The All State

President Barack Obama delivers remarks in May during his first visit to Fort Campbell. PHOTO BY PATRICK ARMSTRONG|THE ALL STATE

By PATRICK ARMSTRONG
Editor-in-Chief, The All State

“Job well done,” was the message President Barack Obama brought to more than 2,300 soldiers from Fort Campbell, during his first visit to the Army post. Vice President Joe Biden also joined Obama on Friday, May 6, to talk to the entire Navy SEAL unit that killed 9/11 mastermind, and leader of Al-Qaida, Osama bin Laden.
Both spoke with the unit in private with no media allowed. “We got to spend time with the assaulters who got bin Laden,” Biden said boastfully during the ceremony.
The SEALs were lead by Vice Adm. William McRaven, who is head of the military’s counterterrorism unit. Two-dozen SEALs raided the Pakistani compound with the same number circling overhead as backup. “They’re America’s quiet professionals because success demands secrecy,” Obama said.
The members who carried out the “historic” mission were given the Presidential Unit Citation, the most prestigious honor an entire unit can receive.
Obama and Biden also met with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment — the Night Stalkers — who flew the SEALs on their mission, and Green Berets from the 5th Special Forces Group.
During the meeting, soldiers waiting in the heat of Hangar 3 were full of energy with a quartet from the 101st Airborne Division Band playing, singing “Screaming Eagle Song” and dancing to various other songs. Of the soldiers present, 99 percent of them had served in Afghanistan.
“This has been a historic week in the life of our nation. The terrorist leader who struck our nation on 9/11 will never threaten America again,” Obama said with soldiers cheering. “This is the finest military the world has ever known. And that includes all of you, men and women of the 101st.”
Spc. Michael Chatman from the 1-33 Cavalry, said, “[The speech was] inspiring. I’m grateful for it because it shows that somebody out here’s actually saying they appreciate what we did.” Chatman has served two tours in Afghanistan, the first for six months and the second for 12.
“You guys have been in the fight from the beginning … You’ve been in some of the most hospitable terrain in the world … You’re amazing,” Biden said. “You’re the most capable warriors in the history of the world.”
Obama said in closing, “There is nothing we can’t do together 101st; when we remember who we are and that is the United States of America. When we remember that no problem is too hard and no challenge is too great. And that is why I am so confident that with your service, America’s greatest days are still to come.” TAS

By BRIAN BIGELOW | Assistant News Editor

Elections will be held next week for the Student Government Association Executive Council and Senate, with the exception of freshman and graduate Senate seats.

The executive council consists of the SGA president, vice president and executive secretary. Each college has three representatives in the Senate; each class has two representatives. There are also two graduate seats.

Voting for SGA elections begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 22, and end at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, March 24.

Candidates for executive office must be full-time students, have and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and have served a minimum of two semesters in student government.

SGA Presidential Candidates:

Trenton Gaasch

In his three years at APSU, Trenton Gaasch, SGA presidential candidate and current SGA chief justice, has served in all three branches of APSU student government.

In the legislative branch, Gaasch served as a freshman SGA senator and chief clerk of the Senate. Gaasch later served in the judicial branch as a justice and associate justice before being appointed to the executive branch position of SGA chief justice.

“The purpose of SGA is to be the voice of the students,” Gaasch said. “I believe a lot of the students’ needs and concerns are neglected and thus, remain agitations rather than being pursued and brought to the attention of the necessary faculty and staff on campus.”

“I believe that change is only plausible if one is willing to designate the time and effort required to accomplish it,” Gaasch said.

Gaasch lists among his chief concerns: greater communication between students and SGA, better parking, increased ridership of the Peay Pickup, access to the Foy pool during the summer for all students registered full-time for the following fall and establishing more engaging activities for students on campus. Gaasch also wants to establish a “table of concern” in the MUC where students can directly address concerns to a member of the SGA.

As chief justice, Gaasch was the chair of the Internal Affairs Committee and constructed the Mudbowl Executive Committee. Gaasch has twice attended the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature, where he wrote legislation encouraging the incorporation of Spanish classes into kindergarten through fifth grade curriculum.

