiat in May of this year. Contrary to what President Obama said, however, Chrysler did not pay back all of the bailout money it received. The US government does not expect to recover about $1.9 billion from Chrysler, which is now that are not paid back. In a recent ad campaign, Ford surprised a real F-150 driver with a news conference, asking him why he drove Ford. When asked about whether the bailout situation impacted his decision, he had this to say: I wasnt going to buy another car that was bailed out by our government. I was going to buy from a manufacturer thats standing on their own: win, lose, or draw Ford is that company for me. Over the summer, I was privileged to be able to work at Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, as an IT intern. My project, although it was focused on a rather technical aspect of some IT applications, did have a direct impact on Fords core business, which is manufacturing vehicles. While this focus on Fords awesome new vehicles definitely motivated me, I was surprised at how many of Fords employees (at least the 60 or so with whom I worked) were passionate about Ford vehicles as well. Just like me, they were motivated by how their is evidenced by improved quality and customer satisfaction surveys. In fact, the only major blip in recent quality surveys for Ford has been in the implementation of MyFordTouch. This advanced piece of software combines the voice-controlled communications capabilities of Sync with customizable displays and many new features. Not surprisingly, Ford is facing all the problems of an auto maker combined with all the problems of a software company. But, as they continue to fine-tune their Sync and MyFordTouch installations, Ford will be far ahead of competition that has yet to tackle such projects. I was incredibly grateful to be able to work this summer at a company that still stands for its original principles. I was very impressed by the passion of the employees at all levels of the company. As the US auto industry slowly recovers, I hope people stop and realize that there is more at stake than simply a nameplate when choosing to buy a car. Only Ford can say

auto industry, GM and Chrysler accepted money from the government to try and save their businesses. These bailouts were intended to keep the companies from going bankrupt. The true utility of the bailouts was proven when both GM and Chrysler went bankrupt by the end of the 2009. Ford had initially also been seeking secured loans, but eventually decided that there were too many strings attached. Instead, under the leadership of CEO Alan Mulally (formerly of Boeing), Ford raised massive amounts of capital, partially by using the famous blue oval as collateral. While this was risky, Mulally thought that Ford would be able to survive if it could restructure its business, unite as a company, and focus on producing quality vehicles. Ford had planned to return to profitability by 2010, but due to this ambitious plan, Ford became profitable a year early, in 2009. After GM and Chrysler went bankrupt, the government basically took over the reorganization of the companies. As it stands right now, Chrysler is officially no longer owned by the US government. The federal governments final shares in Chrysler were sold to the Italian auto-

an Italian-owned company that happens to operate in the US. As for GM, the federal government still owns about a third of the company. At the IPO of GM stock after the bankruptcy, the shares sold for around $33. If the government is to recover all of the bailout money it gave to GM, the share price must rise to about $50 before it can sell its remainder of the stock. The problem is that GMs stock has been falling constantly since the IPO, and is currently at right around $20 a share. Unless things change drastically for GM, the federal government will be losing quite a bit of money from GM just as it did from Chrysler. Understandably so, the employees and customers of Ford are pleased that the last bastion of American auto-manufacturing did not have to rely on the federal government, nor is it adding billions to the national debt through failed bailouts

As I learned more about the history of Ford, I became proud of how Ford was able to admit its mistakes of the past and move forward.
work tied directly to Fords core competency. As I learned more about the history of Ford, I became proud of how Ford was able to admit its mistakes of the past and move forward. No one would have expected that the Ford of the 80s, when people thought it stood for Found On Road Dead, would now become a quality leader worldwide. The newest lineup of Ford vehicles has incredible technology and sophistication built in, and this they are an American company, run from America, owned by Americans and not the US government or a foreign company. It is my hope that in the upcoming years, Americans will reward Ford with brand loyalty for standing on their own and for continuing to be Americas true car company.

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Ignore Panic Regarding Potential Government Shutdown

By TOM CHEW Despite the claims being made, Uncle Sam will not stop working completely in the event of a government shutdown. The current standstill regarding the federal budget for next year is causing some panic for Americans of all walks of life. However, the reality is that the troops will not be sent home, nor will our borders be abandoned. Individuals receiving Social Security checks will not see an interruption in their benefits; people will still be allowed to apply for Social Security Disability Benefits. Government services for veterans, Medicare, food services, and air traffic control will continue to function. What you should not expect is to be able to visit the Smithsonian, a national park, or expect the IRS hotline to be anployees who have jobs relating to national security or the protection of life and propLooking back, we have had multiple shutdowns under several presidents in the last few decades. There was one every year under President Carter averaging 11 days each; there were six shutdowns under President Reagan, usually lasting a day or so for each. There were two partial shutdowns in 1995 and 1996 when the Republicans tried to get then President Clinton to negotiate with their budget plan. Most shutdowns end when deals were cut, and then we all move forward. In conclusion, despite what those in Washington would have us believe, government shutdowns are not the end of the world.

The reality is that troops will not be sent home, nor will our borders be abandoned. There will be no interruption in Social Security benefits.
swered. Why? Well for starters, President Reagans Budget Chief David Stockman set a precedent that requires federal emerty to continue their day-to-day operations. So, the reality is our country will not go into complete chaos.

