25 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
(10/28/10 12:36am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The leaves are changing, and that means only one thing: It’s time for Halloween, and I couldn’t be more excited.Growing up, one of my neighbors decorated his house as a haunted graveyard. In order to collect your candy, you had to make your way through the yard (and get chased by masked ghouls with chainsaws) up to the front door. Half of the neighborhood loved the spectacle; the others thought this guy was crazy.At my elementary school, there was always one girl who didn’t celebrate Halloween. Whether because of her family’s devout Christianity or her parents’ reluctance to start her on a path toward ever more revealing costumes, she would sit out bitterly at school Halloween celebrations. Other kids felt bad that she was missing out. I was happy because it meant more candy for me. It occurred to me that there’s the off chance that my roommates and I might get some trick-or-treaters at our door this year. I’m not sure if we have any candy-like food items in our house — perhaps a month-old liter of Coke Zero or handful of off-brand trail mix will do. Younger kids aside, there’s the time-honored tradition of women doing everything in their power to wreck the upstanding reputations of various occupations. All the achievements of feminists go right out the window come Oct. 31. Even in high school, it shocked me what parents would let their little angels wear (not that I complained). It always seems there are a lot of future nurses, maids and Hooters employees out there. After all these costumes, I get disappointed when I go to the doctor’s office and get my temperature taken by a saggy 50-year-old woman. Despite its popularity in most of North America, Halloween isn’t embraced as much in some other countries. Many Australians express concern that the event is irrelevant to their culture and that celebrating it represents an invasion of American culture on their turf. Recently, however, it has become more popular; trick-or-treating and other Halloween traditions have gained prominence. Halloween is also waning in Switzerland, where people associate the holiday as an American import in a time when our country faces widespread dislike abroad. A major retailer theorized that it is hard for the country to identify with a custom that was largely popularized in the U.S. As a result, sales of Halloween-related items have dropped in recent years as the Swiss embrace more basic and less purchase-driven celebrations. There are complaints about Halloween domestically beyond the usual societal concerns of provocative costumes donned by women young and old. Americans continue to open their wallets wider each year to gear up for the big day. The National Retail Federation estimates that per-person spending on Halloween goods will exceed $66 this year, up from around $56 last year. Think about it, though: was there a time when Halloween wasn’t commercial? It’s not like there’s a major holiday concealed under all the fluff — at least Christmas is based on the birth of Christ. I’m pretty sure few people are celebrating Halloween for any reason other than to get a break from the usual routine. I hope this doesn’t offend all our Pagan readers out there — sorry that this “holiday” undermines Samhain. Administrative assistants’ day will always be the hallmark Hallmark holiday. Halloween might be becoming an increasing symbol of excess, but I don’t mind. I like spending too much money on costumes, decorations and “treats.” Especially at a school where no fall break is bestowed upon the students, we need some time off after midterms. This year, I’m going as a gorilla, complete with a Scream mask and my dad’s ’90s-era Air Jordans (hey, primates gotta have swag, too). If you see me out trick-or-treating, be sure to say hello.For me, Halloween is a chance to forget about the stress of school and relive a part of my life where the biggest question I faced was what my after-school snack would be. Sometimes, you just pine for the good old days of fourth grade.With that in mind, have fun this weekend, be safe and make the most of this beloved weekend when you can be a kid once again.E-mail: biglehar@indiana.edu
(10/13/10 10:25pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Kids grow up so fast these days.Gone is the era of adorable first-graders who play harmoniously together at recess. Instead, we’re raising a generation of mean-spirited kids who bully and tease.Part of the problem is biological. As the average age of onset of puberty inches ever younger, children are dealing with the effects of hormones earlier. Girls often mature earlier than boys. In addition, modern culture presents a different view of the world to today’s kids than even my generation saw. Behaviors that would have been taboo during our parents’ generation are now considered normal.The movie “Mean Girls” presents an intense view of high school cliques. Tina Fey, the film’s writer and co-star, saw this comedy film in a different light, saying, “It’s much too close to [young girls’] real experiences so they are not exactly guffawing.” What older generations interpret as humor, young people see as the harsh truth.When I worked at a day camp for elementary school students this past summer, I was appalled by the behavior among some of the kids. “Boyfriend” drama was common with first graders, and we dealt with numerous crying children daily due to bullying. My coworkers and I received many hours of training on how to deal with bad behavior, but all of these workshops proved unhelpful when it came to dealing with teasing and mocking that occurred out of our range of sight. When we cracked down, they improvised. Restroom breaks became gossip sessions. To our frustration, the bullying continued throughout the summer. One of our students had a learning disability, and other