Region

In defense of the drink

By Alyson Brodsy and Brian Stewart · Thursday, March 30,2006 12:27 a.m.

I attended high school in Europe, so serious drinking is nothing new to me. In this way, Winston Churchill was much like me: Upon being told by Ibn Saud that the king's religious beliefs forbade the use of tobacco and liquor, the great man didn't hesitate to point out "that my rule of life prescribes as an absolutely sacred rite smoking cigars and also the drinking of alcohol before, after and, if need be, during all meals and in the intervals between them."

Laugh it up, Lenin

By Alyson Brodsy and Adam Sedia · Thursday, March 30,2006 12:26 a.m.

This past weekend, I did two important things: study for a biochemistry exam and fill out my taxes. And let me tell you, biochemistry is far less ambiguous, complicated and frustrating than the tax code, so much so that I'd choose reviewing RNA-polymerase catalysis over number-crunching any day, even to get a refund. I have a nagging suspicion that Vladimir Lenin is in hell having a good laugh that the United States, the land of economic opportunity, has this Byzantine progressive tax code, one of whose goals is income redistribution. But is this what taxes were designed to do?

Got a major?

By Alyson Brodsy and Amy Obermeyer · Thursday, March 30,2006 12:25 a.m.

Raise your hand if you know what you want to do with the rest of your life. And raise your hand again if you've had the same major since matriculation. Finally, keep that hand up if you've known what that major was going to be since you were 14. Now look around, and realize that if your hand is raised, you're probably in the minority, which is why I'm more than a little ambivalent about Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's proposal that would require all incoming freshmen at Florida high schools to declare a major. He hopes that his proposal will lower drop-out rates and claims that "it's a really smart way to make high school more relevant and prepare young people for what college will hold."

Lap of luxury?

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, March 30,2006 12:24 a.m.

Some University of Memphis law students are mad as hell, and they're not going to take this injustice sitting down. But if they do take it sitting down, you better believe they're going to have their laptop computers open and ready to furiously instant message each other. June Entman, a professor of law at Memphis, sent an e-mail to her first-year law students March 6 telling them to bring pens and paper to take notes. By attempting to regulate the way her classroom is run (imagine the nerve!), she simultaneously joined the ranks of many professors nationwide who are hitting control-alt-delete on student laptops, which they consider distracting in their classes. "My main concern was (the students) were focusing on trying to transcribe every word that was I saying, rather than thinking and analyzing," Entman very reasonably told the Associated Press Monday.

U.N. Security Council agrees on Iran statement

By Alyson Brodsy and Nick Wadhams · Thursday, March 30,2006 12:19 a.m.

UNITED NATIONS -- The five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council agreed on a statement Wednesday demanding that Iran suspend uranium enrichment, setting the stage for the first action by the powerful body over fears that Tehran wants a nuclear weapon. The 15 members of the council planned to meet later Wednesday to approve the statement, the text of which was not immediately disclosed. Uranium enrichment is a process that can lead to a nuclear weapon.

Former lobbyist sentenced to 5 years in federal prison

By Alyson Brodsy and Curt Anderson · Thursday, March 30,2006 12:18 a.m.

MIAMI -- Disgraced former lobbyist Jack Abramoff and a business partner were sentenced Wednesday to five years and 10 months in federal prison, the minimum they faced for fraud related to their 2000 purchase of the SunCruz Casinos gambling fleet. Abramoff and Adam Kidan both pleaded guilty to conspiracy and wire fraud, but they won't have to report to prison immediately. The judge postponed their reporting date for at least 90 days so the two can continue cooperating in a Washington corruption investigation and a Florida probe into the killing of former SunCruz owner Konstantinos Boulis. Both deny roles in the killing. Abramoff pleaded guilty in connection with the corruption probe but has yet to be sentenced.

Attempted rapist report unresolved

By Audrie Garrison · Thursday, March 30,2006 12:15 a.m.

Bloomington police are looking for a man who they believe entered a woman's apartment late Tuesday night and attempted to rape her at knife-point. The 21-year-old woman said in a police report that she returned to her apartment south of downtown Bloomington, at about 11 p.m. Tuesday and unlocked her front door while she waited for her boyfriend, said BPD Captain Joe Qualters. She said she then went to take a shower.

Non-American parents lose child's aid

By Michael Sanserino · Thursday, March 30,2006 12:13 a.m.

An Elkhart County high school senior, who had participated in the 21st Century Scholars Program since she was in seventh grade, won't receive a scholarship from the state of Indiana, not because she lacked the necessary grades but because her parents lacked U.S. citizenship. In turn, the senior has summoned the help of the Indiana branch of the American Civil Liberties Union and is now suing. The girl, called "E.C." in the ACLU's brief, was born in the United States and is a citizen, as outlined by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The ACLU contends E.C. is as deserving of the scholarship as other citizens whose parents have U.S. citizenship.

Walk to benefit local homeless

By Amanda Robert · Thursday, March 30,2006 12:12 a.m.

Summer Vergiels' fight homelessness began when she almost fell victim to it herself. "I was four days away from being homeless with my son when a kind woman rented us a room in her house," she said. Now, in addition to working several jobs and caring for her young son, Micah, Vergiels helps those in similar situations by volunteering at a local food pantry. Because of her passion for the issue, Vergiels said she was chosen to be the spokeswoman for Bloomington's fourth annual Homeward Bound, a fundraising walk dedicated to ending homelessness that will take place Sunday at Third Street Park. Darrell Ann Stone, third year co-chairwoman of Homeward Bound, said she also joined the event because she has witnessed homelessness in different ways.

