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(12/10/04 4:09am)
Our freedom is being jeopardized, my friends. But not by any outside influence; rather, by our own inner fears. \nOn Dec. 6, the New York Times reported a controversy had erupted in Denver when a group that organizes the city's annual Parade of Lights event rejected a religiously-based float a church wanted to enter into the parade. The private, non-profit group that runs the parade, the Downtown Denver Partnership, made this decision based on a policy that establishes the event as a holiday event, not a Christmas event. But, why can't it be both?\nIn fact, it could be a Hanukkah event, a Kwanzaa event, a Christmas event or any other event that occurs during this special holiday season. Must our society be so politically correct and fearful of possibly offending someone that we watch everything we say or do? Do we really think so little of our fellow human beings that they can't be trusted to take dissenting opinions with a grain of salt? \nI sure hope not.\nWhat's even worse is that this unfortunate societal value of extreme political correctness is permeating into our education system. Recently, right here in Indiana, two high school journalism programs have been hurt by administrators who are fearful of possibly offending someone.\nNov 18, the Indianapolis Star reported that at Franklin Central High School south of Indianapolis, the newspaper adviser was removed from his position after his students printed an article about another student who had been arrested on murder charges. School administrators said that the teacher, Chad Tuley, was reprimanded because of possible privacy issues with interviewing teachers. They also claimed to be protecting the charged student's sister who attends the same school. According to the Student Press Law Center's report of the incident, the story didn't even include this information; rather, it was a simple news story with information from the police. \nReally, I think the school didn't want the bad publicity. It seems as if administrators were scared that they might offend someone.\nLate last week, northwest Indiana's The Times reported something similar had happened at Lake Central High School in St. John, Ind. The administration is holding the printing of the school's newspaper because of a package the students were producing on pregnancy, birth control and STDs. The administrators claim some of the articles were inaccurate and not properly researched; but again, it seems as if they were preventing very important material -- which might offend some in the extreme minority -- from reaching their students.\nIn a country where we pride ourselves on our freedoms, how can we allow our society to give them up? According to the 2004 State of the First Amendment survey released by the Freedom Forum's First Amendment Center, 30 percent of those surveyed agreed that "the First Amendment goes too far in the rights it guarantees." Compared to two years ago, right after the Sept. 11 attacks, the number was 49 percent.\nGranted, we are doing better now. \nBut, 30 percent is still too high.\nWe must try to realize why the founding fathers felt that these freedoms were so important to be among the Bill of Rights -- they were important to sustaining a strong democracy. Thomas Jefferson said that "dissent is the highest form of patriotism." While we might not agree with a position, we must still allow it to be expressed. While I might not agree with what you say, I will protect and support your right to say it.\nThe current catchphrase in our society is "diversity." But the term should mean more than just race and gender. It should stand for the concept of true diversity, in all aspects, including ideas. Our system of freedoms is rooted in pluralism. That means not necessarily accepting a differing idea, but at least tolerating it and not giving in to fear.
(12/03/04 4:03am)
A few weeks ago I admitted to all of you in my column that I was a flip-flopper. Well, today I have another confession. Except this time, it is much more serious and has been a deep, dark secret I have kept for far too long. OK, enough stalling. Here it goes: I am Santa Claus.\nYes, that's right. I'm Pere Noel, Babbo Natale, Santa no ojisan, Jultomten, På Norsk, Kerstman, Ded Moroz, Shengden Laoren -- Jolly Old Saint Nick for all those of you who aren't getting it. I guess your parents were wrong when they told you that the fat man didn't exist. It was me kissing your mom underneath the mistletoe that night.\nI think people were always a little suspicious, though. After all, my physical characteristics were always a tell-tale sign. The jolly-ol' belly is always an instant giveaway.\nOK, maybe I am not Santa. Pretending to be him, however, does present a good excuse for my physique. After all, it's part of the job.\nBut even though I'm not Father Christmas, I do love the season. There is something about it that just gets to me. I love Christmas music, snow and big holiday dinners (which go straight to that jolly ol' belly I mentioned before). Really, I love the way people come together during the holidays. This season of happiness actually has caused me to do unusual things.\nIn fact, each of the past three years, I have worn a Santa hat everyday from Thanksgiving until Christmas. The hat even has an IU symbol sewn into it. I actually have the whole suit.\nLast year I wore it to one of my classes. As I was driving down 10th Street with my car windows rolled down blaring "Jingle Bell Rock" in full costume, most people looked at me like I was either crazy or an idiot. One girl actually flipped me off, although that could have been because she misunderstood the "Ho, Ho, Ho" I was yelling.\nSince I got the suit, I have vowed to wear it around campus during finals week to pass out candy canes. I have chickened out every year. And here's why: Santa can't do his job without elves, but I have none. For the past three years, I have tried to recruit friends and classmates to join me in this mission to no avail. I think it is because they are afraid of being embarrassed. Well, get over it because I need your help.\nSo, here's my pitch: I am looking for elfish-looking people to dress up in their own costumes and join me to pass out little candy canes and spread holiday cheer. Pretty simple, eh? Let me know if you want to be my little helper.\nBut even if people don't volunteer for the important job, I will still be out there making a fool out of myself. As this is my senior year and the last time I will have such a chance, I promise you will see me around sometime. \nBut I am not going to do it just to act like a jackass (although that is part of the motivation). The biggest reason why I plan to do this is to simply project happiness during the holiday season, which is something all of you can do whether you are one of my elves or not.\nDuring a time of the year right after a very decisive and dividing political season, it is important that everyone act with open minds and open hearts. Start right now by showing warmness in your thoughts and actions to offset the cold climate. \nAnd keep in mind, I'm making a list, and I'll be checking it twice.