children made fun of him mercilessly. We tried our best to keep a closer watch over the kids who tended to “bring the drama,” talked with the children as whole and discussed the issues with their parents. Some promised to take action. Others were apathetic. “Can’t you just fix this?” one mom asked. My 19-year-old childless self was shocked — I was hired as a counselor, not a surrogate father.Obviously, this is circumstantial evidence. Perhaps bullying has been a huge issue for many years, and we’re only now bringing its extent to light. Bullying increases school absenteeism and hurts self-esteem, confidence and happiness. Clearly, this problem has wide-reaching effects. Most bullies have been bullied themselves. This problem can develop into a vicious cycle unless measures are taken to stop it. According to the United States Department of Education, 22 percent of elementary school administrators report having problems with bullying. As students age, bullying turns into gang activity and racial tension. In the wake of recent suicides among teenagers and college students, we know that bullying is evolving. In this generation that is the most “wired” ever, tormentors are increasingly turning to the web. The anonymity that the Internet allows has added even more complexity to this problem.Have you seen the recent movie, “The Social Network?” Facebook was practically founded on a mean-hearted prank. Okay, maybe this movie isn’t completely accurate, but it’s interesting to ponder nonetheless.Even though these tragic events might seem completely disconnected from elementary school students, they aren’t. We know that habits and behaviors that kids develop in their younger years tend to stick with them throughout their lives. Bullying turns into harassment — or worse. Last weekend, I participated in an activity with an organization in which I’m involved where everyone stood in a circle and stepped forward if a certain statement applied to them. I’d taken part in a similar experience before, but nobody present really took it seriously. This time, however, things were different.We started out with lighter statements, such as having everyone not from the state of Indiana step forward. Quickly, they got more serious. The topics addressed included addiction, sexual abuse and loss of loved ones to cancer. This activity really made me ponder the fact that we all deal with hardship in life. Why, then, do we criticize each other’s flaws?I can’t say I’ve never bullied anybody or taken a joke too far, but thinking about the possible repercussions of what I say (or, these days, type) has helped prompt me to think twice before I speak or send.When I was a child, my mom used to tell me, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say it at all.” Perhaps we should all take this advice to heart.E-mail: biglehar@indiana.edu
(09/29/10 11:13pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>“We just want the government out of our lives,” quotes an article I read recently about the Tea Party. Hmmm, not much to question there.Surprisingly enough, I support the Tea Party movement on the matter of principle. I’m thankful that I live in a country where people are free to express their views and question authority. When I see a gaggle of 50-somethings on CNN toting silly hats and large, colorful posters, I chuckle and then appreciate that such a thing is allowed in the United States. My main problem with the Tea Party is its lack of a solid plan detailing how they want to shrink the government. Because there is not an all-encompassing entity that represents everyone who identifies with this movement, it is difficult to summarize their general views.Heck, one of the independent Tea Party organizations (Tea Party Nation) is a for-profit company. Nothing like a little capitalism to propel a political movement, eh?I wish that Tea Partiers could be a little more cordial about changing Washington. Yes, I understand you’re upset about health reform, but is it necessary for you to call Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., a “faggot?” Obviously the views of a few don’t necessarily represent the majority, but these outliers certainly aren’t doing the movement any favors.Also, many Tea Party candidates are a complete joke. There, I said it. Christine O’Donnell and Sharon Angle are the laughingstock of the political arena. I don’t care if they might win in November; they are not qualified to be senators.For those who are confused, the Tea “Party” doesn’t really exist. All Tea Party-supported candidates fall under the umbrella of the GOP. You could compare most mainstream Republicans’ view of the Tea Party to the way you feel about your redneck uncle from West Virginia — you have to love him because he’s in your family, but you don’t exactly brag about sharing his DNA. Another problem with the Tea Party is that it might end up hurting the GOP, which is kind of antithetical to its cause in the first place. In at least two races around the country (Alaska and Delaware), Democrats have been handed the chance to claim seats for which they wouldn’t have otherwise been in the running. It’s one thing to win a primary, but it’s another thing entirely to win a general election.With that in mind, some Republicans have cast a bitter gaze on Tea Party candidates. Realizing that her views are a little extreme for Delaware, the National Republican Senatorial Committee tried their darnedest to make O’Donnell lose the GOP primary there. The committee instead supported her (much) more moderate opponent, Mike Castle. After O’Donnell won, they issued a terse statement “congratulating” her and promised to support her financially. The GOP should be thankful for at least one thing about the Tea Party; it’s helping to keep Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele out of the news (you almost forgot about him, didn’t you?). It’s been quite a while since I last