TISL is an annual legislative session conducted by Tennessee college students providing an opportunity to write and debate legislation. Some TISL legislation is submitted to the Tennessee General Assembly.

Gaasch is a junior biology major with a concentration in pre-med and a minor in chemistry. Gaasch plans on attending medical school and “eventually becoming a medical missions doctor.”

Kelvin Rutledge

Kelvin Rutledge, a candidate for SGA president, is a junior sociology and political science major with a minor in leadership.

“I have decided to run … because I believe that students want to see progress happen on campus and see that services are being used effectively,” Rutledge said. “I want to commit my time to ensuring that students are seeing APSU become progressively better in all facets of college life.”

Rutledge has served as a senior class SGA senator for one year and on the University Hearing Board and the University Diversity Committee. Rutledge also served four years in student government during high school.

Rutledge has titled his platform “Small initiatives to improve the big picture at APSU,” and cites “social development, safety development, student/staff relations development and media development” as the areas he would focus on in the coming year if elected.

During his time in SGA, Rutledge has written legislation for students “who were being cited for a specific [parking] lot, and seeing if the campus would pave and resign the lot,” and participated in the Online Course Committee where he has been involved in “looking at how to improve the quality of D2L content.”

Rutledge plans to pursue a master’s degree in higher education administration or sociology and hopes to work as a university official.

Vice Presidential Candidates:

Catherine “Cady” Denton

Vice Presidential candidate Catherine “Cady” Denton has served as an SGA senator for the College of Arts and Letters for the past two years. Denton has also been on the Public Relations committee and served as chief clerk of the Senate.

Denton lists among her primary concerns: advocating greater SGA involvement on campus, promoting “better senator retention,” “more legislation from senators,” increased Peay Pickup ridership, better ways to provide information to students and improving SGA sponsored events.

“I want to see that senators are more connected to their constituents,” Denton said. “I want to ensure that the student-elected, as well as appointed, representatives … are doing everything in their power to address the concerns of their constituents.”

This semester, Denton wrote and co-sponsored a resolution to make access to the Foy pool available free of charge during the summer to all students that have successfully completed the spring semester. Denton was also on the committee to review the smoking policy on campus.

Denton attended TISL in the fall and wrote and passed a piece of legislation “to set standards for security in Tennessee public schools.” Denton credits TISL with providing her a “crash-course in what it is like to participate in government at a state level” and gave her a “more well-rounded understanding of how the legislative branch works.”

Denton is a junior English major with a minor in psychology. After graduation, Denton plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in higher education.

Denton is unopposed.

Executive Secretary Candidates:

Jesse Brewer

Executive secretary candidate Jesse Brewer has previously served on SGA as a freshman senator and is currently serving as a senator for the College of Arts and Letters. Brewer is a sophomore.

“I care about APSU, which is why I am running for this position,” Brewer said. “If elected, I will work to hold a relaxed forum for students to voice their opinion of what they would like to see on campus. Properly pursued, students will have a voice in directing the legislation which senators write.”

Brewer is currently the president of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, the fundraising co-chair for the Dance Marathon and has participated in both Mudbowl and GHOST.

“I have high expectations of what SGA can accomplish,” Brewer said. “I know that, if elected, I will work with senators to encourage, unify and bring about great pieces of legislation to further enhance the college experience at APSU.”

Stephen “Drew” Smith

Stephen “Drew” Smith is a freshman history major and is running for the position of executive secretary. Smith is currently an SGA freshman senator.

“SGA has gotten away from the purpose of why we are elected,” Smith said. “When I joined SGA, I expected it to push me to be a voice for students, and I want to bring that back to the forefront of what SGA does.”

“I want to do everything possible to better the college for every student at APSU,” Smith said.

During high school, Smith was president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for two years. Smith also represented APSU at TISL in the fall, where he presented legislation that was passed.

After getting his undergraduate degree, Smith plans on attending the University of Tennessee School of Law and desires to ultimately get involved in national politics. TAS

By Wilson Cannon | Guest Writer

Over the course of Spring Break, while many students relaxed in the sun, members of APSU’s chapter of the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society stood on the State Senate floor to receive a special honor. As part of a joint resolution, the society was presented a framed proclamation to recognize their award for best chapter 2009.