(11/12/04 4:09am)
Last week, Gulf War veteran David Miyasato filed a federal lawsuit against the Army claiming that its mobilization order that required him to report for duty was illegal. After all, Miyasato was discharged in 1996 after completing his eight-year stint.\nThe U.S. military must be desperate and really hurting for people. They are ordering up veterans who have already been discharged to serve again. Maybe it is time for -- dare I say it -- required service.\nIn recent months, many people have been talking about the possibility of a renewed military draft. And with President Bush's re-election, many think it is certainly a possibility -- even though Bush has said that he will not revive it.\nBut what's wrong with requiring something from our citizens? Maybe we shouldn't require military service, but everyone should be required to serve in some way. We live in a great country. We should pay for it.\nNow, before every college student goes crazy with the idea of required service, let me make myself clear. I am not talking about requiring all citizens to suit up for the armed forces. I don't think everyone is fit for military service (read: I am not fit for military service -- I'm a big wimp). Besides, if this country's security is to remain strong, we must have people fighting who want to be there. \nWhat I am proposing is that everyone be required for some sort of service -- military or civil. That, of course, could include working for the armed services. It also could include working for programs like AmeriCorps that provide community service to other Americans in need. We could even have qualified college graduates spend time teaching in inner-city or rural schools that are in desperate need of successful young role models. \nThe list could go on and on and could include a large variety of different types of civilian jobs. In my proposed model, people could even work as office staff for a government agency to fulfill their obligation.\nOne of the best parts: People could get to choose what they want to do. Moreover, the government could provide education and training for the job one chooses. This would provide great advantages to citizens who later want to get jobs in similar fields in the private sector.\nConscription for all citizens is not a new idea. Some countries currently expect it. Israel, for instance, requires both men and women to be in the armed forces. Some countries, like Austria and Finland, allow civil service to substitute for military service.\nOf course, having everyone work for the government -- even if only for a couple years -- would increase its size. Some opponents might say that having such a large government will create bigger bureaucracies and somehow encroach on our individual rights. However, having all citizens directly involved in the government in some way better guarantees those rights. What better way to ensure we have a government by the people and for the people than to actually have people working for it?\nStill others will say that if we are required to perform any kind of service mandated by the government, we will no longer be free to choose our own actions. We are already required to pay taxes and follow laws. I understand the argument, but remember: Freedom isn't free. \nWe get a lot from our country, and those of us who are U.S. citizens are very fortunate. But we should give something back. President John F. Kennedy said during his inaugural speech in 1961, "And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country."\nWe should all be asking ourselves the same question. After all, it's the price we pay for freedom.
