Batman is known to many as a hero of vigilante justice. Scarred as a young child only to exemplify one of the most prominent citizens of a mythical metropolis that can not only endure a punch, poison gas, but the loneliness of a hero.

You see, for a hero to be a hero, they have to have a tragic loss. It’s an incredible motif found not only in The Dark Knight, but in much of the classical literature. Heroes don’t accept heroism because of a desire, perceived glory or necessity of heroism. Batman’s tragic loss was of a love, which is amazingly common in literature, Rachael Dawes. The film The Dark Knight, at it’s core and superficially, details the battle between the innate good or evil emanating from the human spirit. Do people do the right thing when pressured to their last breaths? Do people care about others when they have absolutely no stake in them? Scholars of Hobbes and Locke have argued over this for about two centuries now. But the situation goes back much farther than Batman or even the Social Contract.

Batman had  many things, including diminishing crime, a good income, an incredible butler (not only of a personal servant, but of a person). He also had friends that he could trust in when the night was at its darkest. But is that really what he wanted? Not at all. Batman, representing heroism, the benevolence of mankind wanted ‘normality’. He didn’t want to be a hero. The money, glory, and the satisfaction derived from his unprecedented altruism. No, his heroism was thrust upon him.

There was another man who had the ultimate heroism thrust upon him. Jesus Christ is more than just a man, or even more than divine. Jesus gives people a hope to grasp on to. In the movie previously discussed, that hope is a placebo effect from the good side of Harvey Dent. (I’d like to discuss ‘chance’ in a later post.) Humanity really has no quantifiable way to determine if Jesus is not a placebo, but that doesn’t conclude to not believe. Faith is required for happiness, not just Christian faith, but a human faith channeled in many different things. It just happens, for a valid reason I’m sure, that a Christian faith is the most widely accepted in the world. This indicates that the majority of people, wealthy, poor, intelligent, dumb, beautiful and smart have confidence that Christianity is the most promising faith ever presented.

The interesting part is not the miracles, lives changed or incredible nature of the Bible and it’s stories; but the fact that Jesus did not want to die. He did not want the heroism of mankind. He did not want the pain, nor glory of being that hope. It was thrust upon Him. Jesus did not choose that life, and I would imagine that no one but God knows who, if anything, chose the tragedy of hope for Him.

This story was orignally written for The Bison, Harding’s official newspaper by Kayla Studivan. WLN would like to thank her for allowing us the use of this article.

Although these people resemble the ones found on Harding Universities campus, they are indeed not the same individuals.

Perhaps you have seen them, sitting in chapel, feasting in the caf, wandering around campus or sitting on desks in class. They roam across campus attracting curious glances–but no matter their actions or the weather, one thing is for sure, they always wear a cape.

The “Cape People” have captured Harding’s attention leading to the creation of a Facebook group so intriguing even parents are joining in. In an effort to find the truth about these creatures whom strut about in all their cape glory, I have spoken with them and lived to tell about it.

First, the Cape People are not actually “cape people.” They wear cloaks. According to www.dictionary.com, a cloak is a loose outer garment that covers or conceals. Meanwhile, a cape is a sleeveless garment of various lengths, fastened around the neck and falling loosely from the shoulders, worn separately or attached to a coat or other outer garment.

The people who wear cloaks have set an inspiring example to Harding for not being afraid to wear something unusual and embrace something they care about.

“I like being different and seeing the funny looks I get from wearing a cloak. Sometimes I dress up just for fun,” said sophomore John Aders, who added that cloaks are warm and entertaining.
Due to the length of the cloak, and the warmth it provides they are not functional for every day wear, but cloak people take pleasure in wearing them when the weather suits.

“I don’t wear it for the purpose of making a statement, but I often think there’s a general shortage of thought in the world, so if I unintentionally inspire people to analyze my deeper motives until they find something meaningful, I’d be glad of it,” cloak-wearer Daniel Benskin said.

I questioned them about some puzzling rumors and found these results: they are not abnormally cold, they do not sleep in their cloaks, holy water and garlic powder will not kill them, and they are not trying to start a new religious cult.

There are also not certain things that cloak people do. Like the rest of us, they are just friends who are trying to entertain themselves outside of class. They wear cloaks for fun, they stroll to chapel together, and they even sword fight together.

