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(07/25/02 8:23pm)
I came back from spring break tan, well-rested and feeling great about life in general. Returning to the IDS to work Sunday was almost fun, as I had made a point not to read and/or watch the news while I was basking in the Florida sun. \nDuring break, it was important to me to try to avoid learning, to actually forget what little I do know, if at all possible.\nExpecting a slow day at work, as the first day following a break is traditionally known in the newsroom as "All-Wire Sunday," I was surprised to see the amount of "real" news that needed to be covered, edited and made ready for print. What especially caught my eye were the stories about the slumping economy and the plummeting stock market. The fun little stock market arrows on top of the world section were all pointing down, and Alan Greenspan seemed a bit grumpy.\nBefore I really get into this column, let me make it crystal clear that I am not a financial expert by any means. So before anyone gets huffy and exclaims "Laura Ewald has no clue what she's talking about!" I'll admit it: I have no clue what I'm talking about. \nAll Ewalds have a monumental fear of math, from story problems to dollar signs to … gulp … fractions. We're also rather laid back when it comes to careers, salaries and the like. With my sister in the seminary and me looking into writing or working for a theater, we're not the most lucrative family. \nMy parents, when they're in "Mom and Dad Mode," encourage us to do what we love, that the money will take care of itself. (When I suggested that I could sit around watching "General Hospital" and eating as a career option, they said that's not what they meant. Parents!)\nBut despite my lack of economic know-how, I'm confident with the little cash flow I have. A copy chief's salary is decidedly lacking, but I've found fun ways to make it stretch. For example, did you know a box of rotini pasta can feed a single gal for a week? A good way to save on phone bills is to make your family members call you … none of that "returning phone messages" stuff. \nMy greatest financial planning achievement is getting over my fear of the Kelley School of Business enough to take a class there, F260: Personal Finance. We COAS folks have a really hard time walking around that building; I always kept my head down and tried to look busy when I walked down the "Hall of Honor." The pictures of alumni financial success stories can be a bit intimidating, so I just tried to blend in with the B-schoolers. Later, back in good ol' Ballantine Hall, I would sigh with relief and resume my invaluable "broad-based education."\nI surprised myself by doing well in the finance class, and it taught me a lot about the stock market, car insurance, mutual funds, budgeting and other fun things. But the best piece of advice I got from my instructor, and from my own fake stock portfolio that I grew addicted to during the semester, I will now impart to you, dear readers. \nIn this, a time of economic crisis, I want to encourage everyone to calm down.\nYes, we're in a bear market (I like throwing that term around), but look at it this way: Stocks are on sale! They're slashing prices! Everything must go!\nSo Billy Bob Big Stock was $50 a share when you bought it and is now worth $25. Settle down … as a friend of mine from Texas would say, it's a "two-fer." Buy more!\nStudies have shown that as long as you keep at it in the stock market for 10 years, you're in the clear. Now, don't start calling me for financial advice and portfolio building just yet; I have a lot to learn. But as I hear more and more market horror stories and people worrying about their money, I just wanted to remind people that this, too, shall pass. \nBuy low, sell high and hang in there!
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
The season of "Magic, Mystery and Mayhem" at the IU Opera Theater will close with the April 6, 7, 13 and 14 run of Leonard Bernstein's "Candide." Despite war, separation from loved ones and even a shipwreck, the title character remains optimistic as he learns valuable life lessons.\nBased on the satiric stylings of Voltaire, the comedy of misadventure has undergone several transformations since it opened on Broadway in 1956. The IU production will feature the "Scottish Opera" version finished in 1988. \nGuest conductor Michael Barrett, who served as Bernstein's assistant conductor from 1985 to 1990, will lead the performance, according to a press release.\nThe opera explores the life of Candide, a young, enthusiastic man who at first looks on the bright side of any situation. As he experiences life lessons, he undergoes a change of character, said doctoral student David Allen Ray, who plays the title role in some performances. The show is double-cast.\n"Candide begins the opera as a naive, quasi-pretentious young man. Up to this point, he has unquestionably believed in the 'good' in everything, as he was taught by Pangloss, his tutor," Ray said. "But numerous bad things happen to Candide or to those he holds dear, and he struggles throughout the show, trying to rationalize those events."\nThose "numerous bad things" provide humor and excitement for the audience. Much of the action centers around Candide's love for the beautiful Cunegonde, the daughter of the Baron of Westphalia. The baron is not pleased with the match, and banishes Candide from the castle. \nMeanwhile, Westpahlia is on the brink of war with neighboring Bulgaria. Candide is tricked into enlisting in the Bulgarian army. Separated from his love and his land, he endures many hardships, twists of fate and hilarious adventures before being reunited with the ones he loves.\nGraduate student Joshua Vincent, who also plays Candide, said he has enjoyed the rehearsal process because the character is unique.\n"One doesn't often get a chance to reflect upon how profound an experience it was to lose your naivete," Vincent said. "Playing the role of Candide is just such a reflection and the music Bernstein wrote captures the turmoil of Candide's epiphanies beautifully."\nRay said that he agreed and that the audience will enjoy watching the characters find themselves. "It is an interesting journey that he goes on -- discovering what the world is really like," Ray said. "And it is that aspect of the piece and the character that is most enjoyable. We all at one time thought the world was a happy-go-lucky place, but eventually had to find comfort in the fact that the world provides myriad experiences, both good and bad, that we learn and mature from."\nRay said he hopes the audience will enjoy the more serious aspects of the opera as well as the humor.\n"The original work, Voltaire's 'Candide,' is a highly satirical read, and hopefully, that will come across in the production," he said. "But again, there is an underlying theme that life isn't always fun, but in the end, it is really worth experiencing and learning from."\nVincent said he hopes the audience will find the true meaning of the opera.\n"While it can often be frivolous to the point of ridiculousness, there is always an underscoringof seriousness in the way all the craziness of life impacts the naive young soul of Candide." \nAll performances begin at 8 p.m. at the Musical Arts Center. Tickets are on sale now at the MAC box office and all Ticketmaster locations or by phone through Ticketmaster, 333-9955.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
As a mere junior, let me take a moment to express my awe and amazement of you, the graduating senior class of 2001. I humbly congratulate you on all the hard work, late nights, sacrifices and philanthropic deeds you soon-to-be alumni have experienced while at IU. \n(Well anyway, congrats on the hard work procrastinating, late nights partying, sacrifices to the party gods and philanthropic deeds in a greek sort of way. But I'm trying to make you guys look good for the parents, OK?)\nPerhaps right now you're wondering what gems of advice and wisdom a lowly junior could impart on you seniors on this, one of the best days of your college career. Although I don't have as much world experience as you wise old owls, I'll do my best to remind you of some of the life lessons many of you have shared with me in my three years in good ol' B-town. \nBut a few things to remember: The "Real World" can be a far cry from college life, as the rest of the column will show. Be cautious when applying IU wisdom to real world experience. \nClip out this column and take it with you wherever you go: Think of it as an IU education in 700 words or less. Hopefully, these life lessons will ease your transition into the real world.\nCollege Wisdom: Procrastination is underrated\nSome of the best papers (and columns) I've ever written have been produced in the wee hours of the morning. And during finals week, we're talkin' WEE. \nPutting things off can often pay off, especially when you work well under pressure. Looming deadlines can give you the extra boost you need to turn in a stellar paper. Waiting until the very, very last second can raise your adrenaline and your expectations for yourself. \nReal World Recommendation: Out here, "D" doesn't equal "diploma"\nSo you have one of those "job" things. Great for you! Keep it. \nNow you don't have the "I have a full-time job, I'm a full-time student, and I need a social life because I'm in college" line to fall back on. Your job does all kinds of good things for you, like give you money for rent and food and something to do all day. Just like in college, you'll still have deadlines. Emphasis on the "dead." Hastily written e-mails about sick dogs and mysterious illnesses won't go over well out in Corporate America, so be sure to get your work done.\nCollege Wisdom: Laundry has varying degrees of "clean" and "dirty"\nWho said you can't mix colors and whites? Your MOM? What are you, in high school? Are you going to let your mom tell you what to do? Huh? Come on. Sure you can mix your clothes! Who's gonna care, the Bleach Police? Please.\nSmell it. Get a buddy and do the "Just how wrinkled is 'wrinkled?'" test. Eye it under both natural and artificial light. Good. Now put it on and roll to class.\nReal World Recommendation: Listen to your mom on this one\nYeah, don't mix colors and whites. And if you even have a wrinkle/smell/stain question, wear something else. \nCollege Wisdom: Parking tickets are a rite of passage\nLaugh dangerously at the scrawny yellow nuisance, toss it in your back seat and drive into the sunset like the youthful rebel you are.\nReal World Recommendation: Don't get 'The Man' angry\nHere's a thought: If you don't want a ticket, park legally.\nCollege Wisdom: Credit cards are vile, evil things.\nReal World Recommendation: Credit cards are vile, evil things.\nWell kids, I have had a blast writing for you this semester. I have tons more wisdom than that, but I thought you needed a portable dose of advice from yours truly. To sum it all up, do your work, listen to your mom (at least on cleanliness issues) avoid the 5-0 and don't get into too much financial trouble.\nGood luck, have fun and I'll see you next year in the (gulp) real world.