(11/05/04 4:06am)
With the election essentially over and the major decisions made with popular mandate, it seems like I wouldn't be able to complain about our election and voting anymore. But, is a little thing like that going to stop me? No! I think I still got one more column about voting in me.\nTake, for instance, the apparent ignorance and stupidity possessed by some Monroe County voters. In the race for Monroe County Community School Corporation school board, four seats were open. Each voter, who lives in the MCCSC area, was able to pick one candidate from each of four open districts. \nBecause of some controversy with sixth district candidate Lindsay Boyd prior to election, he withdrew, but was still on the ballot. I would think that the fact that Boyd had opted to file a notice of withdrawal would signify to voters that they should not vote for him. But, apparently, my advanced sense of logic isn't shared by most citizens who voted in that race. Maybe some of the voters consciously voted for Boyd. Nonetheless, he received 721 more votes than Sabo-Skelton. Go figure!\nAnother thing that made me a little perturbed about the happenings at Monroe County polling places Tuesday is the difference in total votes for some of the non-presidential offices. There were 50,243 votes for president in our county. By comparison: 49,092 votes for the U.S. Senate race and 49,535 for the gubernatorial race. There were differences in total numbers for other races, too. The discrepancies are small, but my point is that with some 51,500 votes cast in our south-central Indiana county, some people voted for one office but not for another.\nWhile some people might commend this, I absolutely do not. A few of my friends told me that people shouldn't vote for an office if they know nothing about the candidate or candidates running for it. I agree. But, if you went to the polls with information about only a few races and not ALL of them, then you weren't completing your civic duty. \nFurthermore, if you went into the booth and voted a straight ticket by pushing the Republican, Democrat or Libertarian button, then you didn't vote for all the offices. First of all, not all races had candidates from all three parties. For instance, the race in Indiana House district 61 had no Republican candidate. \nAlso, there were of course the non-partisan school board races and the three general questions listed on the ballot. If you voted straight ticket, you didn't vote for these things either.\nI spoke to a friend of mine Tuesday who told me he voted a straight Republican ticket and didn't vote for the general questions on the ballot. He said he saw them, but didn't have an opinion and therefore didn't make a choice.\nHis sense of responsibility in the booth was somewhat commendable as he didn't make a decision for something about which he had no background information. But, the fact that he didn't develop an opinion beforehand was not at all admirable. He should have spent time finding information about all candidates listed on the ballot.\nFor the last couple weeks before the election, I started to look into the smaller races so that I could make an informed decision. In addition to reading information in newspapers and on candidates' Web sites, I actually attended a school board forum to find information about that race. \nI am not saying that I am better than those of you who didn't do some of the things I did. However, I do feel that I took a more active role in my civic responsibility. Everyone needs to do the research to find information for all candidates for all offices. A little time consuming? Maybe. But, it's our responsibility.\nAll offices -- big and small -- have some effect on our lives. Keep that in mind next time.
(10/29/04 4:07am)
Has anyone told the anti-Bush protesters who were on Kirkwood and Indiana avenues Tuesday afternoon that Bush will likely win our state? It doesn't seem like it. People can yell, scream and "honk against Bush" all they want, but it just isn't going to make a difference in the Hoosier state. \nI fully support the protesters' rights to protest and, in many ways, am proud of their initiative to go out and let their voices be heard. But what good will protesting on a liberal college campus in a liberal college town do? Face it, Indiana's 11 electoral votes will go to Bush.\nIf the people against the president really wanted to make a difference, they would try to persuade those who live in areas that have a good chance to really affect the results of the election. Just next door to the Hoosier state, we have one of the most important swing states this election -- Ohio. If you want to make a real difference this election, travel a few hours to the east. Even some other important states with large numbers of undecideds -- Minnesota, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania -- are within a day's drive from IU. Yet people still focus on the presidential election in a state where such action doesn't really matter.\nWhat really bothers me, however, is the fact that people seem to be focusing too much attention on the presidential election. I wrote a column about a month ago talking about similar issues. I sarcastically suggested people don't know how our government works. I think many of you do understand it. I just want you to act like it. \nIf you want to spend time and energy trying to persuade others about candidates, please focus on important races that do matter here in Indiana. \nOne of those races is the race for the U.S. House of Representative for B-Town's district -- the Indiana 9th. The race between Democrat incumbent Baron Hill and Republican challenger Mike Sodrel is likely going to be a close one. When the two faced each other in the 2002 midterm election, Hill won with only 51 percent of the vote, compared to Sodrel's 46 percent. \nThe two candidates differ on some issues, too many of which I would think those living and protesting in Bloomington would care about. For instance, Sodrel supports rather conservative measures, such as a constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage. He is also against allowing the United Nations to monitor U.S. elections. \nAnother very important and very close race in Indiana is for governor. Democratic Gov. Joe Kernan is facing Republican challenger Mitch Daniels. According to a South Bend Tribune/WSBT-TV poll released Tuesday, Daniels had just a three percentage point lead over the governor with 48 percent, compared to Kernan's 45 percent. The two gubernatorial candidates, like those for the District 9 House race, differ on a variety of issues, particularly the economy.\nSo, I ask again, why are you anti-Bush people spending so much of your time in Indiana focusing on Bush? I applaud people who have an opinion and feel comfortable voicing it. That is one of the principles upon which our society and country are based. But, if you are going to do it, do so in a smart way.\nOne of the photos of the protests featured on this newspaper's front page Wednesday was of a protestor's sign that looked like it depicted Bush with a crown on his head, as if he were king. Unless people realize the way our government works and try to make changes in intelligent and informed ways, that picture may not be far from a future truth.
