Region

The mislabeled senator

By Alyson Brodsy and Tony Sams · Sunday, July 18,2004 9:36 p.m.

Each year, the National Journal, a non-partisan, weekly publication covering politics, policy and government, publishes an arbitrary list of the most conservative and liberal congressmen and senators. This year, the list is on citation overload. Much has been said and will continue to be said through the election about Sen. John Kerry's placement on the Journal's recent rankings as the most liberal senator in the U.S. Senate. What no one is saying, though, is how negligently this statistic has been cited.

A poignant clash of cultures

By Britany Ausmus and Brittany Ausmus · Sunday, July 18,2004 9:36 p.m.

Drop City," the ninth novel by literary force T. Coraghessan Boyle, is perhaps his most subtle and poignant work to date. At times hilarious, at others incredibly tragic, it is an imaginative study of the counterculture's slow fade to black in the early 1970s. He skillfully melds character study with plot, and the interaction of his flawed characters is breathtaking in its beauty and its surprisingly complex interplay between conflicting loyalties.

The future's not so futuristic

By Alyson Brodsy and Brian McFillen · Sunday, July 18,2004 9:34 p.m.

This past Monday, the United States Postal Service issued a stamp commemorating the 50th anniversary of Buckminster Fuller's patent for the geodesic dome. Buckminster Fuller (1895-1983) was an inventor, architect and futurist whose innovations ranged from three-wheeled "Dymaxion Cars" to prefabricated "Dymaxion Bathrooms." For those of you who haven't been to Epcot Center, the geodesic dome is a spherical structure with a framework of interlocking triangular and circular panels.

Alumna explores eating disorders in 1-woman play 'This IS my BODY'

By Jenica Schultz · Sunday, July 18,2004 9:33 p.m.

Self-loathing permeates IU alumna Amy Fortoul's "This IS my BODY," a one-woman show addressing eating disorders, body image and sexuality. In a unique combination of movement and spoken-word theater, Fortoul sang, mimed and screamed her way through the poetic autobiographical script dealing with her struggles with bulimia and self worth this weekend at the Rose Firebay in the John Waldron Arts Center. "It's healing," she said at a post-performance discussion group Saturday. "It has to be. I relive it every time."

Internationally known group returns to Auer Hall

By Eric Anderson · Sunday, July 18,2004 9:30 p.m.

Forty-nine summers ago, as the newly formed Beaux Arts Trio made its public debut at the Berkshire Music Festival, which is now the Tanglewood Music Festival, pianist Menahem Pressler had no idea he would still be performing with the same ensemble nearly half a century later. "I expected (the group) to last a week to make a record," Pressler said. The week Pressler anticipated the group staying together multiplied into decades. The group has recorded an impressive discography covering the entire piano trio repertoire and made innumerable concert appearances all over the world.

Student sports talk show makes noise on WIUS

By Ricardo Hernandez · Sunday, July 18,2004 9:27 p.m.

The Bloomington radio airwaves are being treated to "The Total Package" this summer. Supported by the IU student radio station, WIUS-AM 1570, "The Total Package" is a sports talk show hosted by graduate students Pete Rowley and former IDS columnist Kevin Switaj. At 8 p.m. every Tuesday, Switaj and Rowley sit down for an hour with various guests to discuss sports issues concerning IU and other institutions.

Can I get a hallelujah?

By Jeff Fuldauer · Sunday, July 18,2004 9:25 p.m.

For a guy who isn't religious, explaining the unexplainable presents an especially difficult challenge. But I can honestly say that what I felt this weekend was nothing short of a spiritual rebirth. And as I trek home from the Mecca of the Midwest, all I can think of are balls, strikes, pine tar and some of the finest Cracker Jack's ever made. Like any pilgrimage, the road to revival was a long and difficult one.

Former football player rowing to Athens

By Bill Meehan · Sunday, July 18,2004 9:24 p.m.

Former IU offensive tackle Phil Trinter played at IU from 1988-91, but after graduation his competitive spirit never died. The four-time letterman began sailing at the age of eight and took up racing in 1992. In addition to winning the 1993 Star World Championship and the 2003 Star North American Championship, Trinter won world championships in the 50-foot and Maxi boats. He also was involved in two campaigns for the America's Cup, a worldwide yachting competition that boasts the oldest trophy in international sports and competed in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Trials. More recently Trinter has been training over the summer in Athens for the upcoming 2004 summer Olympic Games.

Kruzan approves residential grant for city

By Justin Lev · Wednesday, July 14,2004 11:07 p.m.

Bloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan announced the approval of four neighborhood improvement grants June 22 totaling $46,960 and will be used for specific projects in different Bloomington communities.