heard about one of his high-profile gaffes.Although it has received less media attention, there is also a leftist version of the Tea Party called the Coffee Party U.S.A. On the party’s website, it states its purpose as to “... [give a] voice to Americans who want to see cooperation in government.” Apparently, two can play the game of attempting to change the way Washington does business. The reason why the Coffee Party hasn’t gotten as much of the spotlight is because those who would be inclined to support the group are pretty happy with the way the government is operating right now. Sure, they’re upset about the deficit and worried what health reform might entail, but overall, they support the changes that are happeningin Washington. If the GOP does end up regaining control of the House of Representatives this fall, I would imagine that we’ll see the tables turn. It will again be the liberals’ chance to raise hell and tote obnoxious signs while Republicans actually get work done.When it comes down to it, I’m glad people are waking up and getting involved in politics. For far too long, Americans have sat idly by as the federal government has amassed debt and enacted programs that waste our taxpayer dollars. I obviously have some qualms with the way things are going in this country. Instead of embarrassing myself on national television, though, I plan to do the most effective thing I can this fall: vote.E-mail: biglehar@indiana.edu
(09/15/10 9:35pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Uncle Sam is a fantastic employer. This summer I made more than minimum wage chasing down people who didn’t return their census questionnaires. My official job title was “enumerator,” but I’d say it would be more accurately described as “door knocker/verbal punching bag.” I only worked for the Census Bureau for about four weeks, but in this short time I learned some interesting lessons.You’re part of the reason I have a job in the first place.Maybe you should have taken 10 minutes out of your day and sent back your Census form. The Census ended up being $1.6 billion below budget. A federal program returned money to the government. That’s not something you see every day (or ever).Another common complaint from citizens was privacy, which I will admit was a valid concern. However, before starting my job, I had to sign a document stating that I could be fined and even imprisoned if I shared any “personally identifying information” from my job with other people. I don’t know how data was handled after I turned it in, but rest assured, I wasn’t gabbing about peoples’ names, races or (gasp) dates of birth.I definitely had some sketchy encounters while working in south Davenport, Iowa (yes, there are bad neighborhoods in Iowa). I opened up the local paper one morning to learn that there had been a shooting about one block from my assignment area the evening prior. Nothing like good ‘ole gunfire to get you pumped for a day’s work. Then there was the guy who chained up his pitbull outside his house every time he saw me pull into the neighborhood. He was probably one of my harder households to get a hold of (lest his pooch get a hold of me).The biggest thing that strikes me as I look back on this experience is how nice people generally are. It’s understandable that some folks get disgruntled when a federal employee knocks on their door (even if it’s kind of their fault). Most individuals I encountered this summer were polite and willing to help me finish my work. One woman even told me to “have a great day, now” as I left her apartment. That’s not to say that I didn’t encounter some angry people, but most of the time they were friendly and helpful. Maybe the sight of a skinny college kid traversing the streets on a sweltering summer afternoon just brings out the best in some people.I was the youngest enumerator in my crew, and there were plenty of adults who had children my age who were working in order to pay the mortgage or car payment. I was even paired on an assignment with a former investment banker. The Census Bureau hired about 565,000 temporary workers, many of whom were extremely overqualified for the work they were completing. For as much criticism as the constitutionally-mandated census receives, I felt from day one that I was contributing to something bigger than myself. The Census provides a wealth of information that helps communities and businesses track changes and address problems. Entrepreneurs rely on this data to help identify prime areas for business development. Municipalities use it to plan schools, roads, bridges and parks. Researchers have even used it to estimate the environmental impact of population growth. Clearly, the Census is about more than just the feds getting all up in your business. It’s an important — and again, mandatory — program that provides good paying civilian jobs and vast amounts of statistical data. As someone who has seen its actions firsthand, I have to say I’m impressed with the importance of doing a decennial count of all people. Hopefully I’ll have a real job by the time the next Census rolls around, but if not, I’ll be out pounding the pavement once again.E-mail: biglehar@indiana.edu