(10/22/04 4:09am)
There's a quote from my favorite show, "The West Wing," which used to sum up my view of foreign policy: "We are for freedom of speech everywhere. We are for freedom to worship everywhere. We are for freedom to learn for every person." I believed that as the strongest democracy on the planet, it was the United States' job to protect those around the world who needed liberation from oppressive powers -- even if that job required us to use military force. I'm not so sure now. \nWith the election coming up soon, I have been involved in continuous self-reflection to form opinions and decisions on the major issues and, subsequently, for whom I will vote. Quite possibly the biggest issue of this year's election -- the war in Iraq -- has been one of the biggest issues upon which I have spent many hours reflecting. My decision: the United States shouldn't have gone anywhere near Iraq.\nWhen the offensive started more than a year and a half ago, I was in great support of the effort. After all, we thought Iraq had weapons of mass destruction that could be used against the United States. I was a little angry with the name of the effort. "Operation Iraqi Freedom" seemed to signify the war's main objective was no longer WMDs. Nonetheless, I felt that if we could free the Iraqi people from oppressors and rid the world of a major security threat, then all the better for the world. That feeling lasted even after we gave up on expecting to find the weapons.\nHowever, recently I have thought about our current success (or failure) in Iraq. Our overall goal, at least in part, was to free the Iraqi people from an oppressive dictator (check), help set up mechanisms for democratic elections (in the process) and train Iraqi security forces (not even close). All of these steps are in place so that Iraq can grow to become a self-sufficient, self-governing island of freedom in a sea of otherwise relative tyranny. But, is it working so far?\nI wonder whether it is our place to free others. No one came to free us from the oppression of King George. Sure, we had help from the French during the American Revolution, but they didn't initiate the fighting. We decided that the England's "repeated injuries and usurpations," as Thomas Jefferson referred to them in the Declaration of Independence, called for a statement of liberation. And we -- with a little help -- fought for that independence.\nBut with the situation in Iraq, it seemed like we initiated the conflict. While the Iraqi people were most definitely oppressed, they did not stand up as we -- and other successful democratic secessions from tyranny -- did and fight against their own injuries and usurpations. The United States seemed to discover one day that the Iraqi people needed saving. \nDon't get me wrong. I would love it if we could simply liberate every oppressed people on the planet. However, my concern is whether those societies that may not be ready for liberation can sustain true democracies. My concern -- with Iraq in particular -- is the future of the newly freed nation after our soldiers return home. \nFor the oppressed to be free from their oppressors, they must understand that they are existing under unfair conditions. These citizens must identify their oppressors and understand the reasons they are being exploited. Then they must stand up and fight for their independence -- but they must initiate that struggle. \nThe quote from "The West Wing" episode I mentioned earlier is taken from a speech about a situation in a fictional African country where an oppressive force commits genocide against its people. The fictional president says later about the situation, "Mothers are standing in front of tanks, and we're going to go get their backs." \nWe can't start anyone else's fight, but we can -- and should -- back up those who initiate self-liberation.