(10/25/01 5:40am)
After last year's Knight riots, one thought kept churning over and over in my head: This is the stupidest thing I have ever seen.\nAngry shouts mixed with carefree laughter as thousands of students trampled over the garden in front of Bryan House, muddied the waters of Showalter Fountain and marched across campus toward a police-lined Assembly Hall. \nI strongly support free speech and peaceful, respectful protest. But the Knight riots were senseless and destructive. \n And I applaud the University and former coach Bob Knight for not wanting to risk such unrest, immaturity and destruction at IU again. By canceling the IU/Texas Tech game this year, both universities are giving the campus community time to heal.\n It's only one year later. Emotions are still running high. It's too soon for IU to face Texas Tech and the former coach who still inspires strong feelings and loyalties on campus.\n There is nothing wrong with having loyalty to Mr. Knight. Despite his mistakes and errors in judgement, he was an effective, successful coach who loved IU and Bloomington. \n What is wrong is that some of us choose to "support" Mr. Knight with violence and destruction.\nEven at Midnight Madness, a celebration of our men's and women's basketball teams, I heard cries of "We want Knight. We want Knight." This disrespect and ingratitude after a successful season and strong leadership by head coach Mike Davis is ridiculous. \nThe immature, unwarranted actions by some students in last year's riots and at this year's Midnight Madness show that, even if the coaches and teams are ready to face off, not all of our fans are. This is unfortunate and unfair to those of us who can express our displeasure at the Knight firing in a mature and respectful manner.\nBut at the end of the day, a basketball game is not worth the risk of more unrest at this University.
(09/10/01 6:47am)
What a night.\nThe firing of former men's basketball coach Bob Knight sparked discussion and debate on a national level. Closer to home, it caused rioting and divisiveness in Bloomington.\nIn the newsroom, it caused IDS reporters, editors, designers and photographers to take on new roles and hit the ground running.\nSunday afternoons are usually laid back in Ernie Pyle Hall. We are working on production for Monday's paper, but it's still the weekend.\nThat Sunday was different. Early in the morning, staff members were called in because there was a low media rumbling. Every major news organization knew what was happening. But until confirmation came from IU administration, until there were officials to quote, documents to cite, we had nothing to work with.\nFinally, the press conference was called in Indianapolis. Among the national news film crews and microphones our reporters were there, calling in quotes from their cell phones, trying to get back to a campus that was about to burst into action. \nMeanwhile, back in the newsroom, I was thrown a tape recorder and a notebook and told to be a reporter for the day. Usually, I was a copy editor. But that was true for everyone; there were so many roles to be filled, we became chameleons to fill them.\nUsually, we go out into the streets of Bloomington to find news. That day, the news came to us.\nCries of outrage that Bob Knight deserved better than what he got were mixed with cheers of jubilation that there was action that night, something to shout about.\nWhere should we go first? Rumors of riots were everywhere: where was the real news? We became marathon runners, sprinting from Assembly Hall to Bryan House to Dunn Meadow to Kirkwood Avenue to Showalter Fountain to the Arboretum to our own front door.\nIt turned out the action was everywhere. The stories were everywhere. The administration was reluctant to talk; the students wouldn't stop talking. \nSomewhere in the middle of the madness, we had to find a way to tell every aspect of these multifaceted stories.\nI hope we succeeded. \nThere wasn't much time to dwell on the finer points of coverage, because suddenly we weren't just covering the news: we were the news.\nCNN, affiliates from ESPN, ABC, NBC, CBS, and countless newspapers wanted to get into our newsroom, get our information, our angles, our quotes. How were we supposed to handle being in the spotlight? Like everything else that night, that week, we made decisions as we went along.\nDespite the excitement of that night, the fact that here we were in the middle of Big News, many staff members were somber. We watched angry and ecstatic and indifferent people file past the newsroom, some shouting in frustration, some shouting just to shout.\nFinding ourselves in the unique position of being both students and objective observers that night was simultaneously difficult and an honor. We experienced as many emotions, had as many opinions as every other Hoosier on this campus. \nStepping back from the hostility and the destruction on the part of some students, and the aura of secrecy and mishandling on the part of some administrators, I can't help but wonder if it was worth anything.