“The sword fighting is a real, historical style, based on European methodology with a two-edged sword,” Bethany Howell explained after a group of cloak people were seen sword fighting. “The sword fighting group is known as the Dyssack Trainers and they are on their way to becoming an official academic club on campus. This is not necessarily attached to being one of the ‘cape people’, it just happens that most of these ‘cape people’ are interested in enough historical things that we train in historical fighting methods.”

The sword fighting and unique clothing has intrigued many students including Cloak Observing Expert Andrew English. “I have been watching them for over a year, and I do not think that they will shoot us as long as we do not do anything to aggravate them,” English said. “I am completely fascinated with them; I think it is excellent that people can express themselves in such a way.”

The cloak people are not the only ones on campus who try unusual things, before we judge each other let us find out about our differences and learn from each others point of view.
The cloak idea came from some friends who could not bear the idea of letting their Halloween costumes go to waste after only one use. They enjoyed garment as did others who joined in. Although it is not the typical Harding outfit, unless you are in choir, it is an interesting piece of history and fantasy.

The cloak people seem exceptionally friendly and willing to talk about their choice of clothing. However, like all of us, they have a good sense of humor, but can be offended.
“If jokes are lighthearted and not meant to be something derogatory, then I have no problem with people finding amusement in me or my friends. If, however, the jokes were made with the intention of injury or simply out of spite, then I most certainly will take issue with the speaker,” Howell said.
“It’s nice to see people with imaginations who are not afraid to have a little fun,” junior Erin Rigney said.

There’s been an outbreak of bank robberies by two women known as the “Barbie Bandits”, and they’ve recently been caught. Go crime-fighting! Detective McGruff probably had something to do with their capture.

Anyways, the highlights of the cnn article says that women tend to be more practical planning bank theives. What? Nothing against the women that do think and use logic, but isn’t that known more widely as a male trait? I don’t know about you, but whenever I consider committing a felony, I tend to think out my actions so I don’t get caught. Something along the lines of an explosion across town to distract the police for at least enough time for me to get away, hook up with a private charter jet to land in Peru before the police know who committed the crime.

I would also wear gloves.

I think i’ll hire these girls for when I start my Peruvian drug cartel operations.

If you are a Police Officer reading this, I am kidding. This is sattire, I do not have plans for blowing up buildings, robbing banks, and fleeing the country. Honest.

I’m pretty sure everyone has been watching the news about this thing they call a stimulus bill. As a political science and economics major, I have no idea what that is, but I read some of it. (I’m a nerd who couldn’t sleep) And as a student, I kind of wanted to know how this thing would affect me, Joe the student.

There’s about fifteen million being awarded to ‘preserving historically black colleges and universities’. Harding University is the antithesis of what that is, so that’s 15 mil. I won’t be getting. Darn.

There’s also a lot of rhetoric about “the secretary [HRC, if my brain is working correctly] shall evalute the need of each institution or organization and allot funds accordingly”. That’s paraphrased, but only because I couldn’t find a figure attached to it.

It also says that they’re going to spend a bunch of money (what part about this ISN’T a bunch of money) on making medical records at smaller hospitals and universities who don’t already have it electronic. That’s wonderful for me if the US government decides they like Harding University.

I don’t know why anyone would read the blue book in the picture. I thought it looked cool. In high school I did read a book called “the secret life of bee’s”, which freaking sucked. I’d rather read the stimulus bill again than that, and its about a fourth of the length.

Bueller? Bueller?

Anyone? Anyone?

Ben Stein is coming to HU’s campus this Tuesday, and I’m pretty sure everyone and their grandmother here is more excited than if the Pope converted to the Church of Christ. Stein, as we all know, is a noted economist, lawyer, Jew and comedian. However, he is also involved in a movement for the propagation of Intelligent Design. This does not mean Creationism, as his new movie Expelled- No Intelligence Allowed makes sure to pointed out.

I recently saw the film, and despite the annotation of a particular College Republicans chairman, I greatly enjoyed it. It was funny when it needed to be, intelligent, easy to follow and Stein tried to make it as unbiased as possible; however he still let you know that he has a point to prove. The only problem I have with the documentary is that he doesn’t delve into who the evil evolutionary elite are, and why they’re pushing their agenda to suppress freedom.