(09/15/10 12:10am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>There are plenty of Republicans ready to strip down and run for president in 2012. Look out Mitch Daniels, we picked a few of our favorites.Scott BrownAmerica didn’t see it coming, but this silver fox never looked so good. Senator Scott Brown is the definition of the political heartthrob. Having already been a (semi-nude) model during his twenties and an accomplished legislator in Massachusetts and Congress, what’s more to love in a man? He’s got both power and looks. Plus, his wife is also a hottie (Can we say the next Barack/Michelle?). But America knows that looks only help a presidential campaign. Real public servants know how to flex their muscles while also using their brains at the same time. The senator has that covered too. Brown received his bachelor’s from Tuft University then later his JD degree from Boston College Law School. He’s smart and sexy. Now that’s hot. For 2012, Brown will have to choose between a re-election bid and the White House. If he chooses the latter, then a match up against Obama is sure to heat up. Brown and Obama’s political beliefs are oil and water. When Obama tries to fix the economy, Brown voted against unemployment benefits. The senator disapproved of Elena Kagan when the president loved her. While Obama is the face of the liberals, Brown is the GQ for conservatives. But no matter where the 2012 results fall, at least there will still be some eye candy inside 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.Ron PaulRep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, might be three times the age of his largely college-aged supporters (he turned 75 last month),but he has nevertheless generated a great deal of enthusiasm among young people since running for president during the 2008 election cycle.During that unsuccessful presidential run (who saw that one coming?), Dr. Paul generated so much enthusiasm among 18- to 24-year-olds that 500 high school and college chapters of Students for Ron Paul — which became Young Americans for Liberty after Paul withdrew his candidacy — were founded in just an eight-month span.Much of his support resulted from his adherence to traditionally libertarian principles of constitutionally-limited government, free markets, sound money, permissive social policy, non-interventionist foreign policy and free pot for everyone.Although the congressman did not win any primaries or caucuses in 2008, he placed second in seven such contests and set fundraising records that were all the more impressive given his relative lack of support in polls. Dr. Paul placed a close third in the primaries with approximately 35 of the more than 1,500 delegates available. Since end of the 2008 campaign, Dr. Paul’s political star has continued to rise, as he won the Conservative Political Action Conferance straw poll in February and was one vote shy of winning the Southern Republican Leadership Conference’s April poll. Sarah PalinJust when you thought the Republican ticket for 2012 was a boys only club, the wet dream of every young creationist is ready to take a stand for your rights. You may know her from a failed vice-presidential bid in 2008, or perhaps because of her cute almost-son-in-law spilling her family’s secrets in the media, but from now on you will know her as a Mamma Grizzly, listen to her roar.Sarah Palin says she believes in freedom, honor, liberty and a slew of other generic feel-good terms. She will fight for your right to grope a gun, respect a racist and harass a homo. Perhaps known best for use of the phrase, “No Commie” after endorsing more government oversight for oil drilling, she is sure to spice up this election season with a slew of delightfully witty catchphrases. If we’re lucky, she will hold onto her faux-folksy accent as she reaches out to (metaphorically) slap liberals with the notes on the palm of her hand. God, guns, glory and Palin in 2012.Mitt RomneyWith his reputation for (somewhat) conservative stances and dislike of caffeinated beverages (he’s Mormon, after all), Mitt Romney has impressed many in the Republican Party. He is widely credited with helping make the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City a success despite reports of corruption and bribery in the host city bid process. Romney is also well known for his venerable tenure at Bain & Company (and was a co-founder of investment firm Bain Capital). However, he may have a tough time wooing uncertain voters who question the enacting of near-universal health care, and gay marriage, In the wake of a blatantly Muslim president, American voters will have to grapple with the big question — can we afford to place another member of an extremist religious group in our highest elected spot? His apparently flexible views on a variety of issues will probably earn him success on the national stage — just ask Senator John McCain. Romney may look the part of a future U.S. president, but only time will tell if we’re willing to place another rich white man in the Oval Office in 2012. No matter what happens, he’ll still only be the second most attractive east coast politician — John Kerry’s got that spot on lockdown. (Brown’s pret ty cute, too). If Sarah Palin is any indication though, looks may be enough to propel this Massachusetts money maven to GOP superstardom. Mike HuckabeeMike Huckabee’s candidacy will mean Americans can meet another man who believes in a place called Hope. And as obesity rates soar nationwide, we all yearn for another audacious bedtime story from a commander-in-chief. Huckabee offers his book “Quit Digging Your Grave with a Knife and Fork.” Governor Huckabee believes God helped him in the 2008 campaign. In a likely field of candidates that includes new-comers such as Sarah Palin and savvy returnees such as Mitt Romney, Huckabee, a former Baptist preacher, may again need a substantial amount of intervention from above to win in 2012.Tea Party supporters will be delighted to learn about the number of ways Huckabee’s polymath skills will contribute to lowering taxpayer expenses. If elected president, Governor Huckabee won’t need to hire fancy, formally trained musicians to entertain guests at inaugural balls. In fact, winning the election might give Huckabee and his band Capitol Offense a first shot at performing at an official inaugural ball. Evidence suggests Huckabee may also be handy with the White House’s holiday festivities. His most recent book is a volume of 12 simple Christmas stories. In search of a fiscal conservative, Republicans may find themselves a Renaissance Man who cultivates a blossoming of the arts.