(05/14/01 1:05am)
\"Dearest Anderson High School freaks, I bring sad tidings" e-mailed a friend of mine from Purdue Sunday morning. Attached was a link to the British Broadcasting Company Web site. Once there, I was deeply saddened to see that one of my all-time favorite writers, Douglas Adams, died of a heart attack Friday in Santa Barbara, Calif. The most tragic part of the news, for me, is that Adams was only 49.\nHe wrote "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" and its sequels, some of the most hilarious books I've ever read. I was introduced to his works by some friends of mine in high school. They convinced me to read Adams even though I'm not a big fan of science fiction writing. But Hitchhiker's isn't about aliens or androids, although the works include both, it's about irony, humor, sarcasm, creativity and the bumblings of the human race in general. And, of course, it's also about the meaning of life. Those of you who know Adams' works will smile with me as I recall how the meaning of life is, simply enough, the number 42.\nThe characters in Adams novels, even if they aren't of this world, are all very human. Adams writing is highly entertaining and touching, and it's a shame he died so young. He was working on several projects at the time of his death, according to the BBC, and unfortunately, the world won't be able to experience more of his creative spirit.\nAs I have written columns, news stories, plays, short stories and poems during the past few years, I have struggled to find my literary voice. Different genres have allowed me to explore different writing styles, and my writing has been strongly influenced by my favorite authors. My short stories have been influenced by Daphne du Maurier, my poems by Sylvia Plath and my plays by Christopher Fry. My columns, in all their light-hearted and (I try to make them) humorous glory, have been shaped by among other influences, Douglas Adams.\nI love the fact that his books are about everything and nothing at the same time. While laughing through a passage in "Life, the Universe and Everything," I often find that I'm laughing about the shortcomings and triumphs of the human race. That's pretty big stuff. Adams can describe a random phone booth and the life of Jesus Christ in one paragraph without missing a beat. I so admire the way he can "sneak up" on a reader with a profound message in a whimsical passage.\nAs I write this, I stop and realize that the last paragraph I wrote about Adams should be in the past tense. And that saddens me. I never met Douglas Adams, just as I never met Frank Sinatra, Princess Diana, Charles Shulz or Phil Hartman. But their lives and deaths still have touched me. \nIt's funny how people can influence a life without ever entering into it. Authors, politicians, musicians, artists, performers and public figures entertain and inspire us every day. Sometimes, it's hard to remember that they're only humans.\nBut "only humans" is an oxymoron, as Adams writing often reminds me. The people who inspire us do so because they bring out the best in human nature. Actors who touch our lives are often the ones who remind us of ourselves and our experiences. We find ourselves in the pages of a novel by Fannie Flagg, a play by William Shakespeare. The most beautiful artwork by Michelangelo is simply depicting the human body.\nSo to Douglas Adams and all the men and women whose works have inspired my writing and my life, "so long, and thanks for all the fish"
(05/10/01 2:08am)
I can feel my column deadline sneaking up on me, waiting to pounce. It's breathing down my neck, and it's getting harder and harder to ignore. I change the channels, check my e-mail, leaf through catalogues and still it remains, the proverbial black cloud hanging over my head.\n Finally, I give in. But what to write about? Usually, I draw a column topic from my fabulously interesting life. They kind of fall into my lap. People ask me all the time where I get my ideas for my columns. Well, it's all about finding the muse in daily life. And I stay true to the golden piece of advice, "write what you know." Because I don't know all that much, writing what I know once a week is usually very easy.\nBut this week, my life hasn't been that exciting. With no classes to go to and production at the IDS slowed down a lot, I'm free to do as I please. And I please to not do much. While I know you gentle readers will always support me in my writing endeavors, I don't think you'd be too thrilled to read about my couch, my refrigerator and my bed.\nPlan B: Read the headlines, watch the news, get online to see what's going on in the world. This is kind of tricky as my roommates have all moved out, taking their TVs and computers with them. Luckily, a dear friend of mine is letting me borrow his TV for a few weeks. I'm eternally grateful: It was touch and go for a while there, but I'll be OK. But that span of two days I had without contact with the TV world, that was scary. It's not so much that I wanted to watch TV all the time, it was just the very idea that I couldn't even if I wanted to.\nAnd this computer thing is killing me. I'm a certified e-mail junkie, and my hands have been shaking for a few days. But I made the trek to the Main Library today, so I can get my online fix. What's on CNN.com?\nLet's see...Dick Cheney talking about nuclear power, blah blah blah...Tina won "Survivor," yadda yadda yadda...the Dow falls, Nasdaq rises, ho hum. As the late and great Chris Farley used to say, "La de frickin' dah."\nLet's face it, folks. I don't want to think too much as I write on this beautiful summer day, and you probably don't want to think too much as you read. (A given if you read my column regularly). So instead, let's face reality and enjoy the fact that summer is finally, finally here. (Don't worry, I'm not going to segue into one of those "stop and appreciate nature" columns. It might be bad this week, but it's not THAT bad).\nI'm not talking about catching lightning bugs and taking moonlit walks through the Arboretum. (Although, those are nice things about summer in Bloomington). I'm talking about enjoying the fact that we can sit around on the couch, sleep until noon and eat ice cream three times a day. (Until summer internships, jobs and classes kick in, that is).\nWhen those summer projects do start up, or when we return to classes for the fall, then we won't have the luxury of doing absolutely nothing. So enjoy it while you can. Yes, nothing can get boring after a while, but in a good, friendly sort of way. I'll take lazy boredom over the ulceratic life of a busy college student any day. There is a time and place for learning, working, serving the community and all that other "good" stuff. The time is not during the summer, and the place certainly isn't my apartment.\nYou know the phrase "Make hay while the sun shines?" Yeah, don't listen to that. While the sun shines, laze around with a book (not the text kind) in one hand and a glass of something cold in the other. Dream of next semester, when you'll finally buckle down. You'll do all your papers ahead of time, donate blood every day, read "Virginia Woolf" for the heck of it and all that Jane Good Student stuff. And if you fall asleep during that dream, don't worry about it. I'll be proud of you.
(05/04/01 4:23am)
As finals week winds down and seniors prepare for commencement, students across the campus are packing, saying goodbye to friends and preparing to move out of Bloomington for the summer. Empty boxes fill residence hall rooms, students are selling back their textbooks and many are enjoying the freedom of having no classes or homework.\nBut for resident assistants and the professional staff of Residential Programs and Services, the hard work is just beginning, said RPS Director of Residential Operations Bob Weith.\n"The RAs touch base with the residents to make sure that they have the information they need about moving out procedures," Weith said. "They go around and check the rooms to make sure they are in the same condition as the beginning of the year."\nBut sometimes, residence hall rooms are not in the same condition they were in at the start of the academic year. If they are not, RAs are responsible for taking note of damages and reporting them to their supervisors, Weith said.\n"They take inventory to see if anything is damaged. If it is, they take note of it, and perhaps the student is billed if the damage is beyond what we call normal wear and tear."\nTo make the moving out process easier, freshman Lisa Wooldridge, a resident of Wright Quad, said she started packing early.\n"I began moving things home little by little after spring break. I obviously had large appliances left for the last week, and there have been some things I have had to work out," Wooldridge said.\nWooldridge said the maintenance staff at Wright was helpful as she moved out.\n"I removed my air conditioner and I needed help taking it to my car. The maintenance man told me that he wasn't suppose to take it to the car himself, but he helped me out anyway," Wooldridge said. "I'm sure that he's not able to help everyone, but I'm glad that he bended the rules to help me."\nBut despite this help, Wooldridge said she has experienced some difficulty moving out because of residence hall policies.\n"The center desk has required all of the doors to be closed, but it makes it difficult to move large appliances like refrigerators, televisions, computers, etc., out of the dorms, especially if you're moving on your own," Wooldridge said.\nWeith said students can make the moving process easier for themselves and the residence hall staffs by taking responsibility for their trash and their personal belongings, as well as adhering to the move-out schedule. Weith said while it might be difficult for students to move their furniture and possessions out of the residence halls, they need to be sure to do so for safety reasons.\n "Students should do the very best they can to put the room in the same condition they found it," Weith said. "They need to make sure extra furniture they brought is not still in the rooms or left in the hallway. This is a problem every year, as well as a fire hazard."\nMany times, students leave trash in their empty rooms or in the hallways, which Weith said is an inconvenience for the residence hall staffs.\n"Students should make sure to take the trash on down to the dumpster," Weith said. "It's always a temptation to leave it in the room or the hallway."\nBeyond taking care of their furniture and their trash to make moving out easier for the staffs, Weith said students need to protect their possessions at this time of the academic year.\n"As folks move out, it's also a time when they can be victimized," Weith said. "Sometimes, there are problems of theft. Residents should make sure they are being attentive to their possessions."\nAccording to the RPS Web site, www.rps.indiana.edu., students must be fully moved out of the residence halls by 10 a.m. Saturday. Once the residents are moved out, RPS moves in.\nEnvironmental Operations, the division of RPS responsible for care and maintenance of the residence halls, sends in cleaning squads to make repairs, clean and close down the halls for the summer.\n"The environmental operations squads come in and clean. This is our one opportunity for thorough cleaning without students in the buildings," Weith said. "The cleaning squads and the residence halls staffs go from room to room to do any major repairs, make sure windows are shut, etc."\nAs the RAs and the professional staffs work to shut down the residence halls for the summer, Weith said he hopes the RAs are taking care to do one of their most important jobs.\n"I also hope the RAs are doing there best to tell people goodbye and thank them for a good year," Weith said.
