2A
NEWS
February 28,20, 2014 September 2013 Vol. 89, No. 14 Vol. 89, No. 3 online at thelink.harding.edu
OPINIONS
3&4A
SPORTS
1&2B
FEATURES
3B
CAMPUS LIFE
4B
Searcy, Ark., 72149
ARKANSAS HEALTHCARE SERIES, PART THREE
Private option continues to struggle in Arkansas House by Bradley Cain beat reporter Jared Dryden copy editor
The Arkansas House has not yet passed the appropriation bill that includes the private option plan for Medicaid expansion, despite voting on the issue four
times in the past two weeks. Arkansas legislation requires 75 percent of each legislative body to pass appropriation bills. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the Arkansas Senate passed the bill 27-8 last week. In the House, the vote hit a high of 72 in favor of the bill last Thursday. Since then, the
House has not voted again on the bill, despite having opportunities every day this week. Every day the House meets, it is a “game-time decision” whether to vote on the bill or not, according to Speaker of the House Davy Carter. If the bill is not passed, $89 million in funds must be cut from the next budget.
This is especially problematic considering that a recent tax cut will remain in place regardless of the bill’s success, according to www.healthaffairs.org. Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe said he hopes other states considering similar health care approaches to Arkansas’ are not concerned that the bill is having
trouble being passed. He attributes the bill’s lack of success to the abnormally high supermajority requirement, not opposition to the bill. According to the Arkansas Times, a bill detailing the state’s funding of the Medicaid program must be passed by March 6, when the fiscal session will end.
Following protests, arrests, Ukraine ousts president by Kalvin Graham student writer
VIRGINIA “VIVI” VITALONE | THE BISON
Freshman Penny Turpin, who plays one of the five witches in “Macbeth,” brews up some toil and trouble during rehearsal on Wednesday night. “Macbeth” opened on the Ulrey stage last night. amden -- Henry
HU theatre tackles the dark world of ‘Macbeth’ by Cole Mokry opinions editor
This weekend, the Ulrey Performing Arts Center is hosting a production of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” This is the first time in 10 years Harding has put on one of Shakespeare’s works, according to director Britton Lynn, associate professor of theatre.“Macbeth”was selected because of its recognition as one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies and its sinister nature, which causes it to stand out amongst the generally upbeat tone of previous Harding productions. To help refresh the play, which was written in 1606, the theatre department is incorporating new technology into the play. “We’re slowly moving into the world of projected scenery,” Lynn said. “We tried it for the first time last year, and we’re doing it again for Macbeth to see what we’re capable of.” David Goble, a senior theatre major, is playing the role of Macbeth. He said the production will include smoke, lighting and choreographed stage combat that makes it a
Three months of anti-government protests in the capital of Ukraine came to a head last weekend as protesters took control of critical government buildings and the presidential residence. Protesters took to the streets in late November, objecting the pro-Russian policies of former president Viktor Yanukovych. Following mass arrests on Nov. 30, between 800,000 and one million Ukrainians filled Kiev’s Independence Square to show support for joining the European Union, according to the BBC. Snipers deployed by the former president and the Ministry of the Interior opened fire on the protesters on Feb. 20 as they approached parliament, leaving 88 dead. In the days since, Ukraine has found itself politically torn between Russia and the West (BBC). With the former president on the run since Saturday and a warrant out for his arrest, questions about what is next for Ukraine are being raised by Russia, the West and, most importantly, Ukrainians themselves. According to the Guardian, the country has become divided between Russia and the EU with the western half of the country favoring an EU-based, democratic future, while the East and South, specifically the autonomous region of Crimea, have openly pledged support
to Russia. In the Southeast, the city of Sevastopol, home to a Russian naval base and around 25,000 Russian troops, has raised a Russian flag atop city hall and begun forming militias to intimidate Kiev’s pro-West revolutionaries, according to The Guardian. U.S. national security adviser Susan Rice warned Russia that it would be a “grave mistake” to deploy its military in the region, according to CNN. The warning was acknowledged by Russia, which then seized the opportunity to throw a diplomatic punch West: “We have seen the expert evaluations of Susan Rice, which are based on repeated U.S. military interventions in multiple places around the world, especially where the U.S. administration is of the opinion that the norms of Western democracy are in danger or ruling regimes begin too clearly ‘to get out of hand’,” a Russian foreign ministry official said, according to non-governmental news source Interfax. Arina Pluzhnivoka, a 26-year-old in Kiev, said the Ukranian people have been unified through the revolution. “Everybody (does) something for another, (gives) help to each other,” Pluzhnivoka said. “Everybody who wants and can (brings) food, warm clothes, medical (supplies) and other things to (Independence Square). We changed with this revolution. We want to be a happy country - an independent country.”
A Look at where money from 1% tax increase will go. VIRGINIA “VIVI” VITALONE | THE BISON Macbeth, played by senior David Goble, walks into a circle of witches during rehearsal on Wednesday night.
truly interactive experience. “We do some serious stage combat in the show; there’s blood, some people die on stage,” Goble said. “There’s one moment in particular I’m excited about. If the audience is sleeping, it’ll wake them up.” James Morgan,a sophomore marketing major who plays Banquo, said the darker nature of the play has encouraged the cast to take the production more seriously. “There’s not much in the way of comedy in this play,” Morgan said. “Comedy is more natural for people of our generation, but being serious is a bit more of a challenge.” The costumes for “Macbeth” were designed by a group of students for a class project, which Lynn said is
highly unusual and was a new experience for everyone involved. Very few changes were made to the script, holding true to the original Shakespearean dialogue.This was done intentionally to maintain the dramatic feel of the play. “‘Macbeth’ is the least flowery of Shakespeare’s tragedies; it’s compactly written and the least poetic,” Lynn said. “Shakespeare deliberately uses language that reads like a haunted house. You can’t just tell the story of Macbeth without getting into this otherworldly dimension.” Tickets for “Macbeth” are on sale at hardingtickets.com for $10 or free with a CAB passport. Show times are Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. and March 1 at 2 and 7 p.m.
Projection for Use of Sales Tax Revenue STREET RESURFACING AND IMPROVEMENTS M��� s����t� h��� n�� b��� r����f���� i� 2� y����, n��� s���� 2���� A����x����e�� 1�� m���� o� s����t� a� a����x����e�� $1����0� p�� m��� t� r����f���� $1����,��� a����l��
Drainage
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Police patrol vehicles C����e a� a����l r����c����t p����a�� $1����,���
relocate Fire Station # 2 B����r l����i�� w��� i����v� r����n�� t����. C����n��� I�� 1 r����g a�� a����d����i�� m��� i� n����s���� $1����,���
Outdoor Olympic sized pool and related facilities P����d� p��� c����e� t��� r����c�� t�� 1��� p��� t��� w�� c����d d�� t� a��-r����e� m����e����e i����s� $5����,���
Staffing Needs C����t����e�� h��� a�� r����n q����t� e����y���� $6����,��� o��� e���� y����
These are only a few uses of the money from the increase. information from searcy city council. graphic by tyler carmical
BISON BASEBALL
BISONS FOR CHRIST
TOWN AND GOWN
Baseball team strives to improve, continue strong season.
Executive board talks theme, what to expect for annual day of service.
Part one of a series about the cooperation between Harding and Searcy.
SPORTS, 1B
NEWS, 2A
FEATURES, 3B
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