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Fifteen Tips for Freshmen

By KRISTIN PATRAS

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

Dont refer to your professors as Mr. and Mrs. Learn to cook something other than ramen noodles. Dont wear your lanyard around your neck. Its a dead giveaway that you are, indeed, a freshman. Beer before liquor, never been sicker. * Liquor before beer, in the clear. * If you leave your clothes in the dryer too long, they will magically disappear. Ladies, get mace. Mad Mushroom cheesy bread. Enough said. Ratemyprofessors.com. Set multiple alarms. Memorize your student ID number. Google Chegg. Take at least one blow-off class each semester. Memory foam mattress cover. So worth it. Enjoy it because it will be the fastest 4 years of your life!

*We dont endorse underage drinking.

University of Wisconsin Guilty of Discrimination

By NEIL THAKKAR AND ANDREW LOVITT Two studies that were released Tuesday, September 13th by the Center for Equal Opportunity (CEO), have revealed severe racial discrimination at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. According to the study, which pertains to both undergraduate admissions and the law school, African Americans and Latinos were given obvious preference over whites and Asians based on racial and ethnic considerations. Dr. Althea Nagai, a researcher at CEO, prepared the studies which were based on data provided by the school itself. However, the University did not hand over the data until a lawsuit was filed by CEO and taken all the way to the state supreme court. According to the newly released data, the odds ratio favoring African Americans and Hispanics was 576-1 and 504-1, respectively. The affirmative action policies at the University of Wisconsin, although perhaps executed with good intentions, exacerbate the problem of discrimination. The University of Wisconsin should not grant privilege to uncontrollable phenomena; race selection is not within an individuals locus of control. Since this is the case, any grounds for discriminatory acts against a particular race, in this instance Caucasians and Asians, is arbitrary and paradoxical. Their blatant favoring of African Americans and Latinos is unequivocally an illustration of an act that they, the University, endeavor to overcome. Even worse, merit and diligence are undervalued. The admission of one group over another based on aspects out of the realm of human control in order to achieve equal representation is absurd. Moreover, it perpetuates a negative stereotype for minorities who are qualified and would have been admitted regardless of race. This may make students suspect of minorities qualifications; these are precisely the sort of negative stereotypes society aims to overcome, and true equality will not be reached unless we can see past the issue of race altogether.

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Campus Diversions
Curtis by Ray Billingsley

The Purdue Review

September, 2011

15

Mallard Fillmore by Bruce Tinsley

Novice

Sudoku
from http://www.veryfreesudoku.com

Moderate

Kakuro instructions: The object is to fill all empty squares using numbers 1 to 9 so the sum of each horizontal block equals the clue on its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the clue on its top. In addition, no number may be used in the same block more than once .

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Zelda Lives On
25 years ago, Nintendo released a game for NES that would spawn an entire series. This legendary game is still thought of today as an inspiration and a challenge. An entire generation of gamers has grown to know the simple story of this game as a standard for how video games are supposed to be. This game, released on a unique gold cartridge, stood out from the rest due to its lack of a point system and its exploratory design. This game, of course, was The Legend of Zelda. A lot has happened in 25 years. Nintendo has released many new systems. Competitors have come and gone. The entire video game industry has morphed from pixels and points to ultra-realistic graphics. The Zelda series, however, has stood the test of time, using the original game as a basis for how to captivate players with exploration, legends, and music. By AARON ANSPAUGH

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Zelda series, Nintendo has planned quite an exciting year for Zelda fans. Earlier in the year, Nintendo released its most recent handheld gaming system, the 3DS (which offers 3D technology without glasses). One of the most anticipated games was a 3D remake of Ocarina of Time, a Zelda game once released on Nintendo 64. This was released during the summer, and a special soundtrack was sent out to the first group of people to purchase the game. Then, the two original Zelda games for NES were released via virtual console for the 3DS. The games are free for those who have purchased a 3DS at full-price. To top this off, Nintendo plans on releasing Four Swords, originally for Gameboy Advance, to all DS and 3DS owners for free. Aside from the remakes and rereleas-

es, Nintendo is also putting out a new Zelda game in November called Skyward Sword. This game will take advantage of a new Wii controller, allowing the player to precisely control the swings of a sword. In multiple surveys, this Zelda game has shown to be the most anticipated game of the upcoming months, proving that Zelda can garner just as much fan support 25 years later. One final interesting note regarding the anniversary of the Zelda series is the recognition by Nintendo of the attachment that the fans have to the music in the games. Some melodies, such as the original Zelda theme, have carried through just about every other game, while others may only occur in one or two games. In a few Zelda games, the use of music is vital to the main plot of the game. To commemorate 25 years of awesome music, as

well as the fans who are devoted to the series, Nintendo plans on sending a symphony on tour around America next year. This symphony will play orchestrated versions of Zelda music, allowing fans to relive memories and get swept up into the games once again. While I wasnt even alive in 1986, I can say that Ive played the majority of Zelda games and will continue to play them as they come out in the future. As long as they stick to the principles of the original game while adapting to new technology, I think the series can go on as long as Nintendo exists. And perhaps in 2036, when our kids are in college, they will get to participate in an even bigger celebration of this legendary series.

Legend of Zelda Series Timeline

1986 The Legend of Zelda (NES) 1987 The Adventure of Link (NES) 1991 A Link to the Past (SNES) 1993 Links Awakening (GB) 1998 Ocarina of Time (N64) 2000 Majoras Mask (N64) 2001 Oracle of Ages & Seasons (GBC) 2002 Wind Waker (GC) 2002 Four Swords/A Link to the Past (GBA) 2004 Four Swords Adventures (GC) 2004 Minish Cap (GBA) 2006 Twilight Princess (GC/Wii) 2007 Phantom Hourglass (DS) 2009 Spirit Tracks (DS) 2011 Ocarina of Time 3D (3DS) 2011 Skyward Sword (Wii)