(04/26/01 4:34am)
Dear President Bush,\nGeorge, we need to talk. This is my last column of the semester, and while I'll be around for a while this summer, I thought we needed to clear a few things up before I start interning. For some odd reason, I don't think the Indianapolis Star will be giving me as much space on the opinion page as the IDS.\nDon't get me wrong. You're not in too much trouble with me, yet. But you've been walking a fine line lately, because you still haven't personally responded to some of my letters. How can I tell you how to run the country if you don't take the olive branch I've been offering you for months now?\nBut honestly, Dubya. You are once again making it difficult for the American public to trust you, even though you're making it easier for "Saturday Night Live" to make fun of you.\nWednesday morning, I woke up to the news on CNN.com that you've publically declared the United States will do "whatever it takes to help Taiwan defend herself" should Taiwan come under attack from China. This is a controversial statement that should be carefully considered. While it's good you're taking a strong stance and clearing up some of the ambiguity regarding the United States' position on the subject, it's sort of bad timing and an indelicate way to make such a bold statement. \nSure, what you said on "Good Morning America" Tuesday was in keeping with U.S. policy under the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979. It is also in keeping with what you said during your campaign. Defending Taiwan from Chinese attack is a diplomatic move many Americans would support. But Jamie Rubin, a former U.S. State Department spokesman, told CNN after the interview that it's not what you said that was wrong; it's how you said it.\n"The Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 was the subject of extraordinary care and consultation between the Congress and the president," Rubin told CNN. "For President Bush to simply throw that away and … effectively declare Taiwan a treaty ally without consultation with Congress, without a lengthy speech to explain to the American people the reason for undertaking this solemn and grave commitment and without any real consultation with allies … is deeply troubling."\nIt's especially "deeply troubling," Mr. President, in light of the fact that U.S. relations with China aren't great right now. Remember the whole "Chinese fighter jet/Hainan Island/China interrogating the U.S. spy plane crew" thing? I'm sure China does. And I'm sure the American people do.\nWhile I support that you are giving voice to what has been "fuzzy" U.S. diplomatic policy for decades, perhaps it would have been better to lay low for a while. This is a touchy subject with China, and you decide to make this statement while our "reconnaissance" plane is still in China? It wouldn't have hurt to wait a few weeks while the dust settled, George. And really, did the United States have to approve what CNN.com called a "major arms sales package" to Taiwan on the same day? \nThat doesn't show a lot of diplomatic savvy, George. I am sure many Americans are concerned about the less-than-perfect relationship between the United States and China, as it's not conducive to peace or trade. As Rubin said, you should have carefully explained to the American public what you were doing, not just given a few strongly worded blurbs to "Good Morning America." If your intent is to clear up diplomatic ambiguity and take a stronger stance on a policy on which Republicans and Democrats have been relatively united for years, you could have done a much better job. \nNext time, George, consult Congress, hold a press conference and work on your public speaking skills.\nBut that's another column.
(04/12/01 3:38am)
Reading the paper at the gas station as I fill up my car, I balk at President George W. Bush's budget plans. He is proposing to use $1.2 billion from oil leases from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to redistribute those and other funds to put more police on the streets, promote energy conservation and train pediatricians at children's hospitals, according to the Associated Press story I'm reading. \nAs I pay the cashier for the gas and my plastic bottle of Coke, I am appalled at the lack of care our government has been showing for the environment lately. \nWhen will it ever learn?\nDon't Bush and his eco-ignorant lackeys know we have to take care of our planet? This isn't just our collective landfill; it is the place in which our children will grow, and if we don't shape up soon, it will not be a safe or beautiful place in which to live. \nI shake my head in disgust as I throw my newspaper and empty bottle in the trash can. \nWhy can't the government simply sit down and figure out some concrete solutions to the problems our nation is facing? Our country needs actions, not proposals. We need people to set solutions in motion, not sit in an ivory tower in Washington. I ponder this as I cross the street to avoid the shabbily dressed man on Kirkwood Avenue. \nAs I take out some cash from the ATM for my weekend plans, I am mad that the stupid legislators at the state and national level aren't doing their jobs. They are a bunch of greedy WASPS who don't care for the average Joe. They don't take the time to listen to and care about their constituents. \nThey need to wake up and get to know the people whom they supposedly serve. I see those punk skateboarders in front of the library again. What is their deal? Why can't they just act normal for once? \nLater, as I register for my fall classes, I look at the check-off options. The Rape Crisis Fund -- see, it's good that some people are doing something about the problems women face these days, I think as I pass over that option and confirm and print my schedule. There should be more programs like that one. If the morons in Washington would actually do something for once, maybe there would be.\nI mean, what kind of a person is George W. Bush, anyway? He certainly is not a self-made man. He's only where he is because his daddy put him there. He didn't work hard to get where he is today, I think as I activate the option to mail my Bursar bill home to my parents. He doesn't really know what it's like to have to work hard to succeed in life. I mean, would he be where he is today without his parents' money and name?\nWell, I'll give him some credit. At least he is promoting support of "faith-based" organizations. Yes, that is a controversial move, but surely these religious groups and charitable organizations can help alleviate the world's problems. As I pass the collection plate at my church to the person sitting beside me, I feel better knowing there are good people to step in and take over when the government is failing us.\nAs I get ready for bed, I'm still troubled. I wish I could rest easy knowing that the people on Capitol Hill are doing their jobs, but they aren't. Someone should write letters. Someone should really step up and make some phone calls. \nI just wish someone in this world would make a difference, I think as I drift off to sleep.
