Skidmore Unofficial is the first to call it: Barack Obama (feat. Joe Biden) is the next president of the United States. Yes, that’s right, we called it. That’s like, 10 minutes before CNN, Fox, CBS, C-Span (2), (C)NBC, Telemundo, and even BET. Take that, televised newstations.
People have never cared so much about the color of a state, nor the political endeavors of hockey moms as they do now. We’ve all heard way too much about this election, and I for one am ready to see a picture other than Obama or McCain on the cover of the Times. But, complacency is no longer an option. Many of us have gotten so invested in the potential outcome that the idea of an opponent winning will determine the extent to which we drink whiskey on a daily basis.
This is too important to let slip by. Don’t let what happened to the Georgians happen to you. If you believe you’re a registered voter here in Saratoga Springs, and are turned away at the polls (@ the ICC in Case Center), you have options:
I’m tired of hearing about all of this voting business. Skidmore Unofficial is tired of posting about it. So, with one last plea, VOTE!
After you vote you can head over to Case Center where the people who brought you that series of Debate watching parties (Skidmore Dems) will be hosting an Election results party. (fbook).
Tonight at 7pm in Gannett campus heavy hitters Academic Council and The Honors Forum present a faculty panel on the politics of environmental and energy concerns. This panel offers a great opportunity to take a look at current and future economic policy without the circular rhetoric of political debates. Faculty panelist include economics professor Roxanna Julia, who will be talking about energy policy and global warming, Chemistry professor Bob Winkler, will be talking about the future of Ethanol as a fuel, and Bob Turner from the Govt. Dept. addressing environmental issues in Washington, DC. This event is part of the Honor Forum’s yearly Shades of Grey panel series where “controversial” issues are brought to the campus for discussion. And while not hard hitting on the controversy front, environmental issues have become a hot topic this election season.
But, this little ditty of a panel is just a warm up, on Wednesday at 5:30 in Gannett a rare student panel will address the question “Who owns your vote & what is it worth?” Moderated by Professor Bob Turner the talk will begin with the screening of clips from the film 18 in ’08 and focus around the idea of student and youth participation in voting and other democratic shit. We think its only fitting that after 8 weeks of hearing some geezers talk about how important it is too vote the college finally sat down some students and got talking.
So make sure to mosey over to both these important discussions, if only for the vegetable platters served after.
(fbook)
Following in the footsteps of both Mads Vassar and Wesleying, Skidmore Unofficial took some time to snoop around check out which Skidmore professors have been tossing money into the coffers of our national parties. With the integrity of the candidate in mind, campaign donations over two hundred dollars are made public and make for some interesting Sunday afternoon reading/borderline privacy invasion. Huffington Post’s Fundrace ’08 allows you to search campaign contributions by name, address, and employer; and surprise surprise Skidmore professors seem to be pennying up for change. A national search of the occupation “professor” brings up a pretty large—but fairly predictable—discrepancy, with fewer than one million dollars being donated to the Republican Party and close to fourteen million to the DNC.
Bored in the library? Use Fundrace to see which candidates the parents of your friends support (more fun than it looks).
Sheldon Solomon is interviewed in this months Scientific American about his research in Terror Management Theory (TMT) and how it applies to the upcoming election. Solomon’s TMT shows that “in times of crisis, when fears of death are aroused, people are more likely to embrace leaders who provide psychological security by making their citizens feel like they are valued contributors to a great mission to eradicate evil.” The political effects of which can be seen in George’s popularity after 9/11 and Obama’s popularity now.
Attention Students,
So we know it’s kinda under the radar, but there’s an election coming up. In case you missed it, the results are in: the economy’s in the shitter. Our economic potential, however, is now more closely tied to our environmental policy than ever, with renewable energy and other green firms being some of the few areas still growing under the current crunch.
So while we know you’ll all be voting (CASE CENTER, NOV 4th!!!!) with your stocks and student loans on your mind, remember that the renewable energy, cleaner cars, and the carbon markets are sectors for GROWTH, JOBS and INNOVATION, representing a sustainable way to salvage our economy.
Click continue to see where the big boys stand, courtesy of our (The EAC’s) political gurus
The third and final presidential debate is scheduled for 9 pm tonight. Will Gentleman Johnny take the gloves off and bring up kinda-former-terrorist-but-nowadays-respected-Chicago-civic-leader Bill Ayers? How obvious will it be that Obama is just trying to run out the clock? Just what the hell is ACORN, anyways? For the (undoubtedly canned) answers to these questions and more, head by the Spa and check it out.
(But probably just get a couple of 40s, some buddies, and watch it in your room while listening closely for the phrases “maverick,” “change,” “last eight years” and “my friends.”)
Just in time for this weeks debate the Skidmore Dems are coincidently hosting another debate watching party. This time they’re throwing bi-partisanship to the dogs and accepting pizza paid for by the campaign for Jeff Wait who is running for City Court Judge in Saratoga County. Go ahead, take advantage of the lax campaign funding laws and educate yourself on the Maverick John and Mr. Obama. Tuesday October 7th 9pm in the SPA.
Tonight you probably have two objectives: study for that neuro exam, and loiter on Caroline St in an attempt to spot some Knicks players. Well, you diligent basketball fans, we ask you to pencil another event into your Thursday night agenda, the Vice Presidential debate at 9pm.
There is no need to force yourself to watch the whole thing (youtube duh), but its a good idea to check these things out and what not. We hate to get all preachy and p.diddy-esque to you guys but you should at least make an attempt here, I mean seriously folks. We hate to get in the way of your typical Thursday night have-so-much-fun-you-cant-wake-up-for-class mischief but, it is important you watch because the VP candidates have taken the spotlight in this election for reasons that include controversial motions in Congress and hilarious ignorance way up in Alaska.
The debate will be shown in your friends dorm room and in Gannett @ 9pm.
The Film Appreciation Troupe will be screening “Why We Fight,” a film by Eugene Jarecki. Although Maverick himself may not be appearing on campus, you should prepare yourselves for a riveting 98 min run time (assuming you’re in Davis—3pm Sunday, Oct. 5—and not in Norway where they only have to sit through 55 min of Maverick mayhem) of gut wrenching, arm not reaching above your shoulder entertainment. Thanks to those wonderful folks at Wikipedia, here’s a brief synopsis:
“Why We Fight describes the rise and maintenance of the United States military-industrial complex and its fifty-year involvement with the wars led by the United States to date, especially its 2003 Invasion of Iraq. The documentary asserts that in every decade since World War II, the American public was told a lie, so that the Government (incumbent Administration) could take them to war and fuel the military-industrial economy maintaining American political dominance in the world. Interviewed about this matter, are politician John McCain, political scientist and former-CIA analyst Chalmers Johnson, politician Richard Perle, reporter William Kristol, writer Gore Vidal, and public policy expert Joseph Cirincione.”