“It was thrilling,” said Minoa Uffelman, the organizations faculty adviser. Uffelman and a small group of students and faculty traveled to Nashville on Thursday, March 11, to receive this special honor. The framed proclamation will soon be on permanent display in Harned Hall.

Out of several hundred chapters APSU was selected as best in their size division for 2009. Phi Alpha Theta had sponsored several events that year, including the hosting of two annual history conferences.

The History Honor Society is a social and academic organization that promotes the study of history through research and teaching. Students interested in joining must complete 12 hours of History with a 3.1 GPA. The society takes an active role on campus; taking part in several APSU events like G.H.O.S.T. and Plant the Campus Red, as well as private functions such as round table discussions with faculty.

David Nelson serves as assistant advisor for the organization. “It was a great experience,” Nelson said. “It was the first time I had been on the floor. I was surprised how small the room was; it seemed so

Nelson feels the award and state recognition will help bring attention to APSU and its achievements. When asked if the society will go for best chapter again this year he said, “Yes, we’re getting ready.”

By Greg Rabidoux

The debate over health care reform started with over-heated town hall meetings, many punctuated with loud, angry outbursts.

It ended with an ugly confrontation between Tea Party protesters and several Members of Congress on the west front of the U. S. Capitol. In the middle was an often bitter discussion over the future health of our nation.

Late Sunday, March 21, the U. S. House of Representatives, by a narrow vote (219-212), passed sweeping health care reform legislation. Far from perfect, it is a major step towards fixing our broken health care system.

The new law will greatly alter our system of care and provide coverage to millions of uninsured Americans. It seems destined to sit alongside the historic 1965 Medicare program in both its meaning and scope.

The debate itself was long (over a year), often fraught with deliberate distortions (“death panels” anyone?) and seemed a lifetime removed from the last time the subject was broached (“Hillarycare” is now Madame Secretary of State).

But before the pundits and prognosticators start obsessing about who won, who lost and the political price of passage (here in Tennessee, Democratic representatives Cooper, Gordon and Cohen voted for, their fellow Democrats Tanner and Davis against, and Republicans Wamp, Blackburn, Roe and Duncan against), let’s take a brief look at what this legislation will actually mean.

Nationally, the reform will eliminate pre-existing conditions as a reason for denial of coverage, close the Medicare “donut hole” for seniors, make recision the practice of dropping individuals once they get sick, unlawful, create an exchange where individuals can purchase policies and finally provide coverage to millions of currently uninsured Americans. In Tennessee alone, roughly 900,000 Tennesseans will no longer be without any basic health care coverage.

In Tennessee’s Congressional District 7, where I am a candidate for U. S. Congress, reform means improved coverage for over 500,000 residents, tax credits for up to 150,000 families and 13,200 small businesses to help with coverage and nearly 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries will no longer endure the huge gap between drug costs and subsidies.

Additionally, about 9,000 residents with pre-existing conditions will no longer be denied care and nearly 50,000 students will now be able to obtain coverage on their parents’ insurance plans. There will also be funding for 12 community health centers in the district and the cost of uncompensated care will be reduced by an estimated $42 million annually.

But perhaps just as importantly, tragedies like the parents of a little boy locally who had to hold a barbecue to try and raise funds to pay off their several hundred thousand dollar debt they had incurred due to his pre-existing illness and denial of coverage, will be a thing of the past.

My opponent, Marsha Blackburn called the passage of the bill in part a “death to freedom.” The only thing that died a bit more Sunday, March 21, was reasoned and informed debate. That seems to happen a lot when Mrs. Blackburn weighs in on important national matters.
Ironic really, since this reform will mean a renewed chance at life for so many Americans and Tennesseans who desperately need it.

By Jenelle Grewell | Assistant News Editor

The new Tennessee law to allow handguns to be carried by handgun-carry permit holders in parks, Public Chapter 428, went into affect Tuesday, Sept. 1. The Associated Press reported 70 cities across Tennessee have decided not to pass the new new Tennessee law.