(04/09/01 4:06am)
Laughter, love and misadventure were the hallmarks of the IU Opera Theater's production of Leonard Bernstein's "Candide" Friday at the Musical Arts Center. The performance featured beautiful music, powerful vocals and a hilarious storyline that made the opera entertaining and unique. The performers seemed to be enjoying themselves onstage, which made the evening enjoyable for the audience.\nThe Symphony Orchestra, skillfully led by guest conductor Michael Barrett, began the performance with the upbeat light overture. It mirrored the optimistic and naive nature of the title character. It was also full of unexpected tempo changes, capturing the surprising and unusual nature of the storyline.\nVoltaire, the author of the satiric novel "Candide," was portrayed in the opera by graduate student Michael Deleget. As Voltaire, he was the sarcastic narrator of the show, slipping into multiple roles and often speaking to the audience to move the plot forward. Deleget was an absolute joy to watch, as he not only sang beautifully, but slipped effortlessly into multiple roles. As Pangloss, Candide's pretentious yet loveable tutor, Deleget was pompous and proud, speaking in a nasal voice. While portraying Cacambo, a poor man who helped Candide in many sticky situations, Delegat had a delightfully bad Spanish accent and outlandish body language. While he was interesting and humorous, it was difficult at times to understand what Delegat was saying or singing. This was especially apparent when he was speaking over the orchestra and the singing.\nGraduate student David Ray played the perpetually optimistic Candide. Ray had a strong, clear voice and brought to life the many aspects of his character very well. He brought depth to a character that could easily be portrayed in a one-dimensional manner. Like Delegat, it was also hard to understand Ray at some points, but this problem was alleviated by the screen above the stage displaying the lyrics.\nCunegonde, the beautiful yet greedy object of Candide's affections, was portrayed by graduate student Shallen Atkins. She stole the show with a witty rendition of "Glitter and be Gay," simultaneously mourning and reveling in the fact that she had been reduced to the mistress of two wealthy men who showered her with gifts. Her range was impressive, and her voice was strong and steady even when she was moving about the space.\nThe versatile set designed by professor C. David Higgins provided an excellent vehicle for the action, changing from a palace to a ship to a jungle in the blink of an eye. The set was colorful and outlandish, adding to the humor and sarcastic nature of the show.\nThe costumes, designed for the Opera Theater of St. Louis, were beautiful in their simplicity, but it was often difficult to distinguish one character from another because of their similarity. At the same time, they were versatile and never distracted attention from the characters.\nOverall, the performance was entertaining and enjoyable. Although the fantastical situations and almost slapstick humor was a bit tiresome by the end of the production, the excellent vocals and orchestration made the production worthwhile. "Candide" is an excellent initial opera for those unfamiliar with the art, as the lyrics are in English, the music is melodic and upbeat, and the storyline is humorous and fun to watch. This production was an excellent way to end the season of "Magic, Mystery and Mayhem" of the IU Opera Theater.
(04/05/01 3:56am)
If there's one thing I've learned while working for the IDS, it's that everyone has something to say.\nThis is a good thing. And I want to hear what you have to say about ethics in journalism.\nThe IDS staff has been working this semester to review and revise its code of ethics, the guidelines we strive to follow to make our publication accurate, unbiased, fair and professional. \nSometimes, we pass our ethics tests with flying colors. Sometimes, we fail miserably, albeit unintentionally. We hope our ethics board meetings will culminate in clear and sound journalistic guidelines for future IDS staffers to follow. \nOur goal is to present the IDS employees and our readership with an updated code of ethics that every staff member will read, understand and follow. An online version and perhaps a print version once a semester will let the public know where we stand on many journalistic topics.\nThe ethics board members are managing editor Andy Gammill, design chief Tim Street, photo editor Jessica Stuart, new media director Rob Pongsajapan, online design chief Sara Despain, reporter and next fall's editor in chief Gina Czark and yours truly. Advisers to the board are editor in chief Brooke Ruivivar, news adviser and publisher David Adams and assistant editorial adviser Beth Moellers.\nOur code of ethics contains the guidelines we follow on a daily basis, a foundation for decision-making. The craft of newspaper reporting is all about constantly updating information as quickly and accurately as possible, making a newsroom a busy and hectic place. Our code of ethics keeps us grounded as we make choices that affect how our readers see the world.\nWe've been meeting almost every Friday this semester, gathering input from staff members, professional journalists and other publications to see how we need to revise our code. We've been discussing and researching topics such as photo alterations and illustrations, the use of confidential sources, obtaining input from both sides of a story and working for outside publications. \nI'm sure some of you, perhaps even some of my most loyal readers, have already abandoned this column because you're not interested in the finer points of journalism. But I also know many of you have strong opinions on many of the topics we are discussing, and I would love to get your input. I will take the feedback you give me and present it to the board in upcoming meetings.\nThe highest calling of any publication is to serve its readership with thorough, accurate, in-depth and unbiased coverage. The only way the IDS staff can serve you better is for you to tell us about your concerns. That is why we have the Jordan River Forum, the Listening Tour, an ombudsman and our Ethics Board. To make these meetings successful, we need reader response. Whether you think we are doing a great job as budding professional journalists, or you think we're a bunch of no-talent hacks, we welcome your input. \nIf you have questions, comments or concerns for the IDS staff regarding the code of ethics, please e-mail me at lewald@indiana.edu. Thank you for reading the IDS. We hope that our updated code of ethics will help us serve our readership better in future semesters.
(03/29/01 4:23am)
Sharpened pencils, new pens brimming with ink, empty notebooks, a couple thousand dollars worth of new textbooks … I love starting a new semester. \nHalf-eaten sandwiches rotting in the bottom of a backpack, essays written hastily with the help of Cliffs Notes and a thesaurus two hours before they're due, random syllabi floating around in a cluttered, much-doodled notebook … I detest the last few weeks of a semester.\nI had such good academic intentions this time around, as I'm sure we all did. The first few weeks in January, I was Jane Good Student, doing assignments on time and thoroughly, using the highlighters and index cards I bought, actually showering and dressing nicely before going to class, even reading ahead. I made lists. \nYes, I was a nerd, but at least I was a nerd with Dean's List potential. A dork who was in control of her life, a Goody-Two-Shoes who could actually find two shoes to wear in the morning because her closet was clean. For a few shining weeks, I went to every class, paid attention and participated. But my glory days of academia are long gone.\nLike many fellow Hoosiers, I'm wallowing around in apathy, guilt and self-pity, a state of disorganization and failure that was caused by my very own self. I'm a good girl, I am, but I'm so far down in the depths of late-semester rot I can't see the sunlight that is a 3.5. \nI've taken more than my share of "mental health days." These are the days when I skip class, swearing up and down that I'll catch up on homework, write a truly thought-provoking column (stop laughing), do laundry and unearth missing assignments from underneath my bed. Sad to say, I usually spend these days watching TV, goofing around on the Internet and plotting to order cheese sticks or Jiffy Treet or both with my roommates.\nSomewhere between the first and the seventh week of classes, many students undergo the same transformation I do, morphing from smiling students who do their homework and go to class to lazy rebels who claim they don't care anymore. \nAnd then, you wake up one day in a cold sweat, realizing that you do care. Or, at least, you wake up and realize that your parents care, or the financial aid people care, or your potential employers will care. Then, the panic sets in. Exams that were once safely four weeks away are suddenly four days away, and you haven't cracked open the textbook since … well, you haven't cracked it open yet. Papers you knew you could write in the blink of an eye turn into a big, empty, scary void in Microsoft Word that you stare at, tripping over writers' block. \nWhat to do? Go to office hours? No, too obvious … your professor might see through that, because they'll probably have to look up your name because they've never seen you before this panic attack, and then they'll see the absences you've been racking up. But don't panic, just clip out this column and tack it on your bulletin board, if you can find it. Once again, Laura will bail you out of a bad situation.\nYour academic problems can be solved with one little word: Prioritize! \nHomework, exams, term papers, laundry, going to the grocery store, calling the parents, yes, you've got a lot to do. Or do you? You don't get graded on clean clothes, do you? Didn't think so. You don't pass/fail on eating healthy, right? There you go. Mom and dad are important, but they're not due tomorrow or anything, are they? I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this. Do all your "to do's" on a graded basis … if you don't get a grade for it, it's not all that important.\nFor the next few weeks, you might be slightly smelly and a bit disheveled. You might lose all contact with your friends and family. In all likelihood, you won't see a square meal. \nBut you will make it, and you will pass. If all else fails, remember the sage words of my cousin, Chris: "'D' equals 'diploma."
