Region

Consumer economic optimism reverses

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, Feb. 16,2004 11:27 p.m.

NEW YORK -- Consumer attitudes about the economy turned sour in the first half of February, reversing a trend toward greater optimism after the U.S. economy posted stellar growth in 2003. The University of Michigan's mid-month report on consumer sentiment for February dropped to 93.1 from 103.8 in January, according to people in the market who have seen the report. It is released only to subscribers.

Silicon Valley tech company probed for theft

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, Feb. 16,2004 11:26 p.m.

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- The investigation into the illegal disclosure of blueprints for some versions of Microsoft Corp.'s Windows software has turned to a small technology company in Silicon Valley that works closely with Microsoft.

Priorities beyond economics

By Alyson Brodsy and Brian Matzke · Monday, Feb. 16,2004 11:25 p.m.

The "Ballad of Baby Doe" played these past two weekends at the Musical Arts Center. Written in English and depicting life in 19th century Colorado, it is a far cry from most people's archetypal conception of an opera. Rather, it is a story steeped in the tradition of Americana, exalting the entrepreneurial spirit and focusing on what Americans traditionally do best -- talk politics.

Lawmakers to investigate Brazilian president

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, Feb. 16,2004 11:24 p.m.

BRASILIA, Brazil -- Opposition lawmakers called for a congressional investigation Monday into allegations that an aide to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio da Silva had solicited illegal campaign contributions, the first major scandal to hit his administration.

Keep America funny

By Alyson Brodsy and Bonnie Real · Monday, Feb. 16,2004 11:24 p.m.

The following is an advisory from the National Institute of Not Funny. It has come to our attention that a certain tidbit of observational humor has now become so unashamedly overused we have no choice but to take immediate action. In the interest of the tired joke, its many variations and the victims of its use, we are hereby declaring its retirement from American society.

Bremer aims to prevent theocracy

By Alyson Brodsy and Robert H. Reid · Monday, Feb. 16,2004 11:23 p.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq's U.S. administrator suggested Monday he would block any move by Iraqi leaders to make Islamic law the backbone of an interim constitution, which women's groups fear could threaten their rights. Roadside bombs killed two more American soldiers, Monday.

Poop on this!

By Alyson Brodsy and Phil Kijak · Monday, Feb. 16,2004 11:22 p.m.

If you were to ask me who my hero was, I really don't know if I could give you a definitive answer. But one thing is for certain -- Triumph the Insult Comic Dog would probably be the front-runner. The creation of comedic genius Robert Smigel, Triumph (best known for his catch-phrase, "for me to poop on!") is in some hot water after his recent comments on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," which was taped in Toronto all last week.

A cap on open containers

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, Feb. 16,2004 11:19 p.m.

The Indiana State Senate recently introduced a bill to amend the current open-container law, removing the requirement that the driver of the vehicle have a minimum blood alcohol concentration.

The sentiments of a culture

By Joelle Petrus · Monday, Feb. 16,2004 11:18 p.m.

If you have a fetish for old churches like I do, France is an absolute haven. I don't practice a religion personally, but I still have to say the French know how to build a house of God.

Boiled Over

By Natalie A. Trout · Monday, Feb. 16,2004 1:09 a.m.

WEST LAFAYETTE -- If the IU men's basketball team was looking for love on Valentine's Day, West Lafayette was the last place they were going to find it. A game in which the Hoosiers picked up 26 fouls compared to the Boilermaker's 11, ended in Purdue's favor, 71-56. Purdue coach Gene Keady said he told his team it would be their biggest game of the year to see how they would handle the pressure. Sure enough, Purdue handled the pressure just like Keady wanted them to. They played with effort, and three different Boilermakers scored 17 points a piece.

Parents bear with school costs

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, Feb. 16,2004 12:58 a.m.

FORT WAYNE -- Anne Marie Lett was stunned by the phone call. A Carroll High School staff member told her if she didn't pay her son's student fees, the school would have to turn her account over for collection. As she leafed through four pages of financial statements, she still didn't know how she was going to pay more than $500 in fees for her four children: $30 for preschool, $107.69 for kindergarten, $161.85 for sixth grade, $222.18 for ninth grade. It's a real-life example of how public school fees can add up but a situation local officials said parents can get help for when faced with the cost of their children's education.