(10/15/04 4:32am)
You can learn a lot about a person by noticing what they watch on television. Take my roommate for example. \nIn my apartment, we have a digital video recorder. For those of you still under the tyranny of plain old television, DVRs, like VCRs, allow viewers to record what's on TV and watch it later. However, the various systems actually use computer hard drives to keep your favorite shows. Plus, for those moments when you need to answer the door for the pizza guy, DVRs allow you to pause live TV. \nDVR lesson done; back to my roommate. Since moving in together a couple months ago, I have confirmed quite a bit about his personality and interests through what shows pops up on our DVR. \nNot to resort to stereotypes, but my roommate looks kind of like the "Simpson's" comic book guy. He has messy hair, and most people would probably assume he likes role-playing games and has a large collection of Star Wars books. He does. \nThe TV confirms his nerdiness. Much of what he records is science fiction shows and anime. About half of the recording space on our DVR is filled with "Digimon: Digital Monsters." Yes, my roommate is a digi-geek.\nSome DVR systems do more than just record what you schedule. TIVO, for instance, can be set up to analyze what you watch and then record similar shows if there is space and nothing else is set up to be recorded.\nAt my old apartment, I had a TIVO both my old roommate and I used. Between his recordings of "Oprah," "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," and the Tony Awards, and my recordings of the "Simpsons," "Family Guy," and "The West Wing," TIVO was often quite confused. Although it never found it, I am sure it was looking for a show about a government-employed gay cartoon character who likes musicals.\nI have noticed some interesting TV habits of some of my other friends as well. One of my friends who used to live in Bloomington spent much of his time watching anything and everything that had to do with politics or news. He would sometimes skip his classes or call in sick to work so he could watch some big news story on the tube. \nI probably shouldn't have made fun of his habit, since I consider myself a journalist. But I did. In fact, one time his roommate and I set up a parental lock on his digital cable box that prevented him from watching CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and C-SPAN. He was pretty irate.\nI shouldn't make fun of my friends and their viewing habits. While I wouldn't normally watch much of what some of my friends would, I have found my television palette has grown since the space on my DVR has been used by current and past roommates. For instance, my current roommate often records history or science stuff that I have found interesting. My old roommate even recorded some episodes of "Oprah" that I found worthy of my time.\nI am not exempt from TV stereotyping. I am a huge fan of "The West Wing" and the "Simpsons." I also like "Law and Order" and other law-related dramas. I guess that would make me a funny guy who likes politics. I am. \nI am not yet a digi-geek, but who knows what will happen.
(10/08/04 4:13am)
To the 52 percent of the campus who are females, I have a question: Why am I still single? (And don't answer this question based on my terrible picture in this column!)\nNow I am sure that the majority of you could think of several valid reasons, but statistically, it just shouldn't be.\nWhile there are pretty even numbers of men and women on this campus as a whole, the ratio is off where I spend my time. I'm a journalism education major. That means most of my classes are taken by journalism or education students, many of whom are female.\nIn fact, during the few minutes I wait in the hall before one of my journalism classes every Monday and Wednesday, I have noticed another class that is letting out must have all women. During the exodus from this large class, I can't help but sit in the second floor hallway of Ernie Pyle Hall watching in awe.\nWomen make up almost 75 percent of students in the School of Journalism and nearly 77 percent in the School of Education. By those numbers, I should have four girlfriends. But I'm not greedy. I just want one.\nThe thing is it's not about the stats. If it was because of the numbers, then statistically, there would be quite a few playas out there. I am single, in part, because I am a wimp. At least I am a wimp around women. Despite the fact that I am a 21-year-old man, I still sometimes feel like a timid teenager wondering if someone else "likes" me. \nThe problem is not only with me, though. A lot of my friends have the same issue. They don't know when or how to approach a woman. This led me to wonder about the reasons why this is the case (beyond the fact that we are all wimps).\nMuch of the problem is culturally based in relation to gender roles. Simply put, no one knows who is supposed to ask the other out. Traditionally, the men did the "hunting." We were the ones who initiated conversations. Today, women are playing more archetypally-held male roles in society (which is positive). However, it leaves us somewhat confused in the dating and relationship field.\nThis isn't just a problem for my male friends, either. Quite a few of my female friends have asked me if I think it appears too strong for a woman to ask out a man. At the same time one of these women ponders this, the man who she wants to ask out ponders something similar.\nThough the blurred gender roles that many of us play do still contribute to the problem, I will admit my situation probably goes back to the fact that I am a wimp.\nAnd I know that I am a wimp because as I am writing this column in the waiting room of an auto dealer's service department waiting for my crappy car to get fixed, there is an 80-year-old man asking a woman if she is from another planet because he thinks she is "out of this world." If he can spit the game, surely I can too. I need to overcome my wimpiness in my senior year at IU, not in my senior years of life.\nSo I am making an oath to all of you faithful Indiana Daily Student readers and particularly those female majorities mentioned earlier: I will be taking care of my wimpiness and asking some of you out. \nAnd by the way, I don't think it is inappropriate for a woman to ask out a man. So to that large group leaving the School of Journalism when I am sitting in the hallway, I am still statistically single.
