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College Republicans raise veteran funds

The University of Wisconsin College Republicans are holding a weeklong fundraiser through Friday in efforts to collect donations for the Madison Veterans Center.

UW College Republicans chair Sara Mikolajczak said organization members will be on Library Mall all week collecting donations and giving away cookies from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

College Republicans are raising money to show their appreciation for the veterans who served America's military, Mikolajczak said.

"With Veterans Day coming up on Sunday and there being no concrete plans of doing anything for it, we thought we would take it into our own hands," she said. "It is the least we can do for all the veterans who have given to our country."

Mattie Duppler, College Republicans vice chair, said College Republicans are accomplishing much more than just raising money for the veterans during this week.

"So far we are having a great response from people walking by. People are stopping and asking questions," Duppler said. "We want to raise money for the Veterans, but I think it's great to also get the message out there that Veterans Day is on November 11."

Oliver Kiefer, College Democrats chair, said he commends College Republicans' efforts to support Veterans Day.

"There are certain issues that call you to put aside politics," Kiefer said. "We all need to honor those who have served us."

College Republicans also held a meeting Tuesday with former longtime WTMJ-TV meteorologist and current state Rep. Jim Ott, R-Mequon, who said few people are questioning global warming, and those who do are being ridiculed.

"You hear a lot about us having a consensus that global warming is a phenomenon," Ott said. "Well, you know what, science it not a consensus. People challenging this finding are being shut down."

According to Ott, while there are many unknowns remaining in the debate over changing climate, he said there are some things that are undeniable.

"We do know that background levels of carbon dioxide have increased in the atmosphere," Ott said. "CO2 levels in the atmosphere are up about 35 percent in the last 200 years."

Ott said people need to realize there are many factors contributing to climate change.

"There are a lot of other things that affect temperature besides man activity," Ott said. "If you are willing to assume that the climate is man-made then you are figuring that there is nothing else operating on climate change."

According to Ott, a large group of Democrats think the Safe Climate Act — the bill that would require Wisconsin to lower its CO2 emissions — is the answer. He said he stood up against this bill.

"I was one of three people who showed up to testify against it," Ott said. "This legislation will have zero impact."

UW sophomore Sheila Casserly said she enjoyed Ott's lecture but disagreed with some of his ideas.

"I thought he was a good speaker and is obviously knowledgeable about weather, but I think that global warming is an issue," Casserly said. "I think it is hard to say that it is not happening and can't primarily be blamed on humans."