'Seussical' for everyone

By Meredith Hahn · Monday, Feb. 16,2004 12:57 a.m.

Seussical The Musical" broke the mold in its debut at the IU Auditorium this weekend. Though "family show" is a term that generally brings to mind sappy stories, screaming brats and unrefined musical scores, the show based on the works of Dr. Seuss entertained children of all ages. From the rhyming request for patrons to turn off their cell phones, to the green eggs and ham finale, "Seussical" had a level of energy and humor that made it stand out from its genre. The opening number assured that "this ain't Mother Goose," and indeed it wasn't. It maintained its childhood sense of wonder without being childish, as it whirled through the tales of Horton the Elephant, the town of Whoville and Gertrude McFuzz.

Guest speaker gives hope for Uzbekistan's future

By Charlie Cszrom and Charlie Szrom · Monday, Feb. 16,2004 12:55 a.m.

Uzbekistan, an important U.S. ally in Central Asia, may soon become more free despite a recent tightening of control by the government, said an Uzbek sociologist Friday in Ballantine Hall. Alisher Ilkhamov, director of the Open Society Institute in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent, spoke to an audience of more than forty people on the contradictory political and economic situation in his country, a nation that is home to a U.S military base and assists the U.S. in its fight in Afghanistan.

Hoosiers dominated in 78-69 loss

By Dan Patrick · Monday, Feb. 16,2004 12:53 a.m.

IU put up 69 points Sunday, good for its largest point total in a Big Ten game this season, and also shot at an impressive 50 percent for its second-best shooting game of the season. Yet the scoring was just not enough as the Iowa Hawkeyes (14-9, 8-4 Big Ten) defeated IU (10-14, 3-10).

Around The Game

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, Feb. 16,2004 12:51 a.m.

The IU men's tennis team traveled to Louisville in hopes of extending their winning streak to four matches but came up short against the Louisville Cardinals, 4-3. The loss dropped their record to 3-2 in the season.

IDS editor in chief arrested for driving while intoxicated

By Gavin Lesnick · Monday, Feb. 16,2004 12:50 a.m.

Indiana Daily Student Editor in Chief Adam VanOsdol was arrested early Saturday morning on charges of driving while intoxicated. VanOsdol, 20, was booked into Monroe County Jail at 1:03 a.m. with bond set at $500 surety and $500 cash. He said he was initially pulled over for not having his headlights on.

Smoking policy to be enforced at Read

By Gavin Lesnick · Monday, Feb. 16,2004 12:50 a.m.

Read Center will begin more aggressively patrolling IU's new smoking policy outside residence halls today. The new rules, which were passed by the University last semester, require students to be 30 feet away from buildings before lighting up. Signs have been hung around Read Center informing residents of the rule and warning that "staff will document anyone smoking within 30 feet of doors, walkways, etc ..."

IMU upset with papers

By Brian Janosch · Monday, Feb. 16,2004 12:50 a.m.

The IU Student Association's student readership program took off with such popularity that it has led the Indiana Memorial Union administration to question whether or not it would participate in the program should it be passed.

HIV survivor performs tonight

By Kristin Huett · Monday, Feb. 16,2004 12:50 a.m.

Steve Schalchlin was diagnosed with HIV in 1993. He was part of the first group ever to take the drugs that kept the AIDS virus from replicating, and as a result, he is still alive today. Tonight, in the Indiana Memorial Union's Fran-gipani Room, Schalchlin will perform an entertaining and emotional profile of what it is like to live with HIV and AIDS as part of IU's AIDS awareness week.

'The Legend'

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, Feb. 16,2004 12:50 a.m.

Forty-one years ago, only nine IU students showed up for coach Jerry Yeagley's inaugural club soccer meeting at the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Saturday night, at a banquet honoring the legendary coach's tenure at IU, more than 1,000 people -- including former and current players -- gathered to honor soccer's all-time winningest coach.