(03/05/01 4:26am)
Bittersweet Irish music filled the University Theatre Friday, setting the tone for Brian Friel's "Translations." The stage was transformed into a rustic farmhouse and the student actors were transformed into hearty townspeople, full of life, joy and pain. The play simultaneously explored how love transcends language, and how suppressing a language can suppress a people.\nThe young people in the small community of Baile Beag, County Donegal are taught by the lovably intellectual Hugh, senior George Bookwalter, at the home of the perpetually daydreaming Jimmy Jack, portrayed by senior Ray Tice. The students are lively and loud, eager to learn and socialize. Their revelry is pleasantly interrupted by the appearance of their friend Owen, graduate student Ira Amyx, who has been away for six years. He has succeeded in business in Dublin and is now aiding the British army in making a map of Ireland.\nIn charge of the cartographical mission is the brisk and presumptuous Lancey, portrayed by senior and IDS columnist Duncan Teater. Owen translates Lancey's English message into Gaelic for the townspeople; he tells them of the map and hints at military occupation. Lancey's message is well-received by all except Manus, portrayed by graduate student Chris Nelson, who is wary of the British.\nLancey's assistant, Yolland, senior Kurt Schlachter, is eager to learn more about the Gaelic language and the people of Baile Beag. His job is to translate the Gaelic names for the locations on the map into English names. While doing so, he falls in love with the Gaelic language, the green countryside and a fiery Irish student, Maire, played by junior Jessica Cannon. Maire has talked with Manus of marriage, but is disappointed by his lack of ambition and is considering a new life in America. She wants to learn English, as do some of the other students.\nAs the plot progresses with Maire and Yolland falling in love, Manus' departure and Lancey becoming outraged at Yolland's disappearance, there is a foreshadowing of tumult in Ireland's near future. As the Gaelic language dies, so will the peace in the land and its independence. The mysterious, beautiful Gaelic names on the Irish map are Anglicized, and the culture will eventually be overtaken as well. The vivacious Bridget, senior Lauren Graf, is paranoid about a "sweet smell," an eerie premonition of the Great Irish Potato Famine that ravaged the country in 1845, according to the program.\nScenic designer and graduate student Namok Bae's simplistic set was a gorgeous backdrop for the actors, giving a comfortable, familiar and rustic feel to the play. Costume designer and graduate student Amanda Bailey's outfits, from traditional peasant garb to Lancey and Yolland's impressive English uniforms were beautiful and appropriate, never upstaging the actors. Becky Hardy, lighting and sound designer, created an unforgettable final scene, with the red glow of a fire blazing through the barn doors, creating a forlorn silhouette of Maire.\nThe actors, under the skilled directing of associate professor Bruce Burgun, did a wonderful job with a demanding script. Their Gaelic and English accents were authentic and natural, although the Gaelic was at times difficult to understand. Their reactions were honest and open, and their onstage camaraderie made the audience feel as if they were looking in on a gathering of old, familiar friends. Their interpretation of the piece was powerful, and "Translations" overall was a stunning production.
(03/02/01 4:38am)
It doesn't always take guns, airplanes, armies or brute force to win a war. In the case of Great Britain's occupation and overtaking of Ireland in the 19th century, it took words.\nIrish playwright Brian Friel's "Translations" explores the destructive and healing powers of language, and how one's native tongue shapes one's identity. "Translations" opens at 8 p.m. today at the University Theatre.\nSet in the small community of Baile Beag, Donegal County in 1833, Friel's work illustrates the hardships the Irish faced when the English annexation of the country virtually eradicated the Gaelic language. The action takes place in a local barn that is transformed into a schoolhouse, where members of the farming community are taught a new tongue.\nIn "Translations," the loss of language affects more than communication; it affects identity, and sense of self, director and associate theater professor Bruce Burgun said.\n"Culture is embodied in language. And identity is tied to knowing your culture," Burgun said. "If you take away someone's language, you destroy their sense of identity."\nThe importance and power of language, as well as its destructive potential, is a universal theme with which modern audiences can identify, Burgun said.\n"The play begins with a character struggling to say her name -- a lost soul struggling to find her identity," Burgun said. "Think on what European Americans did to Native Americans and African Americans. They obliterated their language, took away their names, and doing so, like the play, with the best intentions. But blind naivete decimate their identity."\nTo fully explore their characters and bring them to life, the actors worked extensively with the Gaelic accent and did cultural research, said senior Lauren Graf, who portrays Bridget.\n"We did tons of work with Mary Baird, our vocal coach," Graf said. "We listened to tapes with accents and did a lot of research on the history of Ireland."\nGraf said the process was challenging and enjoyable.\n"It was so rewarding … the bonding and relationships you get to have with other people," Graf said. "Our characters are so rowdy and loving and loud and obnoxious … it's so much fun to play that."\nBurgun said the greatest challenge of crafting this production has been treating the script with sensitivity and doing the story justice.\n"The challenge for this production is the challenge for any production -- and that is to do it right," Burgun said. "To tell the story with respect, comprehension, detail, insight, honesty, spontaneity and passion. And to tell the story to this particular audience."\nBurgun said he enjoyed watching the students stretch and grow as actors.\n"(The biggest reward was) watching the actors grow. Observing them seizing the opportunity granted them. Making the characters, circumstances and relationships real and personal to them," Burgun said. "Working to overcome their initial preconceptions to achieve a wonderfully human something that is far beyond their mental abilities to imagine. \n"That hasn't been easy, but that is why I teach and create theater at this level"
(03/01/01 3:53am)
Wading through staples of casual conversation such as the weather, pop culture and student life, I find myself stumbling over the media lately. What used to be a bashing session in which I could easily take part is now a touchy subject for this reporter. After hundreds of hours in the newsroom, interviewing IU President Myles Brand, following the Bob Knight riot crowd and surviving election night, I have a different perspective of the press. For me, it's not "us versus them" anymore … now, I'm the "them." \nApparently, a lot of people don't like us.\nTo say the least, election coverage left a lot to be desired. Even the media didn't like the media after the November fiasco. Reporters wrote stories about faulty reporters. Web sites posted articles about erroneous Web site articles. Broadcasters were visibly chagrined.\nOne White House committee's Valentine's Day gift to journalists was a report claiming shady election coverage was a Republican conspiracy that might have skewed the results.\n"Television news organizations staged a collective drag race on the crowded highway of democracy, recklessly endangering the electoral process, the political life of the country and their own credibility, all for reasons that may be conceptually flawed and commercially questionable," said Ben Wattenberg of the American Enterprise Institute in the report, according to the CNN Web site.\n"Amen!" shouts Citizen Laura.\n"Not true!" counters Journalist Laura, hereafter referred to as "J. Lo."\nWhat really dimples Citizen Laura's chads is that she trusts these journalists. She reads and watches the news every day for information and for pleasure, not to be kept on pins and needles because some network heads wanted to break the big story.\nAs a reporter, J. Lo. is frustrated with a public that cries for instantaneous information, the inside scoop, the close-up shot, the "20/20" heartbreak, now, now, now, now, now and expects it to be free of human error.\nMy split media personality is a result of my curious nature and my journalistic training. Citizen Laura demands to know why Florida was called and re-called, why there are spelling errors in print despite fancy schmancy software and why once self-respecting newshounds are now chasing after fluff pieces to raise their speaking fees.\nCitizen Laura almost, but not quite, understands why people dub Bloomington newspapers the "Indiana Daily Stupid" and the "Horrible-Terrible." (Not the most creative titles, but we get the point.)\nJ. Lo. understands the hard work, the long hours, the low pay and the noble nature of the free press. And despite its many flaws, she loves being a part of it.\nYes, I'm the one who misspelled "Malcolm" in a headline to a story about Malcolm X last week. But I'm also part of a team that writes, polishes and presents powerful and informative information to the student body.\nWriting this column has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I love that my thoughts, my words and my experiences make people think, make people laugh and make people mad. Reader response, be it praise, well-written rhetoric or non-constructive criticism that makes me want to scream, is the highlight of many days. As a budding journalist, I can extend my reception of feedback to include comments about the media at large, good and bad.\nWhile I read letters to the editor as I edit copy, Citizen Laura cheers on the active readers who applaud and bash the IDS. When I get personal e-mails about copy editing mistakes, Citizen Laura makes a note of them and tries never to make the same mistake twice. (The operative word here is "tries.")\nSimultaneously, J. Lo. reads the letters and wonders if some of the writers remember that, while the IDS is a professional publication and we strive for the best, we're students. We're learning. By all means, call us out if we offend you, but do it in a manner that will help us learn, not make us feel dejected. As J. Lo. reads e-mails about copy mistakes, she wonders if other people have jobs. Those who work in restaurants, in residence halls, for companies, in retail sales … all these people make mistakes. It's just that their mistakes aren't set in 17,000 print editions five days a week.\nAs I write this column, I'm disenchanted with the press and the public. In a perfect press world, the truth would be printed in a completely accurate, unbiased, grammatically correct manner at the speed of light. J. Lo. certainly has her work cut out for her.\nIn a perfect society, the public would use criticism responsibly to improve the frontrunner of the Information Age, not bite the hand that feeds it. Citizen Laura needs to stop and think.
(02/20/01 5:29am)
Laughter, tears, screaming, silence and moaning filled the Fine Arts Auditorium at 3 p.m. Sunday as 13 women from the IU and Bloomington communities presented "The Vagina Monologues" to a standing-room-only crowd. \nThe audience, composed of people of all ages, genders and races, was united in appreciation of the show, which deals with a usually taboo topic -- the vagina. The crowd contributed as much to the production as the actresses themselves: their laughter, applause and response created a comfortable, accepting mood in which the performers could shine.\nPlaywright Eve Ensler's work, written after conducting interviews with women of all ages and backgrounds across the country, was presented in a showcase format. Each performer was dressed in red and took the bare stage with three microphones and the energy of the crowd. Some pieces were set up with introductions, but many needed no explanation. \nEach actress brought talent, honesty and vulnerability to her monologue. The tone of the show ranged from a 6-year-old's innocence and honesty in "I Asked a Six-Year-Old Girl," performed by Emily Land, to the confidence of graduate student Alicia Suarez' dominatrix in "The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy," to the heartbreak of rape and war in "My Vagina Was My Village," performed by junior Jessica Carlin and Laura Smith.\nThese different emotional levels made the show unique and poignant. Each piece had many layers, most notably in "My Angry Vagina," superbly performed by Diane Kondrat, executive director of InterAction Theater, Inc. She was energized and focused on the stage, kicking a chair over one minute and laughing at herself the next. Her piece was reminiscent of a stand-up routine, decrying the injustices vaginas face on a daily basis: tampons, gynecological visits and insensitivity at large. But her monologue closed with her revealing what her vagina wants, or in essence, what her character wants: "beauty … silence … kindness … everything."\nThe actresses effortlessly took on other lives like different changes of clothes. In "I was 12. My Mother Slapped Me," junior Jada Barbry was a scared girl dealing with her first menstrual period. In "The Little Coochi Snorcher That Could," she was a confident old woman reminiscing about life experiences that made her strong. Without elaborate costuming and make-up, Bloomington resident Brandie Baucco, through her voice and movements, effectively portrayed a grandmother who was in awe of her daughter-in-law's vagina after witnessing her grandchild's birth in "I Was There in the Room."\nAt the opening and closing of the performance, director Abigail Katz and producer Debby Herbenick stressed the reason for the show: raising money for Middle Way House and the Office of Women's Affairs. To illustrate the need for funds, awareness and education, event organizers gave people in the audience a sticker. At the end of the show, those people were asked to stand. They illustrated the statistical number of women who are raped or sexually violated each year in the United States. \nThough much of the show was humorous and candid, the performance left many in the audience with a sober reminder that women are abused every day. By discussing, presenting and embracing pieces dealing with vaginas, female sexuality, rape and childbirth, IU's production of "The Vagina Monologues" entertained and educated the crowd.
(02/15/01 2:53am)
Happy late Valentine's Day, sweethearts! I hope you all had a great day filled with love, friendship, family and, more importantly, chocolate. \nBut as wonderful as candy hearts (U R Great) and red plush (insert cheesy shape of novelty here) gifts are, Valentine's Day has gotten a little out of control. I enjoy flowers and cards as much as the next person, but enough is enough. Valentine's Day has slowly but surely risen to the top of the media's and the business world's "Seek Out and Commercialize" list, right up there with Christmas and Easter. \nAll that holiday hubbub on the Internet, television, magazines and even here at the IDS made me feel sorry for those poor little holidays that get overlooked. Flag Day, for example. No one ever gears up for Flag Day. There are no cards, no songs, no candy…it's just another random blurb on the calendar. \nSo in honor of our lesser-known, not-yet exploited holidays, here are a few days I feel should be more celebrated. Just as the economy starts to take a little turn for the worse, perhaps boosting retail sales for the following dates could make Alan Greenspan smile:\nArbor Day\nYay trees! They're green, oxygen-producing, good for making houses and paper, and they look pretty in the fall. All these good qualities, and no one has capitalized on Arbor Day! Think of all the tree possibilities: tree-shaped cookies and candy, balloons, cards, e-cards, expensive Tiffany tree jewelry. \nTo prepare for April 27, visit the good people at www.arborday.org. They'll hook you up with tree information and celebration supplies. (Note to IU Student Association candidates: Push for no classes on Arbor Day, and I'll vote for you.)\nCanadian Boxing Day\nWhy is this random day on every calendar? Why ISN'T it?! Canadian Boxing Day, Dec. 26, is a day when some families give boxes of gifts to those who provide services throughout the year. \nThe tradition might have started when the church poor boxes were opened on that day, or maybe from boxes with which apprentices collected money from their masters' clients, according to Canadian Heritage Ministry. \nWe could Americanize this holiday with huge boxes stuffed with goodies which we would give to co-workers and bosses. Nothing says brownie points at work like good ol' CBD.\nFlag Day\nWho likes red? White? Blue? Then this celebration is sure to please. Mark your calendars for June 14, a day destined to go down in IU fame right alongside Little 500 weekend and Spring Break.\nFlag Day. The parties, the mayhem, the frenzied madness. I can't wait to tell my kids about how I tore it up FD 2K(1), and I'm sure your experiences will be history-worthy as well.\nBut these are just a few commercializing suggestions. Remember, exploitation of time-honored tradition boosts the economy and your social life. Mark your calendars and get ready to party in the months ahead!
(02/08/01 3:32am)
\"He's blurring the lines between church and state!" "He's taking government funds to aid religious organizations!" "He's a theist!"\nBlah, blah, blah.\nThis is all you've got? There's plenty to complain about: cutting reproductive counseling overseas (no, I'm not pro-choice, but I am pro-education and pro-women's health); unsettled voter concerns, in Florida and elsewhere (not necessarily GW's fault); lack of response to my personal letter. \n But, "He's being to church-y?" "He's a do-gooder?" Come on, people. If this is why you're complaining about President George W. Bush now, you're really reaching.\nHoneys, sit back down...shh. I know it's important to keep church (mosque, synagogue, temple, etc.) and state separate. I'm all about diversity, harmony, individuality and group hugs. Whatever your religious or nonreligious beliefs, you can be my friend. Although I'm a big God fan and my faith is very important to me, I'm a big non-fan of shoving one's religious beliefs down other people's throats. Government should not interfere with personal faith or non-faith. \nWhile we can't all agree on one god or even the existence of said god, we can agree on the importance of human kindness. Our nation can stand united on the necessity of compassion, education, generosity and unity. (OK, end of sappy list. But my heart is in the right place.)\nI say if the government is willing to take steps to aid religious, civic and charity work, I am willing to be flexible enough to see the good in this unprecedented (pun absolutely intended) step and work with it. Whether the food drive/blood drive/diversity panel/benefit showcase is happening in the Indiana Memorial Union, Hillel Center, Wright Quad or St. Paul's Catholic Center or anywhere else, I say "Amen!" Um...I mean, "Yay!" \nPerhaps the reason Bush's proposal has met with so much opposition is that Joe and Jane W. Citizen might be asked or feel compelled to...gasp...DO something about our country's problems instead of...relieved sigh...only complain about them. \nWe can all talk big about the horrible state of our nation's schools, racism, pollution and other American works in progress, but do we do anything about them? Do you volunteer to help the organizations and causes you believe in? Do you write to your state and national representatives?\nDo you even know who they are?\nWhile I'm on my soapbox, Jim Reader, did you even vote?\n"The lines were too long."\nWah. Try fighting in a war, being thrown in jail or protesting for the right to vote.\n"I wasn't sure if I was registered or not." \nIt's not like Election Day is a secret. You have the time and resources to find out where and when you exercise your most precious right.\n"I didn't like the candidates."\nIt's called a primary. Use it.\n"My vote doesn't count!"\nWhat is this, Florida? Of course your vote counts.\nI know political and social participation are not as simple as I make them seem, by my point is this: You have a right to complain, but only if you have a) voted b) done something, if possible, about your beef and c) made sure your heart is in the right place. \nIf you're complaining just to sound smart in a political discussion, keep your head above water with your extreme left/right/middle family members or get brownie points in a class, save it. \nOur nation doesn't have time to sit around and whine.
(02/01/01 6:42am)
Slowly, it dawned on me that nothing was more important than stopping violence toward women -- that the desecration of women indicated the failure of human beings to honor and protect life and that this failing would, if we did not correct it, be the end of us all. -- Eve Ensler, introduction to "The Vagina Monologues." \nPlaywright Eve Ensler's words describing the purpose and catalyst of her controversial work, "The Vagina Monologues," are reflected in the play itself. Often humorous, at times heart-wrenching and always honest, Ensler's work brings to light the myths, taboos and misconceptions surrounding the source of life, womanhood and female sexuality, the vagina.\nWhat began as a one-woman show has become an international effort to end violence and oppression against women that has spread to IU. "The Vagina Monologues" will be performed by 13 women Feb. 15 and 18 as a part of the "V-Day" celebration.\nAccording to the event's Web site, www.vday.org, "V-Day is a global movement to end violence against girls and women. V-Day is a decision, an energy, a spirit, a day -- Valentine's Day -- for which annual theatrical and artistic events are produced in local, national and international venues to raise money and to transform consciousness."\nThis year, IU's V-Day celebration is headed by Debbie Herbenick, visiting research associate with the Kinsey Institute. Herbenick helped organize last year's IU performance of "The Vagina Monologues," and while she said she was pleased by the event, she said she hopes this year's celebration will be "bigger and better."\n"It's a super show," Herbenick said. "It's shocking, intriguing and some people find it embarrassing. But we want people to be comfortable using words like 'vagina' and 'vulva.'"\nWhile Ensler's piece strives to open dialogue about female sexuality and genitalia, Herbenick said one of the main purposes of the show is to discuss and prevent violence against women.\n"We want women to talk about their experiences, especially about violence," Herbenick said. "We want people to talk about solutions to this problem."\nBloomington resident Abby Katz, a performer in last year's production and director of this year's performance, said while the show covers profound topics, it is also humorous.\n"I think people will laugh," Katz said. "I think people are going to be turned on. It's enlightening and erotic."\nKatz said the show will include readings, performances and improvisations of the monologues, and will include some audience participation.\n"In the days before the show, we plan to have stands at the (Indiana Memorial) Union," she said. "Women can stop by and answer questions, and we'll read the answers during the show."\nBut while the show is focused on empowering and recognizing women, Katz said men are welcome to attend the show. She said while last year's audience was composed mostly of women, many men attended and enjoyed the production.\n"Men loved it. Some stood up and clapped," Katz said.\nKatz and Herbenick said they hope the performance, despite its often taboo topic, will spark conversation and education on campus.\n"Most people never talk about vaginas, which is sad," Katz said. "They used to be worshipped as the source of life."\nHerbenick said all proceeds from the show will go to the Middle Way House and will be distributed to other women's charities by the Office of Women's Affairs. She said she hopes V-Day becomes an annual IU event.\n"We plan to make it an IU tradition," she said. "We want to see it grow at IU."\n"The Vagina Monologues" will be performed at 7 p.m. Feb. 15 and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Fine Arts Auditorium. Suggested donation is $5, and all proceeds go to Middle Way House and the Office of Women's Affairs.