(10/01/04 4:14am)
I have a confession to make that might surprise some of you. It has taken a lot of courage to admit, but here goes: I am a flip-flopper.\nThat's right. I have constantly been going back and forth in my mind over my opinions on several issues. And subsequently, I have been unsure about who will get my vote in November.\nBut is there anything wrong with my uncertainty? Is my opinion -- whatever it may be -- less important because of my indecisiveness? I don't think so. \nA couple days ago, I had a political conversation with one of my friends. He asked me for whom I plan to vote in the upcoming election. To his surprise, I told him that I was going to switch my intended vote for a few offices from the Republican candidate to the Democrat. He was surprised. And when I jokingly called myself a flip-flopper, he wholeheartedly agreed. But what is wrong with that?\nAfter finding more information and being exposed to more convincing arguments, we should be able to change our opinions without being criticized. Good decisions are made because the decision-maker carefully weighs all sides for validity. Making a hip-shot choice and sticking to it for consistency's sake is not responsible.\nBut that's not how decisions seem to be made today. Consistency is more valuable than being right. And more importantly, we see a change in opinion as a huge weakness.\nPresident Bush released an advertisement Monday attacking Sen. John Kerry's indecisiveness regarding national security and the War in Iraq. The ad, titled "Searching," asks, "How can John Kerry protect us when he doesn't even know where he stands?" This ad is just an addition to the attacks on Kerry's perceived indecisiveness. \nHowever, the uncertainty isn't just coming from one side. In Kerry's new ad "Reasons," the campaign asks, "Why did George Bush go to war in Iraq?" The ad then presents evidence how the reasons have changed -- from weapons of mass destruction to Iraqi-al Qaeda links. \nI don't understand why either side is scolding the other. Both Sen. Kerry and President Bush changed their views based upon new -- and what at the time seemed to be accurate -- information. This is exactly what I expect from a leader: the ability and the willingness to change an opinion if that is what is needed.\nAt the same time, I do expect them to make a decision if that is what is needed. Many people praise President Bush for sticking by his convictions. Many say that this consistency lends itself well to making quick decisions. I am sure it does. But any leader can be expected to make what he believes to be the best choice when the time comes. Changing one's mind should not be interpreted to mean that person can't make a choice.\nI am still not sure who I will vote for. There are some issues about which I agree with one candidate; others about which I agree with another. The key for me is to decide which issues are most important.\nI will likely continue to weigh my choices right up until Election Day. Some days will be red, some blue. Hell, a green day might even slip in there sometime (Although those mostly happen on Thursdays). All I know is that when I walk into the voting booth, I will make a decision based upon the best information I will have had at the time. And I might regret the choice that I make, but, if that is the case, you can bet I will admit it, even if I am a flip-flopper.
(09/24/04 4:58am)
I don't want to alarm anybody, but there is more than one political election this November. \nNow, calm down. I don't want any of you to suffer from a mental overload with this new information. But, I think it is important for you to know. \nFor those of you still not catching on, we don't just vote for president. But, if I didn't know any better, I would assume from the talk of everyone from fellow students to big-time media muckrakers that the only race that matters is the one for the White House.\nConstantly, I hear people tell me about how they are not going to vote for President Bush because they disagree with "his" No Child Left Behind Act and "his" Patriot Act. I am amazed when I hear this because I was not aware that the president could unilaterally pass legislation. (Oh yeah ... he can't!)\nWhile both pieces of legislation were supported and eventually signed into law by the president, both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives had to pass them. In order to pass such laws, a majority in both the Senate and House is required. The No Child Left Behind Act in 2001 was passed 381-41 in the House and 87-10 in the Senate. Earlier that same year, the Patriot Act passed 357-66 in the House and 98-1 in the Senate. Boy, those don't sound like Bush's acts anymore.\nMaybe most Americans still don't understand the way our government really works, but if they do, they sure don't act like it. I think it is time for most Americans to take a trip back to their high school government classes. \nEvery once in a while, I ask friends and classmates to tell me the names of their elected officials. I am never surprised when many of them can't do it.\nWhile most can tell me the name of our Governor (Democrat Joe Kernan), they can't name either of our Senators (Republican Dick Lugar and Democrat Evan Bayh). And the stats usually get worse the closer to home we get. While I wouldn't be surprised if the average IU-Bloomington student knew the name of the Mayor of Bloomington (Democrat Mark Kruzan), I am almost positive they could not name their city councilman. Mine is Democrat Michael Diekhoff (but even I had to look that up). \nClearly I'm not a know-it-all. It is important for all people to know and understand this information. Even the elected officials lower on the traditional political hierarchal scale -- mayors and councilmen, for instance -- have quite a bit of power. You smokers should know. After all, it was the Bloomington City Council that decided to ban smoking in all public restaurants and, soon, bars. \nMore people need to vote. This is an obvious conclusion. But those who do vote need to do so with knowledge of all candidates, not just those running for major offices, like the presidency. \nThis year, in addition to the presidential race, there will be a U.S. Senate race, a race for nine U.S. House seats, a gubernatorial race and several Indiana General Assembly races, as well as a myriad of smaller office races. There are also several general questions on the ballot, including three proposed amendments to the Indiana state constitution. \nFind out about all candidates running for all offices and decide from that information who gets your vote. Don't know where to get the info? Project Vote Smart, at www.vote-smart.org, is a great place to start. The site provides varied and comprehensive database of information about most candidates for most offices.\nGet ready to vote by researching candidates now. And if you get to the booth Nov. 2 still unaware and uninformed (or even narrowly informed of only the president), you will simply be as stupid as many think President Bush is.
(09/17/04 5:10am)
What do Snoop Dogg and Michael Moore have in common? And no, Moore did not have a special appearance on Snoop's "Girls Gone Wild Doggy Style." Give up? They both rock the vote. \nListed on the Rock the Vote Web site -- a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to promote voting among young people -- are more than 300 actors, musicians and other notables who have lent their name to promote the right to vote. According to www.rockthevote.com, MTV hosts a myriad of events from concerts to voter registration drives to help increase voting among young adults. But while the organization uses marketing tactics like celebrity endorsements, which might at times seem a little sketchy, their strategy works. \nTuesday afternoon, the Rock the Vote bus made a stop on the IU-Purdue University Indianapolis campus. Volunteers -- many of whom were IUPUI students -- were manning booths encouraging people to register to vote by helping them fill out voter registration cards. \nThe event, however, had some qualities about which I had to question myself. At one of the Rock the Vote booths, I was asked if I wanted to enter a contest to win a free trip to Hawaii. Apparently, if I pledge to "Rock the Vote on November 2, 2004," I could be in the running for a free trip to the Pro Bowl in Honolulu, among other big prizes. (Note: You don't have to vote to win. It's illegal to promise prizes and other things in exchange for voting, as the IU Student Association found out in 2002.)\nDo I really need to be enticed with a free prize just to vote? Shouldn't we just be happy that our voice was heard? I would hope so. To me, having the ability to choose our leaders and, in turn, the direction of public policy is prize enough. But today most young people are apathetic when it comes to the basic democratic process. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 26 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds voted in the 2000 election. \nWhile we are one of the most politically apathetic groups, we are the ones that will be affected by many of the issues debated today. Do you think we will see a dime of Social Security benefits if we don't speak up now? What happens in the elections now will have a direct effect on our lives in the future. \nSo I go back to my earlier question: Do I need to be enticed to vote? Does it need to be rocked to make it seem cool? Is it necessary to get celebrity endorsements for this constitutionally guaranteed right? Probably not, but if it gets people to exercise this important right, then I am for it. \nWhatever tactic gets you involved in the voting process in the first place, just make sure you know why you are doing it when you step into that voting booth. Make sure you know who to vote for based on the issues. \nRock the Vote may seem like it is encouraging people who are apathetic about the issues. But as IUPUI graduate student Beth Mickelson said, events like Rock the Vote help "wake up people from that numb slumber" of cultural apathy. It helps introduce them to the issues that will undoubtedly affect them.\nSo go out now and Rock the Vote. Register now. The deadline in Indiana is Oct. 4. You can get information from Rock the Vote's Web site.\nRegister now and vote in November. Rock the Vote! After all, Britney Spears is doing it.
(09/10/04 4:58am)
Like most Americans, I am in huge amounts of debt. Forgetting credit cards and a car loan, I have just about $55,000 in student loans. But I'm not worried. Thanks to the great innovative thinking of the IU board of trustees, I have figured out who will pay for my massive amounts of debt: you.\nNow, I am sure many of you owe similar amounts of money for your education or various other life expenses, but I don't care. I got myself into the red, and now it is your job to get me back in the black. Sound fair?\nThe trustees say yes. To save the IU athletics department from millions of dollars in debt, they have decided to charge all students on the Bloomington campus a $30 annual athletics fee. That fee will raise $1.15 million in the first year, an amount that puts the athletics department well on its way to being debt-free. And they didn't even have to consolidate loans or file bankruptcy.\nI'm not asking for $30. Adding in my credit card and car debt to the student loan total, I figure I just need two bucks from each of you and all will be clear. Just think, for less than you will pay for a cheap drink, you can help me from ending up in the poor house. Still doesn't sound fair?\nYou are probably saying "no." And I agree with you. Many of you are not my friends (to your disadvantage) and have never met me. You don't use my "friendship services" and are not obligated to pay for them. Moreover, you haven't caused my debt and should not be expected to pay for it.\nMany of you are likely repeating that "no" in response to the new athletics fee. Some of you don't use the athletics department's services. That is, you don't go to sports games nor do you participate. More importantly, you haven't caused the debt.\nIt was the athletics department that decided to fire personnel before the end of their contracts. Was it really necessary to fire a football coach with a 5-6 record (Cam Cameron during the 2001 season) and hire one with a 2-10 record (Gerry DiNardo during the 2003 season)? Even after we fired Cameron, we still had to pay his contracts. \nThe athletics department claims that much of the debt stems from lackluster attendance at Memorial Stadium during football season. It must have been a surprise to IU athletics when the football team didn't perform well and few students attended the games (Sarcasm Meter -- HIGH). \nI love football, and I hope before I leave Bloomington I will get to see the football team have a great season. I applaud the massive win last Saturday. Moreover, I am confident that new Athletic Director Rick Greenspan will prove to be a great addition to IU athletics.\nStill, students didn't cause the athletics pitfalls of the past. We didn't make the hiring and firing decisions. We didn't unnecessarily renovate Memorial Stadium last summer. And most importantly, we didn't rely on a sport that has been extremely unlikely to provide anything but a financial burden.\nBut the trustees don't care. Almost all Bloomington students will be paying the fee to bail out the athletics department. So, since the Trustees are imposing the athletics fee, I will be imposing the Adam Maksl fee. Expect your bill in the mail soon.
(05/09/03 5:32am)
While many students this week seemed to be on a straight path from Bloomington to their homes, senior Pete Shaw was driving in circles. But he wasn't lost. He was driving his grandfather's Boyle-Special around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.\nShaw, whose late grandfather Wilbur drove the car to victory in the Indianapolis 500 in 1939 and 1940, took two ceremonial laps around the famous track Tuesday.\nWilbur, who also won the race in 1937, is a very important name to racing and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In addition to being the first person to win the race consecutively, he also helped save the famous speedway from destruction after World War II. He convinced Tony Hulman in 1945 to buy the track before it was developed into an industrial complex.\nWhile Pete has sat in the priceless car many times, this was the first time he had a chance to drive it. \n"This is a very fun experience, I hope to get to do it again," Pete said. "Next time, I won't be nearly as nervous."\nWhile Pete said he was excited about the experience, he was also anxious. As he stood around the pit area waiting for officials to direct him to get into the car, he chanted quietly, "Don't stall, don't stall, don't stall." \nLuckily, the car didn't, and the nervousness subsided as he pulled out of the pits and onto the two-and-a-half-mile oval track. \n"As soon as I get the car rolling, I won't be nervous," Pete said before the drive. "But once I sit in that car, I'm going to be real nervous, a little light-headed and excited."\nWhile the experience was great in itself, Pete stressed the importance of the tradition and keeping the spirit of racing in his family strong. \nPete never knew his grandfather, as Wilbur died in a plane crash in 1954. But the importance of racing has been very important throughout Pete's life.\nHis father, Bill Shaw, has continued the tradition and fostered Pete's interest in racing. By simply walking though Bill's house, one would see a lot of things about Wilbur, Pete said. \nWhen Pete was younger, he would spend summers touring the racing circuit with his dad, who was director of the Championship Driver's Association at the time. While his father was doing business, Pete would hang out at the various speedways. \n"It made the summers a blast," Pete said.\nFor the past couple years, he has been going to the Indianapolis 500 with his dad, a tradition Pete said he would like to continue.\nLast summer for his 21st birthday, Bill gave his son the chance to learn to race at the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving. There, Pete learned about Cart and Grand Prix racing and got to drive souped-up Mustangs and Formula 4 cars. \nPete was then allowed to drive the car like his grandfather had so many years before. \n"I hope they let me do it again," Pete said. "I hope my dad and I switch off every other time."\nWith future plans on his mind, Pete said that he will not rule out giving up his intended career in journalism for one in racing. \n"If the opportunity presents itself I will definitely give it up," Pete said. "Journalism does not have weight over race driving. I will do that any day."\nBill, who has driven the car several times in the past and will get to drive it on race day this year, expressed his feelings about seeing his son drive his father's car.\n"What a great thing to get to share," Bill said. "This is great stuff"