The Pioneer Log, March 4, 2011

Opinions 5

Rules mitigate excitement of Manor House takeback

BY ALIX FINNEGAN Staff Writer I love the Frank Manor House. There, I said it. I absolutely love it, from the quaint stone circle driveway outside to the cushy chairs and winding staircases inside. And every time I pull open the heavy wooden door to enter, I feel a wave of joy wash over me. That being said, Im not entirely sure I love the new study hour at the Manor House. ASLC passed the resolution opening the Manor House for study hour so that students would be able to use and enjoy one of the most beautiful places on campus. Hearing about the resolution filled my little heart with happiness because it was completely ridiculous that students couldnt use the lounge in the first place. Yet when I found myself in Armstrong Lounge a couple Mondays ago, I was more than a little disappointed. My imagined version of study hour involved me curled up on an ornate couch next to the fireplace, alternately reading quietly and chatting with the cutie next to me while sipping hot chocolate. Monday night, however, found me sitting alone and upright (no feet allowed on the furniture!) on a couch in the corner. The stifling silence and periodic page-flipping that resonated through Armstrong Lounge made for a slightly uncomfortable atmosphere and reminded me of an uptight library. The list of rules handed to me on my way in crushed almost every single piece of my fantasy: no curling up, no chatting and no hot chocolate or any other food for that matter. I understand that Frank Manor is a historically significant, protected building. Its beautiful, and should remain so. But do we have to have so many restrictions to preserve its beauty? I dont think some intellectual conversation or soft background music would detract from learning or harm the building, and I would even be willing to give up my hot chocolate to achieve this. Maybe Im the only one that found study hour to be awkward and hushed, but in all honesty, if I wanted to sit by myself uncomfortably in silence, Id go to Watzeks quiet zone.

ILLUSTRATION BY KATE OWENS

Sustainability is Sexy: A weekly column dedicated to environmental dialogue

BY RACHEL YOUNG Staff Writer Would you rather drown or starve to death? Scientists predict that human-created climate change will perpetuate poverty, increase flooding, drought and hurricanes, displace up to 5 million people and swallow up countries into the ocean. A decision needs to be made about who will receive aid for climate change. However, the decisionmaking process is under serious contention. There is no international consensus on how to rank future disasters and future need. As a result, countries have been battling it out to obtain access to the limited funds for climate adaptation. The countries that are deemed the most vulnerable will have access to the money that is set aside. Any list created will essentially determine which countries will get aid first and which will get no aid at all. Figuring out finance allocations is necessary for many nations sustainability. The situation is controversial. Many scientists think that China is the country most vulnerable to climate impacts. But with a GDP of $4.99 trillion, does China need the aid money? Similarly, the very existence of many small island nations is threatened by sea levels rising. Countries such as Tuvalu and Seychelles have populations of 10,000 or less and are generally middle class. Do small island nations deserve the aid money? In contrast, countries in Africa are likely to see increases of drought, resulting in increases of hunger and starvation. However, as these countries have poverty issues already, how can we determine what is amplified by climate change and what is not? There is simply no objective, scientific way of categorizing a ranking of 100plus countries in order of who is more vulnerable than another, said Saleem Huq, head of the climate change group at the U.K.-based International Institute for Environment and Development. The moment someone comes up with a list, theres a problem. This issue came to light at the U.N. climate change conference (COP16) in Cancun, Mexico in Dec. 2010. The G-77 group of developing nations disputed which countries should classified as vulnerable. In 2009, this issue caused tensions between developing countries when African nations were deemed particularly vulnerable, leaving Latin American countries unhappy over what they felt was the dismissal of the region. Unfortunately, there is no simple solution when it comes to aid, especially climate aid. This could be seen as money grubbing for cor-

My eyes are up here

A weekly feminist column for everyone

Lines form for aid in response to impacts of climate change

rupt leaders trying to sit quietly and receive free aid money, or it could be the only chance to provide relief to the nations most vulnerable in the case of a major natural disaster.

Say no to budget cuts

BY MAGGIE HENNESSEY Staff Writer When I think about womens rights and my personal views on feminism, one of the first things I recognize is that the the idea of feminism is complex. Framed in the history of all feminists before me, it is a strange and poignant amalgamation of literal rights such as access to health care (birth control, exams, abortions, etc.), as well as the simple fact that we can choose to access all of these things or not, that women can take their health into their own hands. It is all too common that I have seen my government try and take away one, if not all, of these qualifications that I deem a basic human right. Recently, the House of Representatives passed sweeping cuts to the US budget, showing the ugly side of government. By far the worst budget cut in this conservative game plan is the cut of all funding for Planned Parenthood. Yes, my friends, they want to cut ALL funding. Shoved in alongside continued sponsorship of NASCAR (a major military recruiting outlet), prohibition of the EPA measuring greenhouse gasses produced by factories and corporations and refusal to set aside $5 million for organic farming research, this legislation is a huge blow to women all over the country. But this battle for womens reproductive rights is an ongoing fight that has members of both sides of the spectrum participating. In opposition to the strongly conservative turn in our countrys legislation, many major pro-choice organizations like NARAL (National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws) are petitioning for insurance companies to include birth control in their health care plans for women. Currently, 28 states require that birth control be included, despite the fact that one in three women have struggled with the cost of prescription birth control. If Republicans are going to cut funding for Planned Parenthood, they better have a backup plan for low-income women to have access to medical exams and birth control. Also, considering the fact that 98 percent of women use some form of birth control in their lifetime, it seems like a downright stupid thing to take away one of the major organizations that provide this simple resource. What struck me the most in my research on this topic was the simple fact that less than ten percent of all Planned Parenthood clients request abortions. Most simply want cheap birth control so they can engage in healthy and safe sex. This budget cut isnt just about right-wingers disliking abortions, its simply another sad attempt by conservatives to keep women from having ready access to health resources.

A student weighs in on the benefits of being open to meeting new people in the face of LC comforts.
BY LEAH POTTER-WEIGHT Staff Writer I recently went to a party in Northeast Portland where I only knew two people, but the atmosphere was welcoming and fresh. Everyone there had come to Portland for a variety of reasons and had met in a variety of ways. I was impressed that all these folks had come to this city knowing no one, and yet, through their willingness and openness, had been able to meet and attract others with similar good vibes.I was stoked. I felt that their circle of friendship was not closed, but that it was an open and evolving circle that relied on those within it to be open to evolution. How does this relate to Lewis & Clark? Unfortunately, I dont think it relates much at all. There is comfort and friendship here that enables us to get cozy as these four years pass by. However, cozy is not necessarily fresh. While Im into comforts and feeling at home, I dont want that to be my whole life, especially not my party life. There are so many possible connections to be made at this school, and infinite ones beyond our campus borders. I dont want to be in circles that close; Id rather be part of groups that open and expand. Typically, LC parties seem to involve spending fun and rambunctious time with our alreadyestablished friends while surrounded by people we dont know who are doing the same thing. I delight in the idea of a party that is about friendsto-be and friends-fornow. Im starting to think that the rest of the world parties this way, but in this tiny school, it takes about four years to catch on.

Breathe in that fresh party air

The desiccation on this landscape reflects one of the many consequences of climate change.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RACHEL YOUNG

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