I think you should go see the movie, I have a feeling that’s what he’ll be talking about Tuesday…

Recently (today), Senator Tom Daschle withdrew his nomination to the the Secretary of Health and Human Services for our great nation. “Was he not healthy enough?” you might ask, well, as far as I know, he’s perfectly healthy. “Was he not service-y enough?” you also might ask, thats got a little grey area, because that’s the reason he’s not going to be in Obama’s cabinet. “Was he not human enough?” is the third question you’re probably asking. If the only two things in [human] life that are guaranteed are death and taxes, then no, Tom Dashcle falls short of this.

But really, I’m glad to see he’s not going to be getting promoted. I don’t really know enough about him to say “Hurray!” about this, but it’s a good sign to see Obama trying to maintain a clean, ethical cabinet. Some people are going to say Sen. Daschle is a hypocrite. He’s a democrat after all, why raise our taxes while not paying your own, right?

Maybe he heard the colonial anthem like this, “No taxation without for representation”

Okay, enough ragging on Daschle, he’s not going to be in the cabinet anyways, I’m done.

I REALLY want those glasses by the way, and I have perfect vision.

NOW WITH VIDEO!!! (props to Lori Klein [one of my professors here at HU] for showing me the video) This is one of his campaign ads. South Dakotans don’t worry about efficiency or emissions, couldn’t imagine why…

All January haters, unite! February is here at last! Hear hear!

February is a great month, it’s short, and it has one of the greatest holidays. Groundhogs Day. I remember in kindergarten getting out of school for Groundhogs Day once. It was the greatest thing! Instead of going to school to play with legos, I stayed at home to play with legos! How cool is that?? I also probably dug something up in the backyard, but thats another useless story.

There is absolutely no point to this post. I just felt like there should be a picture of a groundhog on Whats Left Now, and this seemed like a great time for it.

enjoy.

In order to keep up with the sports theme for the latter end of this week…

This blog may primarily support Barack Obama, but not Super Bowl Sunday. If it weren’t on a Sunday, we should get the day off of work. I know Stephanie O’Brian (aka; Cheshire or Arkansauce) and I are very much Green Bay Packers fans, and I was so distraught to think that our favored number 4 is probably finishing his career as a Jet. But enough of that.

I am rooting for the Arizona Cardinals in the Super Bowl. I’ve never liked the Steelers, and now Barack Obama has announced that second to the Chigaco Bears, they’re his favorite team! I can understand him liking the evil that is the Bears franchise, but he did live in Illinois for a while. So I’ll get over it. Maybe Obama just couldn’t agree with McCain even after the election.

Let’s go Arizona.

In Dallas, Texas high schools play basketball. Wahoo! Basketball is a great sport, aerobic, fun to watch, and if I were any good, I would say fun to play.

I really really suck at basketball.

Anyways, 100 points is a great amount in a lot of things. In basketball, it is uncommon, but not unheard of. High schools typically don’t do this well though. This Dallasian high school did particularly well though. 100 points and maintaining a shutout. 100-0.

ZERO!

I like winning. I am a very competitive person, but I also realize, if I don’t have the slightest proficiency, I’ll leave it to the others. This means that if someone is good at something, especially sports, we should encourage that behavior. Talent should be rewarded. Okay, so let’s get to why I’m writing this post. The coach of the team that won was fired simply because he would not apologize for beating the other team so badly, and why should he?

The man lost his job because he was good at it. Tell me how that makes sense. I don’t think he should get his job back, the high school probably didn’t pay him enough anyways, I think he should find a new job, and with my limited knowledge of his career, he should look into NCAA basketball.

If you don’t believe me, please, don’t take my word for it, look at this link.

Searcy, Arkansas: High of 34, Foggy, Raining, Icy,

basically the farthest thing from an ideal climate.

Sometimes I wonder why I’m here.

Lima, Peru: High of 73, Clear skies, Sunny, next to the Pacific Ocean, basically where I want to be right now.

This is usually a political blog, but I  don’t know anything about Peruvian politics.

I just checked the Peruvian Times (because I am a gringo and thought it would be a good idea) and other than a swing south (no pun intended) in the economy, there is not much to speak of.

I call for Harding University to abandon its Searcy campus and relocate to the beaches (or mountains, if I can’t have both) of Peru. We could take over the site in the picture, just a thought. *Insert some BS about how HU students need/want ancient Incan culture appreciation.*

Let’s go. If you can’t find it, its the country that has a bunch of flags that look like this: