25 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
(05/01/11 10:43pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>This past weekend, I got a little freaked out.Many people I’m very close to will be graduating in less than a week. In two years, I will be, too. I’ve always been fiercely independent and tried to act like a “grown-up,” even when I was far from one. But the thought that soon I’m going to have to fend for myself in the scary thing we call “real life” is a little mind-boggling.The past two years have been by far the best I’ve ever had. But even as I continue to learn and grow at IU, I’m still nervous about (hopefully) becoming an actual job-holding adult four semesters from now.Do you remember when people would ask what you wanted to be when you grew up? Heck, I still get asked that today — and my answer is only slightly more certain than it was when I wore Power Ranger underwear and complained when homework assignments involving coloring were “hard.” Back then, I wanted to be a mailman. Our neighborhood mail carrier, Jim, was an awesome guy, and I aspired to be just like him someday. However, I realized that delivering mail meant I would have to brave the frigid cold of winter to bring people their water bills and issues of Vogue, and I quickly soured on that path.Next, I vowed to become a librarian. I was obsessed with reading, and I idolized my school librarian, Mrs. Wala. However, this was the time of my life when I began to learn about money, and I wanted to earn a lot of it — fast. So, I changed my career goal to lawyer.Other professions that I’ve considered at various times include doctor, journalist, businessman, singer/actor/teen idol and economist.So here I am, a sophomore in college, still with little to no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life. Am I a little worried? Yes. But looking at the (haphazard) evolution of my career goals makes me confident that I’ll find something someday — with any luck, sooner rather than later.My parents always encouraged me to pursue things I found to be interesting. They told me they just wanted me to find a job that would allow me to support myself and be happy. With that in mind, I guess I’ll join the circus.— biglehar@indiana.edu
(04/24/11 11:13pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Much to the disappointment of most Americans and the delight of people like me, the 2012 election season is (finally) getting into gear.As Republicans begin the race to see who will have the opportunity to unseat President Obama, I see Mitt Romney as the most reasonable and electable pick of the current GOP pack. He has already set up an exploratory committee and is clearly serious about seeking the Republican presidential nomination.A moderate Republican, Romney served as governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and has built a reputation as a “turnaround artist” during his involvement with the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and Bain & Company. Many on the right have questioned his conservative credentials, though. While governor, Romney signed into law what has come to be known as the foundation for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (or, if you prefer, ObamaCare). He has stated he supports abortion in some cases and domestic partnership rights for the GLBT community. And he’s a notorious flip-flopper whose opinions conveniently shifted in time for the 2008 election.So one could make the case that he’s a poster child for the term “Republican In Name Only,” and unfortunately his faith may be a factor as well (he’s Mormon), but I think Romney delivers a compelling set of relatively reasonable opinions on smaller government and social issues that could be appealing to independent voters. After all, they represent the demographic that has big clout in elections.Could he win? Current polls say yes. A recent poll put him one point behind Obama in a hypothetical matchup. That’s the closest of any potential Republican candidate, including Mike Huckabee. Interestingly, he’s quite popular with both moderate Republicans and Tea Party activists. This is an impressive feat that, to me, is quite telling of his potential electability. The fact is many Republicans are not overly enthusiastic about any of the potential candidates. Romney is not the Obama of 2012. (In the words of Jon Stewart, he looks “...like everyone who ever fired your dad.”) However, I think Romney’s more moderate opinions could help him appeal to undecided voters and pose a real challenge to Obama in 2012. Now if only Gov. Mitch Daniels would make up his mind...— biglehar@indiana.edu
(04/17/11 11:29pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Let’s get one thing out of the way: I am liberal. Although I tend to pick and choose my opinions from both sides of the political spectrum, I ultimately classify myself as leaning to the left. (A liberal IDS columnist — big news, right?)I’ve held firm ideological convictions since I was quite young. I can vividly remember arguing with one of my friends about the Bush/Gore election — in fifth grade. Unsurprisingly, my political views are quite similar to my parents’, but I’ve done my best to carve out my own, too.However, I respect the right of others to hold their own opinions and am thankful that we live in a country where open, lively debate is not only welcomed, but generally prized.When I was trying to decide where to go after high school, I visited many small, liberal arts colleges around the Midwest. One of the first things I would ask on campus tours was the general political leaning of the school.That’s not because I was looking for a liberal haven where I could live harmoniously with fellow progressives and plot a pro-choice, gay-friendly, big government takeover. Rather, I wanted a place where people of all opinions could make their voices heard and political debate was actually divided.So, here I am at Indiana. While our campus and town are decidedly liberal (at least from my point of view), I appreciate the fact that many different thoughts are represented here. At a school that I visited several years ago, my tour guide referred to conservatives as an “endangered species” on campus and said any who might exist were probably “closet Republicans.”This was troubling to me. I feel that higher education (especially proclaimed liberal arts schools) should be a place where all opinions are shared and valued.So while I may grumble at basically any legislative news coming from the Indiana Statehouse and sigh whenever Sarah Palin opens her mouth, I’m thankful to go to a school where debate is more than looking in my ideological mirror. Fellow Hoosiers, argue on.— biglehar@indiana.edu
(04/10/11 10:55pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>This past week, our country finally got news that was bound to come sometime: a proposal to drastically shrink the size of the federal government and completely retool health entitlement programs, most notably Medicare.“The Path to Prosperity,” released by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, is the most dramatic attempt by any lawmaker to date to change the course of our government’s spending and hopefully get our deficit and debt level under control. But the plan, which proposes cutting the federal budget by $6.2 trillion during the next 10 years, would predictably lead to a jarring shift in the size and scope of the federal government. Among other significant changes are the proposal’s aims for Medicare and Medicaid, which would be turned into a premium support (read: voucher) program based on private insurance and a series of block grants given directly to states, respectively. While dramatic, the changes to Medicaid aren’t all that surprising. Long a bane of conservative lawmakers, the means-tested health care program for the poor makes an easy target because it’s generally not as popular as Medicare and the proposed modifications would strike at the foundation of one of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s major routes of coverage expansion (although, ironically, some parts of Ryan’s plan seem to be built on PPACA’s framework). Make no mistake — “Prosperity” is pretty political.The real surprise, however, is the plan’s goals for Medicare, the popular federal program that provides health care to the elderly and disabled. The proposal would essentially end Medicare’s limitless entitlement (at least from the federal government) and deliver a fixed annual payout based on an enrollee’s income, health status and age. This money would be paid directly to a private insurer, which would, in theory, also allow enrollees greater choice of providers and services.I have a few (well, more than a few) problems with this plan.First, shifting seniors from Medicaid to private insurers is unlikely to save anyone (except the federal government) much (if any) money. The average annual cost per Medicare enrollee was about $11,700 in 2009. Ryan’s plan would pay out an average of $8,000. The near-certain shortfall would then be shifted either on seniors or health insurers, depending on the ultimate fate of PPACA. The Congressional Budget Office has already released a report that predicts that under the Ryan plan, Medicare enrollees’ out-of-pocket burden (as a percentage of their overall health costs) would more than double by 2030. In addition, this $11,700 is in “Medicare dollars” — a dollar goes quite a bit further under Medicare than private insurance. Because of its massive size, Medicare is able to negotiate rates from providers that are generally significantly less than what private insurers pay. It is unlikely at best that any other single insurer would be able to match this bargaining efficiency, even with a flood of new policyholders.Furthermore, in terms of administration, Medicare is a very efficient model for health care delivery. The program spends a lower percentage of its budget on administrative costs, on average, than commercial insurers. (Although there is some debate about Medicare’s administrative percentage, even the most cynical analysts place it at not higher than 8 percent.) Next is the issue of risk pooling. Especially considering PPACA’s restrictions on medical underwriting and rating, insurers would be dealt a massive blow if forced to accept thousands of new policyholders in their most expensive stage of health care need. Under this scenario, Ryan’s proposal could very conceivably raise insurance premiums for the rest of the population, hardly a welcome prospect to a nation that already seems to be generally pissed at the government.Even if PPACA’s main provisions are weakened or repealed, what health insurers in their right mind are going to voluntary accept millions of elderly enrollees?Now, assuming at least some elements of health reform were to remain in place, seniors would still have no restrictions on lifetime medical expenses (PPACA also prohibits insurers from capping benefits), but the risk of such an entitlement would fall to private companies rather than Uncle Sam. This seems to make little sense, especially when the idea is coming from a member of the “pro-business” party. I’m only brushing the surface of my qualms, but I’ll stop there. I hope you understand why I’m concerned.I have to commend Ryan for his bold plan and willingness to tackle issues that must be dealt with, but really? This is the best he could come up with? Far from a game changer, his proposal ignores numerous political and economic realities and is a Frankenstein mash-up of conflicting policy assumptions. Instead of cutting costs, Ryan’s plan simply shifts them — mostly to a segment of the population that may be the least able to pay. I have no doubt that we can no longer write blank checks to our nation’s seniors, but at least for Medicare reform, “The Path to Prosperity” is not a road we want to go down.— biglehar@indiana.edu
(04/05/11 1:44am)
It’s a sad day for women.
(04/03/11 9:56pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>If you haven’t heard, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is exploring the possibility of a 2012 presidential run. Just like the type of newt you might find in a pond (slimy and easily able to overcome injury), this Newt is apparently eager to get back in the ring.Gingrich, who has mostly stayed under the radar since resigning after 10 terms in the House, is campaigning once again, having launched an “exploratory” (read: fundraising) committee and continuously promising an ever-delayed official announcement of his presidential intentions. But two affairs and three marriages would appear to be two too many for Gingrich to campaign on “values.”Perhaps not.His marital past hasn’t stopped Gingrich from becoming cozy with voters about his devotion to “traditional marriage” (which, one might add, he has certainly done his part in undermining) and his close, personal relationship with God. Gingrich also credits God with setting him on a straight path with his current wife (who, by the way, was the mistress with whom he cheated on wife No. 2). Great guy, huh?He also said in a recent interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network that “(t)here’s no question at times of my life, partially driven by how passionately I felt about this country, that I worked far too hard and things happened in my life that were not appropriate.” Hear that? It’s the sound of George Washington rolling over in his grave.Social issues aside, Gingrich actually does have a somewhat respectable record of getting things done, whether or not you agree with his political stances or private liaisons. Under his leadership as speaker, our country saw a balanced budget for the first time in three decades and significant welfare reform was passed and signed into law (although he has also been widely blamed for the government shutdown of 1995). For many politicians, those two accomplishments alone would be impressive.But instead of playing up his legislative successes, Gingrich has been pre-campaigning for the social issues on which he doesn’t really have much credibility. He’s been busy visiting “family values” groups in Iowa and New Hampshire and pandering to the far right’s religious base.You’d think a guy who’s on wife No. 3 wouldn’t rank values as the nation’s most pressing issue, above even economic recovery and defense. But that’s the way Gingrich is pitching himself to potential primary-goers. I’m not a Republican or a social conservative, but I do have to call it like I see it — a washed-up politician who’s trying a little too hard to become the leader of the free world.— biglehar@indiana.edu
(03/27/11 7:09pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Like many others in the IU community, I enjoyed a spring break filled with sun and fun. I was fortunate enough to go on a cruise for the first time, which was a great experience.However, throughout my week off, I couldn’t help but ponder my good fortune. Even though I wasn’t on an alternative spring break trip, my travels definitely gave me some perspective.I was most struck by clear economic disparity when we docked in Belize City, Belize. There was a small tourist-orientated area that had heavy security, but beyond the confines of the guards was a very different place from Bloomington. You could tell that very few people in the city could even imagine the lifestyle that we as “poor” college students enjoy.Our group ventured outside of the tourist zone and explored the downtown area. We noticed a building that looked somewhat “official” and not as run-down as those around it. It turned out to be the Supreme Court building. (Justices park in marked spots on a crumbling alleyway.)Most of the street vendors seemed to be well-off given their surroundings, and I have a feeling that the prices I paid were probably more than adequate, but I wondered whether my attempts at bargaining were cheating hard-working, entrepreneurial people out of honest wages.This trip marked my first time in a developing country, and it was extremely eye opening. Is it wrong for us to indulge when there are so many people in need?One can look at it this way: a boat full of tourists eager to pay high premiums for handmade goods and local food is a welcome stimulus to these areas. In theory, it’s a win-win: Americans pay relatively low prices while locals make relatively high wages.But there’s still so much that can be done.So, in addition to contributing to my “buffet belly,” my trip showed me the overwhelming needs of these countries and made me likely to go back in the future to help out — not by buying, but by building, teaching and treating. —biglehar@indiana.edu
(03/21/11 12:45am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>“I’m just doing it for my résumé.”We’ve all heard this phrase from our peers (or maybe even said it ourselves). In today’s hyper-competitive job market, many students are doing everything they can to get a leg-up on their competition.But is going through the motions just for self-promotion worth it?I would be lying if I said I have never considered how any of my activities would look to a potential employer. I’m a college student, too. I’m nervously watching the job market just like everyone else. However, there is a clear line between doing something you care about and something a recruiter will care about.It bewilders me that the résumé is one of the main highlights some student organizations use when pitching their groups to students. Is that the message your club wants to send to potential members — that it only exists to fill lines on a piece of paper?True dedication to something you believe in will yield not only great interview fodder, but also new and unexpected opportunities to learn and grow as an individual. Take community service, for example. Bloomington is in the bottom half of all cities and towns in Indiana when ranked by per-capita income. There is a dire need for help at many of the myriad nonprofits in our area. Instead of “doing it for the résumé”, do it for your fellow Indianans who need a helping hand; do it for yourself as you learn how fortunate you are compared to many in the state and world. While volunteering is a great activity to put on your résumé, I feel like part of your service is to truly believe in what you are doing. A higher motivation than just looking good is necessary if you’re going to get much out of your effort.Then there’s education. The vast majority of students at this school (and others) are here because a college degree is a strict prerequisite for an increasing array of jobs. A bachelor’s degree is the new high school diploma; a master’s is the new bachelor’s. With internships and jobs often hard to come by, many students are willing to do literally anything necessary to pad their résumés.As a student, though, it’s hard for me to look at the time I spend in and out of class and the amount of money I’m paying to be here simply as a means to a job. Sure, it’s an investment in my future, but more importantly, it’s a chance for me to be exposed to new ideas and learn more than I ever thought possible. Obviously, we are all inherently self-motivated. And when it comes down to it, almost all of us are here because we want to be self-sufficient adults with gainful employment someday. But always remember that the résumé is not an end — it’s a means to an end. So discover something new, help someone in need or meet a new professional acquaintance — for the good of your personal own growth, not just your résumé. — biglehar@indiana.edu
(03/06/11 10:27pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that there’s some serious bickering going on in Washington about the federal budget. Looking past the partisan debates about taxing and spending, an important component of President Barack Obama’s 2012 budget hasn’t gotten nearly enough attention: a reduction of the exclusivity period for biologic pharmaceuticals from 12 years to seven. While this issue may not have the emotional pull of funding cuts to Planned Parenthood or National Public Radio, it poses the opportunity to help consumers (and third-party payers, such as insurance companies) save major dollars.So what is a biologic drug? Simply put, it’s a pharmaceutical product that is produced biologically, as opposed to the chemical processes used for traditional pharmaceuticals. This means a more delicate and complicated production process is necessary.Biologics have largely been extremely effective for patients who do not respond well to traditional therapies, but the catch is that they are extraordinarily expensive.A year’s supply of entanercept (trade name: Enbrel), for patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases, can easily cost of more than $10,000. Many other biologics are even more costly.While these drugs are often life-changing for patients, they pose the potential to create significant financial hardship, especially if patients are paying out of pocket. For those on health insurance plans with lifetime payment caps, the cost of continuing biologic therapy alone can max out their benefits.Everyone knows that health insurance premiums are rising quickly, a worrisome trend that packs an especially hard punch to small businesses. Most experts agree that the cause is clear: Health care itself is getting more expensive. The increased use of name-brand biologics certainly isn’t helping to reverse the trend.It would be naive to ignore the reality that bringing a new drug to the marketplace is extraordinarily expensive. (Estimates vary widely, but Health Affairs magazine pegged it between $500 million and $2 billion for new chemical makeups.) In our current system of health care delivery, a new drug means significant cost and risk for a corporation.I’m all for protecting intellectual property and encouraging development. I also hate to see potential savings ignored (I’m big on coupons). A path for fast-tracked generic biologics will not go through without a fight from Obama, but it could also save payers billions of dollars per year.While I think the push for reduced exclusivity periods should come from a source besides the president’s budget, I also believe that this is an issue that must be acted on quickly. The government needs to take this step in the best interest of everyone who uses and indirectly pays for health care — that is, virtually all Americans.E-mail: biglehar@indiana.edu
(02/27/11 10:18pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Ever since I came to college, I’ve kept my “past life” (that is, high school and before) at arm’s length. I still interact with my friends from home fairly frequently, but as the months pass, we become less connected. I made the decision to attend an out-of-state school, and as a result, it’s become more difficult to keep a close relationship with many of the people from whom I was once inseparable.I talk to my parents enough that they know I’m still alive and spending their money, but calls are usually few and far between. After all, I’m a college kid now — a real adult. Jeez, Mom.I’ve always had a fierce independent streak. On family vacations, I would beg to meander around alone, whether we were in the suburbs or Las Vegas. It wasn’t so much that my family wasn’t “cool,” but more that I just wanted to be seen alone — a fearless young wanderer who could take on the world (even at 8 years of age).When high school graduation rolled around, I was ready to get the hell out of my hometown and move on to bigger and better things.My older brother told me, though, that being at college makes you look at being home a little differently. I didn’t believe him, but he was right.There’s nothing quite like sleeping in the bed you slept in for most of your pre-college days, curling up on the couch you know so well with your dog and a good book and enjoying the Sunday paper and a big cup of coffee with your family. As I write this column, my mom is making me cookies, which doesn’t happen every day (or ever) when I’m at school.Everything seems better once you’ve been away for a while — after all, the grass is always greener on the other side, right?This sappiness only lasts for so long. After more than 36 hours at home, I’m ready to leave. The old familiar quibbles come out again, and it seems that everyone forgets I’m a “visitor” and instead thinks I should again contribute to the household chores (thanks, but no thanks). It’s time to get back to life as I live it right now: in Bloomington, as a college student, without the concerns (and comforts) of my pre-IU days.But after a few stressful weeks of tests, papers and homework, nothing beats home sweet home, if only just for a day.In a time when growing up seems so daunting, it’s nice to be a kid again sometimes.E-mail: biglehar@indiana.edu
(02/22/11 1:50am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Among the other head-scratchers making their way through the Indiana legislature is Joint Resolution 6, which would define marriage as being between a man and woman in the state Constitution.But wait! Isn’t gay marriage already illegal in Indiana?Why, yes, it is. However, a statute apparently isn’t good enough for most legislators (70 of them in the House, in fact). We wouldn’t want some bleeding-heart liberal judge to come along and stir up trouble. Why settle for a discriminatory law when you can imbed hate into the cornerstone of the state’s very existence?This debate reminds me a lot of what’s happening in Iowa, my native state. After the Iowa Supreme Court unanimously ruled that restrictions on gay marriage violated the state constitution, lawmakers are attempting to overrule this decision with an amendment in the same way as the Indiana General Assembly. In a passionate speech that has received more than 1.6 million views on YouTube, Zach Wahls, a University of Iowa student whose parents are lesbians, spoke against the amendment in front of a legislative committee saying, “You are voting for the first time in the history of our state to codify discrimination into our constitution.” Despite passionate debate from both sides and polls showing that Iowans place gay marriage as a low legislative priority, the resolution easily passed the Iowa House. However, the Iowa Senate, whose leader has stated that he will not allow debate on the resolution, will likely block these efforts (for this year, anyway). Focusing back on Indiana: Don’t our elected officials have other things to worry about? I find it hard to fathom why they are spending precious time on something that will have zero effect on how marriage is conducted in Indiana. And since this is an amendment, it will have to be passed again by the Assembly in either 2013 or 2014, meaning even more time will be wasted; only then can it be sent to Indiana voters. All right, Indiana politicians, we get the fact that you don’t want gays to marry. Can we move on now? You’d think Brian Bosma, the speaker of the house, got his car jacked by Elton John or something.Ultimately, the question will likely be posed to our state’s voting populace at some point: Do we want to cast our state as one where discrimination is so embraced that it is in our constitution?Unfortunately, I’m afraid the answer will be a resounding yes.E-mail: biglehar@indiana.edu
(02/20/11 10:57pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Sometimes it’s easy to forget we live in the digital age.I recently opened up an account with a major national bank that shall remain nameless. (Here’s a hint: It rhymes with “place.”) I was tired of not having a bank account in Bloomington, something I should have dealt with long ago. My hometown bank, a bland, ho-hum institution, just wasn’t cutting it anymore. I wanted to deposit checks from my iPhone, check my balance via computer at any hour of the day and be able to transfer money electronically. So I made the switch. Unfortunately, the financial sector hasn’t adopted modern technology to the extent that I thought it had. Get this: It takes me a minimum of two days to complete an electronic transfer of money to another bank account (sometimes even longer, depending on when I initiate the transfer). In that period of time, a mailed check would almost be faster — but certainly not as cool.There’s the old saying that “money makes the world go ’round.” If that’s the case, my life is moving in slow motion.It is astounding and frustrating to me that in 2011, more than six decades since the modern credit card was first introduced as the next big thing in monetary transfer, we haven’t found something better. Credit card fees are too high; checks are insecure; cash is bulky. Why isn’t there a new, fresh idea? Shouldn’t I just be able to make a conscious thought and instantly pay for my lunch?In Asia, they’re closer to this elusive goal. Near field communication has become popular as a method of payment that’s built into cell phones. You can enjoy that luxury stateside, too — just find a phone with an NFC chip built in (good luck) and find the nearest store that allows NFC payment (also a stretch). Fortunately, rumor sites are reporting that the next-generation iPhone will include NFC technology; other phone makers are said to be looking at NFC integration as well. Although some security concerns have become apparent, this technology has been around since 2003 — it’s about time it actually came into widespread use.When it comes down to it, though, NFC payments are basically the same as using a credit card — surely with similar merchant fees. But they’re a step in the right direction.I imagine a future where consumers will be able to easily transfer money to each other and to vendors without high fees and much effort. I hope this will be the case sooner rather than later. E-mail: biglehar@indiana.edu
(02/15/11 10:49pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Chick-fil-A apparently doesn’t like gay people very much. The evangelically-owned company was revealed to be a major sponsor to an anti-gay marriage conference in Pennsylvania, as well as being an overall sponsor of the organization. Members of IU-South Bend’s campus reacted by starting a grassroots movements that successfully kicked the Chick-fil-A off of the campus. There is a campaign raging on the intertubes of Bloomington to kick Chick-fil-A, currently located in the basement of the Herman B Wells Library, off of Bloomington’s campus as well. A Facebook group called “Kick Chick-Fil-A off IUB’s Campus!” is active with more than 100 members, and a petition campaign on www.change.org has amassed close to 200 signatures. Our columnists react to the controversy and propose alternatives.----------Chick-fil-A or Chick-fil-gay?Chick-fil-A allegedly hates gay people (but still wants them to buy sandwiches). In response, students in Bloomington are attempting to get the company removed from the Cyber Cafe in the basement of the Herman B Wells Library. What if we kicked all of the companies off campus that “we” (meaning the very few members of the campus community who actually care) don’t agree with? Sodexo, the company that manages food services in the Indiana Memorial Union, has come under fire for its low pay and lack of affordable health care options provided to its U.S. employees. Starbucks, another campus vendor, has been criticized for the near slave-like conditions of some of the workers who harvest its coffee beans. These issues are also very important to many students, yet you don’t hear the same backlash toward the companies listed above that Chick-fil-A is currently receiving.If you simply cannot get over the fact that a company doesn’t have the same views that you do, don’t give them your business. Keep in mind, though, that many major corporations have active political action committees. AT&T and Blue Cross and Blue Shield are major donors to Republican candidates around the nation, many of whom probably don’t support gay marriage, either. Will you switch to a different service provider or drop your health insurance in protest? Unlikely.But if you want to stop going to Chick-fil-A, go for it. Besides its alleged hatred of all things homosexual, there are many other reasons not to patronize these restaurants: the food isn’t all that great (and it’s unhealthy), the location on campus is somewhat obscure and the “Chick-fil-A cow” is creepy, among others.And, it’s not like Chick-fil-A ever made any attempt to obscure its Christian viewpoints to begin with. It’s pretty hard to miss the religious overtones of the company’s operations: its locations are not open Sundays so workers can rest, enjoy time with their families and worship, and potential employees are asked questions about religious beliefs and marital status in job interviews. The place has even been nicknamed “Jesus Chicken.”It would be impossible to make sure that all companies providing services to our campus pass some arbitrary test of approved operational practices. Instead of raising hell and starting a virtual petition (with 191 signatures as of Monday) that will probably be glanced at by University administrators and then disregarded, let’s put our money where our mouths are — if you disapprove of Chick-fil-A’s views, don’t go there. You’ll be thinner and gay-friendlier for it.E-mail: biglehar@indiana.eduSuitable SubsitutesBloomington, I am torn. Inside my soul rages a battle so fierce that it is tearing me apart. I toss and turn at night wondering how to resolve the struggle within my very essence. In light of the recent revelation of Chick-fil-A’s anti-gay agenda, can I support the ever-so-tasty food franchise?In the words of R. Kelly: “My mind’s telling me no, but my body, my body is telling me yes.” While I cannot condone Chick-fil-A’s choice of charities, I know I will miss the hot, juicy and readily available food they provide.What should I do? Should I compromise my ethics for the sake of my stomach? Should I really believe Chick-fil-A has ruined its legacy? Should I tell you I’m a chicken sandwich chaser? Or maybe Chick-fil-A should just disappear?At the end of the day, the students at IU-South Bend have it right. I guess I can’t bring myself to undermine my personal beliefs for the sake of an easy lunch at the library. Chick-fil-A has been peddling prejudice and homophobia while bringing us our chicken sandwiches and our waffle fries. Unforgivable. Let’s all just hope there’s no secret agenda behind Taco Bell. E-mail: smmech@indiana.eduEating worse for the gaysIn light of Chick-fil-A’s recent eradication from IU-South Bend, I know IU-Bloomington will follow suit. So now I feel it is the best time to put forth my nomination for Taco Bell to replace Chick-fil-A’s potentially soon-to-be-empty space under Herman B Wells Library. I don’t know about you, but I feel much more comfortable eating questionable 36 percent meat than a sandwich branded by known homophobes. It is a tremendous ordeal for a well-known franchise to face the heat for the support of bigotry, and I am willing to eat mystery tacos and chalupas to support the cause, no matter what deformity I may start to develop in my 40s. Of course, we can probably rest assured that “not so meaty” meat is as unlikely to turn us into zombies as the Swine Flu shot was, but I would much rather take that risk than eat a sandwich from the hands of anti-gays.E-mail: aymatz@indiana.edu
(02/13/11 9:11pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>For-profit higher education has been taking a lot of heat recently.Despite the fact that only around 9 percent of students enrolled in college attend for-profit schools, these institutions consume around a quarter of all Pell grants awarded. And, surprise — their graduates or former students make up about 44 percent of all student loan defaults.In addition, tuition at for-profit colleges and universities is often more expensive than at public (and often private) not-for-profit counterparts for the same degree, especially in certification and associate programs.In other words, students are shelling out more and often getting less. This makes the ever-present cheapskate within me very upset.I don’t have a problem with competition based on the provision of the highest quality education possible; even turning a profit on the education of students is not inherently bad. However, the disturbing trend of glorified “diploma mills” that make false claims in advertising and recruitment and often do not prepare their students adequately for gainful employment is an issue that is costing our government billions and cheating millions of people out of their money and educational potential.Part of the problem may be that traditional colleges and universities have failed to embrace the power of technology and online learning to the full extent that for-profit ones have. Because our country’s college students now struggle with full-time jobs, children and other responsibilities, it’s increasingly difficult for many people seeking degrees to physically take a class in a classroom setting.It may be that older learners are turning to for-profit schools out of necessity rather than choice. After all, who wants a set class period rather than logging onto “class” in pajamas?Despite pundit rumblings that our entire educational system is terrible, the United States still has a diverse range of colleges and universities that is the envy of the world. With all the innovation that occurs within these schools every year, one would think that we could find a way to scale up public institutions (including both traditional four-year programs and community colleges) to serve the growing ranks of students of all types. If there were no niche for predatory for-profit schools to fill, they wouldn’t exist. When I see a truly innovative institution that is competitive on the bases of both cost and quality, I won’t be so skeptical of for-profit learning. Until then, I simply say this: vote with your wallet, and demand that your lawmakers work to stop the flow of money to these largely corrupt and ineffective institutions. E-mail: biglehar@indiana.edu
(02/07/11 3:22am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Congratulations! If you’re reading this, you survived the “Icepocalypse” of 2011 — probably with little to no help from IU-Notify.As many members of the IU community recently learned, we’ve got some work to do when it comes to alerting the campus population of emergency situations.According to its website, IU-Notify, the collective name for all of the emergency notification methods employed by IU, “greatly enhances the University’s ability to effectively transmit critical incident information.”While I appreciate that we have such coordination in place, it seems to not serve much value when it takes so long to get notifications out.The IU-Bloomington Twitter account (@IUBloomington) responded to criticism of the system’s apparent weaknesses with a tweet: “Yes, IU-Notify did take some time to deliver. E-mails, phone calls and text messages are sent to more than 30,000 people.”Let’s break this tweet down, shall we?I would agree that the message “did take some time to deliver.” I received a text message telling me that classes were cancelled starting at 2:30 p.m. — at 2:58 p.m. My phone call came at 3:12 p.m.Luckily, like most of the student body, I was already continuously refreshing the IU Emergency Preparedness website in anticipation of such news, so I didn’t have to brave the streets in order to get to class.Also, it’s interesting that the fact that notifications are “... sent to more than 30,000 people” was used as an excuse. Phone calls do take a while; I get that. However, considering text messages can only contain a maximum of 140 characters (and e-mails consume a similarly small amount of bandwidth), I have trouble understanding why it took so long to send out thousands of them. A needless walk to campus isn’t a big deal in the scheme of things, but what if the situation involved a gun or bomb instead of ice and rain?Clearly, the University wants to be prepared for the worst (the campus emergency website frequently asked questions to discuss the possibility of a terrorist attack in Bloomington).Students, faculty and staff go about their daily business with a sense of security, knowing (or hoping) they’ll be informed quickly in the event of a dangerous situation. To that end, it’s surprising that we consider our current notification system anything but unacceptable.The recent tragedy in Tucson, Ariz., happened in a matter of minutes. It would be a shame if a text message not received were to mean an unnecessary slip on the ice — or a life lost.
(01/30/11 8:53pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Our nation is at a fiscal tipping point.We knew this day was coming; there were many warning signs. Massive tax cuts. More spending. High budget deficits.Now, we have an eager new class of politicians who are going to easily slash and cut their way to a balanced budget. Hooray!The only bad part is that this is not possible. The numbers simply don’t add up.Lawmakers on both the Left and the Right are trying to appease their constituents by promising to make large cuts to discretionary spending but leaving the “untouchables” (health, Social Security and defense) alone. The only problem is that these programs make up approximately 80 percent of the federal budget. At the same time, Congress passed and President Obama signed legislation to extend tax breaks for higher-income Americans. It’s odd that proclaimed “fiscal conservatives” would support a plan that will add about $857 billion to the federal debt during the course of ten years. Just because it was bipartisan doesn’t make it not crazy.Despite the doom and gloom, perhaps the comments of some commentators that our children should learn Chinese (to prepare for the inevitable takeover, ya know?) are a bit extreme. However, while I doubt that China will ever declare the United States its own, it’s reasonable to be slightly fearful of owing massive sums of money to a country that isn’t exactly open to democracy.Is the U.S. going to have to become the next Greece before we realize the extent of our trouble? We should be rioting in the streets; instead, we’re accepting the status quo.Yes, I want low taxes, strong defense and happy, non-indigent seniors. But as a student who is soon going to be pushed into the scary world outside of academia known as real life, I don’t want to be saddled with high taxes and subpar services due to the ignorance of politicians and voters before my time. Here’s the reality: we will not balance our federal budget and tackle our debt until Congress musters the courage to cut nondiscretionary defense spending and alter the core of our major entitlement programs. There is simply not a way to preserve any semblance of the services our federal government currently provides while simultaneously making cuts adding up to trillions of dollars.We can’t have our cake and eat it, too — something has to change. Let’s hope it’s the attitudes of the millions of Americans who need to wake up and demand real action, not just empty promises.It’s sad that truth has become third rail.E-mail: biglehar@indiana.edu
(01/23/11 11:01pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>I recently observed a scene that caught me off guard.My cashier, a young woman in her early twenties, was busy bagging my purchases when one of her co-workers (who looked like she was about the same age) came over to her. In a hushed voice and with a face that showed a mix of uncertainty, fear and excitement, the other worker whispered, “I’m pregnant.”I was stunned. Not stunned in a “what-a-horrible-person” type of way, but rather wallowing in the realization that I had just witnessed a woman whose life had been changed forever.Youth pregnancy has always gotten a lot of press, but shows like “16 and Pregnant” and “Teen Mom” have recently cast the spotlight especially heavily on the issue. MTV has shown stories of young mothers facing the harsh reality that raising a child is hard work, especially at an age when most people are just worrying about getting their drivers’ licenses and making the JV team.But even these shows send the subtle signal that having a baby is the way to stardom. We’re a nation in a denial. The United States has by far the highest pregnancy rate of any developed country in the world, yet we still cling to cultural practices that are clearly not working to lower this level. We have an odd assortment of various versions of health education, legalized abortion and a stigma of all things sexual.We cherish our rights of freedom and liberty, but in this case, frown upon the results.It would be foolish to say that all pregnancies outside of marriage and among teenagers are “bad.” I have a close friend whose parents gave birth to their first child when they were in high school and now have successful careers and a stable, loving family.However, we know that cases like this are the exception rather than the norm. When it comes down to it, no amount of scolding, education and other methods can prevent all unplanned and unwanted pregnancies. However, we need to throw aside our current system of mixed messages and accept the fact that we are failing in our duty to provide even basic sexual knowledge to young people in our country.Many Americans are up in arms about the prospect of China knocking us out of our top spot as the world’s dominant superpower. It’s worth mentioning that their pregnancy rate is more than 10 times lower than ours.E-mail: biglehar@indiana.edu
(01/10/11 11:49pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>As you may already know, Jersey Shore kicked off its third season last week, complete with a girl fight and hot tub emotions. In addition to these bronzed bimbos, though, New Jersey is offering up another valuable export: a bipartisan bond between Cory Booker and Chris Christie that is setting the model for effective partnerships across party lines. Booker, a Democrat, is mayor of Newark, New Jersey’s largest city. Christie is the Republican governor of the state. Despite differences in party and politics, the two have managed to work together to help advance their constituencies. Both ran on promises of reducing waste and increasing the efficiency of government, which they’ve already had some success in achieving. This past summer, Booker indicated support for Christie’s plan to cap property taxes at 2.5 percent. They have also patrolled the streets of Newark together and worked to reduce crime in Newark. Even more interesting is that Booker is rumored to be a possible challenger to Christie in 2013. In a move that showed true willingness to put principle ahead of politics, Christie agreed to surrender state control of Newark’s public school system to Mayor Booker after he announced a new plan to increase accountability of all parties involved in education. Christie, who has engaged in a very public fight with teachers’ unions about job security, wages and benefits will work with Booker to select a superintendent for the district. Christie recently proposed changes to state minimum superintendent qualifications to allow experience as a substitute for certain degree requirements, which could help Booker attract an unconventional leader to turn around Newark’s schools. The two also secured a $100 million matching donation from Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg to support education in Newark. In an appearance with Booker and Christie on “Oprah,” Zuckerberg was asked, “Why Newark?” He responded, “... really just because I believe in (Booker and Christie).” Booker and Christie have also made strides to make government more open and accessible. Booker has avidly embraced Twitter and used the service to help direct cleanup efforts after a recent blizzard. (It should be noted that he personally shoveled for citizens all over the city.) Christie has been no stranger to the spotlight, holding many forums that have showed his willingness to fight against the status quo. Videos capturing his often sharp tongue have gotten thousands of views on YouTube. Clearly, Booker and Christie don’t have everything in common. They’re from opposing political parties and have different opinions on many issues. Also, they have their fair share of criticism — Booker, for recent police layoffs and perceived slowness of enacting change, and Christie for his “bulldozer” tactics and clashes with unions. However, the difference between them and many other politicians in our country is that they are willing to put politics aside to get work done for the people they serve. Let’s hope others take notice. E-mail: biglehar@indiana.edu
(12/01/10 11:01pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Ah, Thanksgiving. This peaceful holiday is generally considered to kick off “the holidays,” and allows college students a welcome break before finals week. I enjoyed spending time with my family and friends while thinking about what I’m truly thankful for. After the bird is eaten and the table is cleared, though, Americans’ time for appreciative thought is done. Our consumerist habits kick in. Although we might talk a grateful game on Thanksgiving, Americans like their stuff. When there’s a toaster to be had for $3, many of us can’t help but push others out of the way to get it.I’m talking, of course, about Black Friday.Best Buy opened at 5 a.m., Target at 4 a.m. and Kohl’s at 3 a.m. Walmart, in its traditional Walmart-ish way, offered up its best deals starting at midnight. As was the case last year, a fervent crowd of shoppers trampled several people. I guess discounted prices are probably worth a few injuries, right?I must admit that I woke up at 3:30 a.m. on Black Friday. Or, rather, my brother shook me awake, but only after visiting both Walmarts in town (he was on the hunt for 500 thread count sheets for $20). After chugging half a pot of coffee, my Black