Clarksville was one of the cities to opt out of the law in July. A month after Clarksville chose not to pass the law, City Council members struck down a resolution to repeal the ban proposed by Fourth Ward Councilman Wallace Redd.

Lance Biles, APSU director of Public Safety, said the law would not affect APSU campus. “The laws about guns on campus did not change,” Biles said.

The Associated Press went on to report a second vote on the new law after Clarksville Police Department Deputy Chief Mike Parr said 58 of the more than 13,000 crimes committed in Clarksville last year were committed in parks.

Supporters of the ban say it will protect park users, especially children. However, opponents say the ban will create a patchwork of rules that ruin the law’s intention, which is to make it possible for people with licenses to have more freedom in carrying guns into more public places.

“Any time you have a weapon, it gives you more reason to abuse them,” Biles said.

Some APSU students shared Biles’ concern. Robert Gallowitz, a sophomore marketing major said, “I think the law will cause more problems and that it is unnecessary to have hand guns in parks.”

Brooklyn Singleton, a freshman undecided major said everyone has a right to bear arms and doesn’t see the big deal.

“If people are concerned about the safety of children then they shouldn’t want guns to be carried, period, because children are not only in parks,” Singleton said.

It was also reported that with so many cities opting out of the new law, people in support of the law are pressing lawmakers to take the decision out of the hands of local city governments and up to the state.

“I think the decision should be left up to the state. [Allowing guns in parks] would just cause mass confusion from state to state,” Gallowitz said.

Richard Locker of the Memphis Commercial Appeal wrote on the newspaper’s Web site, www.commercialappeal.com, that he hopes Governor Phil Bredesen will do his part to urge legislature to “roll back some of the gun laws it passed this year at the urging,” he said, “of a relatively few but passionate people.”

Biles said this law would probably never affect the APSU campus. He said such a law is unnecessary when the campus has such a dedicated security force.

For the complete list of Handgun Carry Permit T.C.A. codes, log on to www.tennessee.gov/safety/handgun/handguntca.htm.

– Jenelle Grewell, Assistant News Editor

By Marlon Scott | News Editor

Republican congressman for the 3rd District of Tennessee, Zach Wamp, is campaigning to become the governor of Tennessee. Photo by Marlon Scott | NEWS EDITOR

“I continue to be surprised by the new things that I learn. Physics at Austin Peay, for example, I didn’t know that,” Wamp said. “That’s why good campaigns make for better law makers and leaders. Because if a good campaign means your out there asking questions and learning, then you are just preparing yourself to serve.”

Described as a “common sense conservative” on his Web site (www.house.gov/wamp/biography.shtm), Wamp served in Congress for 15 years before his campaign for governor began. His legislative accomplishments include taking steps to improve education by co-authoring the Fitness Integrated with Teaching (FIT) Kids Act and also establishing the Tennessee Valley Technology Corridor.

As a candidate for governor, Wamp continues to support education, citing it as the key to success after graduation. He has specific goals he wishes to achieve in education if elected governor.

“You will improve our standing, the bottom line, the end result and education in general if we start reading better,” Wamp said. “It takes a coordinated effort from top to bottom and you have got to engage everybody from foundations to local governments to daycare and child care centers. But it starts with the governor saying that basic reading is going to be job one in public education.”

When asked about the fears expressed by most college students including constantly improving school costs and unemployment after graduation, Wamp said, “A lot of students that I have represented have said ‘Would this be a good time for me to get another degree or stay in school and get a graduate degree?’ and I am honest with them and say ‘yes.’ If you can, do it, this is the time to do it. You retool when the job market is difficult and continue to expand your education because it is a good time frankly.”

The focus of Wamp’s 20/20 Vision campaign is preparing Tennessee for the future. He asks Tennesseans what they want Tennessee to be in the year 2020.

“The 20/20 Vision came out of my heart because every generation, I think a governor needs to surface that has a long term agenda,” Wamp said. “Not just managing today’s problems.”

Wamp’s stance on issues and the last stops on his 20/20 Vision tour can be found at www.ZachWamp.com.
He and his wife, Kim, have two children in college: their son, Weston, and daughter, Coty.

– Marlon Scott, News Editor