Blair accepts responsibility for Iraq

By Alyson Brodsy and Ed Johnson · Wednesday, July 14,2004 11:07 p.m.

LONDON -- Iraq had no stockpiles of usable chemical or biological weapons before the war, and British intelligence relied in part on "seriously flawed" or "unreliable" sources in deciding to join the U.S.-attack to oust Saddam Hussein, an official inquiry reported Wednesday. Prime Minister Tony Blair accepted the report's findings and took "personal responsibility," although his government was absolved of "deliberate distortion or culpable negligence."

Local task force honored

By Soren Packer · Wednesday, July 14,2004 11:07 p.m.

The Monroe County Racial Task Force has been recognized by the Justice Kennedy Commission of the American Bar Association for a recent study entitled "Race and Criminal Justice in Monroe County, Indiana." The Commission also recommended the task force to be representative of a national model for similar organizations across the country, recognizing the task force study as a "model project implemented by a community that made a commitment to the elimination of racial disparity in its criminal justice system."

Storms cause power outages

By Andrea Opperman · Wednesday, July 14,2004 11:07 p.m.

Tornado sirens rang throughout Bloomington Tuesday in the midst of a severe thunderstorm that left trees and power lines down and traffic lights out along College Mall Road and State Road 45/46. A firefighter sighted a funnel cloud south of Bloomington and reported it to dispatch but no damage has been reported.

1-woman play examines human experience

By Kacie Leblong · Wednesday, July 14,2004 11:07 p.m.

Nearly 10 years after graduating from IU, former theatre and drama major Amy Fortoul returns to Bloomington with a unique show she created to discuss the rather difficult subjects of image, sexuality, eating disorders and the human experience. The play is titled "This IS my BODY," and much of Fortoul's body and soul have gone into its creation. For this performance, Fortoul is working as the writer, director and sole actor.

Senate blocks gay marriage vote

By Rami Chami · Wednesday, July 14,2004 11:07 p.m.

A proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to define marriage as a union between a woman and a man was blocked by the Senate Wednesday. Fifty senators voted against the amendment, which seeks to place a federal ban on gay marriage. Forty-eight senators voted in favor, but they were unable to muster the required 60 votes needed to advance the measure to a formal vote.

Israel plans in event of Yasser Arafat's death

By Alyson Brodsy and Josef Federman · Wednesday, July 14,2004 10:21 p.m.

JERUSALEM -- Israel is worried about chaos that might follow the death of Yasser Arafat and will do everything possible to prevent the Palestinian leader from being buried in Jerusalem, according to a contingency plan obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press.

Single-engine plane lands safely on I-70 median

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, July 14,2004 10:08 p.m.

MANHATTAN, Ind. -- The pilot of a small, single-engine plane made an emergency landing Wednesday on the median of Interstate 70 in western Indiana. Craig Lee Carlson, 49, of Spanaway, Wash., was not injured. The plane, a 1946 Stinson 108, did not appear to be damaged by the landing. Carlson said he was flying the plane about 700 feet above the ground when it suddenly developed fuel problems.

Government produces record $326 billion deficit in 2004

By Alyson Brodsy and Jeannine Aversa · Wednesday, July 14,2004 10:08 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- The government's deficit ballooned to $326.6 billion in the first nine months of the 2004 budget year, according to a snapshot of U.S. balance sheets released Tuesday. That's more than 20 percent larger than the $269.7 billion shortfall for the corresponding period last year. For the current budget year which began Oct. 1, this spending has totaled $1.73 trillion, 6.4 percent more than the same period a year ago. Revenues came to $1.40 trillion, 3.5 percent more than the previous year.

Stroke screenings to be available for Bloomington

By Aaron Cooke · Wednesday, July 14,2004 10:07 p.m.

Area residents will soon have the opportunity to participate in a medical screening that will assess the risk of stroke. "Our main goal is to provide people a service they don't have access to," said Paula Motolik, public relations leader for Life Line Screening. Life Line Screening, which was established in 1993, is now the nation's leading provider of vascular screenings.

Education, taxes, Iraqi war considered to be important issues

By Nick Pittman · Wednesday, July 14,2004 10:05 p.m.

With the presidential election fast approaching, some IU students and Bloomington residents say there are many issues that need to be discussed before Nov. 2. Bloomington resident Jean Nakhnikian said she donates a few hours each week working for the Monroe County Democratic Party. She said she believes Sen. John Kerry needs to clearly address the problems in Iraq and the economy before November.

Thailand holds global AIDS conference

By Alyson Brodsy and Vijay Joshi · Wednesday, July 14,2004 10:04 p.m.

BANGKOK, Thailand - The United States urged its detractors Wednesday to end their bickering over condoms and drug patents and join hands with Washington, D.C., in a global partnership to fight their common enemy: AIDS.