Friday really did “run on Dunkin.” As my family and I drove to the mall, we passed Starbucks, where the line of cars waiting in the drive-through wrapped all the way around the building. We got to the mall around 4 a.m. J.C. Penney was already packed with semi-awake people, and the parking lots were filling up fast. At this point, my caffeine tremors kicked in. We were well prepared for our excursion; we had perused the circulars the day before, and I used my iPhone to compare prices. As many other people that day, I was determined to get the best deals on things I didn’t particularly need.I scored a few bargains: a “$60 value” blender for $28, a pair of Sperrys for $50 and a hoodie for $15. No big-ticket items here — despite my half-alert state, I was mostly able to resist splurging. After our shopping was completed, we headed to the Machine Shed (or simply “The Shed”), a folksy restaurant that celebrates the American farmer and sells cinnamon rolls as large as my head. My dad, the only one sane enough to sleep in, laughed as we talked about our great finds. By 11 a.m., I was ready for a nap. Many others were out in force with me. The National Retail Federation reported that 212 million people in the United States participated in Black Friday festivities this year, up from 195 million in 2009. Shoppers also increasingly turned to the Web for bargains — according to ComScore, a marketing research company, online sales on Friday rose 9 percent. However, Black Friday is no longer good enough. We now have Cyber Thursday (otherwise known as Thanksgiving day) and Cyber Monday. In retailers’ zeal to sell as much merchandise as possible, they’ve extended the orgy of spending out to a five-day weekend. The NRF estimates that 106 million people will shop online on Cyber Monday, including 70 million people at work. Nothing says “holiday spirit” similar to shopping while on the clock.Always the overachiever, Walmart has even dubbed this period after Thanksgiving “Cyber Week,” with deals lasting through tomorrow. This is a little confusing to me — I thought Walmart was supposed to have the lowest prices every day.Should it be like this, though? Don’t get me wrong, I loved the satisfaction of buying Blu-ray movies for $5 each. But I wonder if maybe the day after Thanksgiving isn’t the best time to launch a season of excess.No matter your religious beliefs, the holiday season is meant to serve as a contemplative time for appreciating what we have and considering what things are important in our lives. However, I do see similarities between the struggles of the Pilgrims and people hoping to score a deal on a massive television. The Pilgrims were taught survival skills by Native Americans; the bargain shoppers were handed a couple of doughnuts and lukewarm coffee by a pubescent electronics store worker. Both groups camped outside for long periods of time, braved the cold and suffered ridicule from their peers, all for a cause they believed in. When put in that light, maybe Black Friday isn’t all that bad.E-mail: biglehar@indiana.edu
(11/10/10 10:14pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>“Student reports rape near McNutt Quad” “Two students report sexual assault during weekend” “Sexual assault case reported on North Jordan during weekend” “Group of Asian students attacked, robbed Sunday” I would be worried if all of these headlines appeared within a semester. Sadly, these separate incidents occurred within just more than a month’s time.Nobody wants to go to an unsafe school; unfortunately, that is the reputation IU is gaining. Most students recall last year’s outrage about traffic-related injuries occurring on campus, a trend that, to some extent, has continued this year. School officials reacted quickly, having meetings to collect ideas about improving traffic safety and installing crosswalks around campus. As we’ve seen in at least one incident this year; however, crosswalks don’t stop students from running across a street and being hit.I would rather be in a dangerous situation that I have some control over (crossing a street) versus one I do not (being physically attacked). Our administration was very responsive when it was within students’ power to protect their own safety. I hear less about acts students can’t prevent.After the incident where a group of Asian students were attacked and robbed, Vice President and Provost Karen Hanson e-mailed the Bloomington student body, saying that “we are committed to taking all steps necessary to keep our campus safe.” The e-mail also mentioned a forum “to aid in the process of education and amelioration.”It’s nice to see some action being taken, but I would imagine that those in need of education were not in attendance at that forum. Most people know better — they just choose to make bad decisions anyway.I want real answers as to why these crimes keep happening — outdoors, no less — and how the University plans to prevent future ones from happening. Are campus police officers doing their jobs effectively and in a matter that helps protect students from external harm? Are we using other measures (outdoor lighting, for example) to their full effectiveness? Juvenile connotations aside, should we more firmly encourage students to walk with a “buddy” at night?Last year, I often saw a crowd of campus police officers in a group on 10th Street near Teter Quad. This is a very high-traffic area (in terms of both car and foot travel) and there are many lights, too. One would think that potential criminals would steer clear of this area. IU is served by four police departments (campus, city, county and state). Rather than trying to convince people not to be racist or commit sexual assault, we should focus on more effectively using law enforcement to tackle crime. To me, the best “amelioration” would be beefing up security around campus to send a firm message that these acts are not acceptable at IU.I’ll admit it — these recent crimes are a little scary to me. I live a couple of blocks off campus, and my walk home offers plenty of chances for someone to hide. When a 6-foot man is reconsidering going out for an evening jog, there’s clearly an issue.Safety must become a larger focus at IU. Prospective students don’t generally get too upset that few of our athletic teams are fantastic and are willing to look past some of our school’s other shortcomings. However, I know that if our abysmal safety record continues, there will be significant consequences in regards to recruitment of the best and brightest students. I hear again and again about how our school wants to bring in as many international students as possible in order to make us a more world-oriented university. I would imagine this will become more difficult if we have another incident similar to the one a couple of weeks ago. So, to those committing these crimes: I hope you’re happy. All the hard work that students, instructors, staff and administrators put in each and every day is being overshadowed by your selfish and stupid acts. Unfortunately, the IU Police Department can’t fix stupid. But stupid can be prosecuted.E-mail: biglehar@indiana.edu