Inside the Reporter's Notebook: IU coaching announcement

By Brian Janosch · Thursday, March 30,2006 12:11 a.m.

IDS reporter Brian Janosch interviewed players, coaches, students and others Wednesday. Some of the following quotes were used in stories in today's newspaper, while others were left out.

Fascinating biopic hits DVD

By Alyson Brodsy and Josh Garfinkel · Thursday, March 30,2006 12 a.m.

Many times, when renting a film based on hype or awards season, the viewing ends in disappointment: the acting is not as great as its accolades suggest, the story is not as interesting or the plot is not as driven. "Capote" is certainly not one of these films. While watching this movie it is easy to understand why "Capote" found such incredible critical success and garnered so many awards for Phillip Seymour Hoffman who nails the role of his life. The film begins slowly, but once the plot gets rolling it is impossible to look away. And while the beginning may be a little slow paced, the writing is sensational and witty enough to keep any viewer intrigued.

IDS CLASSIC ALBUMS

By Alyson Brodsy and Jeff O'Reilly · Thursday, March 30,2006 12 a.m.

For the last decade, audiences have been mesmerized by what most consider the forefather of instrumental hip-hop, DJ Shadow's 1996 masterpiece Endtroducing. It's the kind of album you fall in love with while driving through the White Mountains of New Hampshire, its soundscapes larger than the panorama ahead, its vibe more modern than the sun setting behind the pines. Endtroducing has the uncanny ability to take the listener on a voyage to, as one trademark sample states, "the inner juices of human beings."

Album features 'both sides' of Ben

By Alyson Brodsy and Patrick Hurley · Thursday, March 30,2006 12 a.m.

With the attraction of purchasing or pirating music online, the album as a work of art has begun to fade away, and the double album is becoming almost as rare as vinyl. Maybe that's what makes Both Sides of the Gun, Ben Harper's follow up to 2003's Diamonds on the Inside, so refreshing. Like most double albums, it could fit on one disc. However, the album works best as two halves. Gun showcases the Harper that his fans have grown to love as well as a new Harper. "Morning Yearning" fills the role of opening track beautifully.

This ain't no ordinary heist

By Alyson Brodsy and Matt McMullan · Thursday, March 30,2006 12 a.m.

When I sat down to watch "Inside Man," I was more interested in seeing if director Spike Lee could pull off a bank heist movie about race, gender and other social issues than the story itself. Cause, you know, he's Spike Lee, and that's what he does. He makes movies about social issues. I tend to think he's hit or miss; often morally ambiguous, his movies and characters are fully human, faults and credits to their names.

You got Punk'd

By Alyson Brodsy and Zack Teibloom · Thursday, March 30,2006 12 a.m.

A fan spat onto the lead singer of The Methadones from the balcony of Uncle Fester's, located on Kirkwood Avenue. "That's not cool," the singer said, glaring at the fan. "Keep playing you pussy. It's a punk show," another fan retorted. The singer threw water, the fan threw beer and the singer leaped onto a speaker, launching himself into the balcony to fight. The fight was broken up and the singer came back down and finished the set. It sounds typical for a punk night, but its founder, Josh Johnson, insists it's the only real incident they've had.

No one gets away clean in the world of “Traffic.”

Soderbergh's finest hour

By Alyson Brodsy and Chris Wisner · Thursday, March 30,2006 12 a.m.

Back in 2000, director Steven Soderbergh had the year of his life. Snagging Best Picture Oscar nods for "Traffic" and "Erin Brockovich," Soderbergh earned two Best Director nods in the same year -- an accomplishment not seen since Frank Lloyd back in 1929. Ultimately he won for "Traffic" and we still remember it over that year's big winner, Ridley Scott's "Gladiator." Penned by writer Stephen Gaghan (writer/director of 2005's "Syriana") with inspiration gained from the British mini-series "Traffik," "Traffic" carries a heavy message on a topic we're all familiar with: drugs. From the West Coast to the U.S.-Mexican border and way over in Washington D.C., a massive portrait is painted on how drugs can factor into almost anything and, ultimately, do harm to us all.

IDS FILE PHOTO
Senior forward D.J. White slams the ball over teammate Lance Stemler and Ohio State's Matt Terwilliger (42) Sunday, Feb. 10 in Columbus, Ohio. White, and former IU guard Eric Gordon, are expected to be drafted in Thursday's NBA Draft.

An open invitation from his Purpleness

By C. Warner Sills and Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, March 30,2006 12 a.m.

No matter how often the media poke fun at his bizarre and reclusive lifestyle or how many times Dave Chappelle ranks on his quirky, sexual purpleness, Prince is still one hell of a talented musician. Which is why listening to 3121, the newest addition to the artist formally known as the artist formally known as Prince's repertoire, is so disappointing. Following in the footsteps of 2004's Musicology, a highly successful, but fairly mediocre album, Prince attempts to return to the '80s synth-pop rhythms and sounds that made him exclaim, "Baby I'm a star," and mixes things up with a bit of hip-hop and Latin instrumental flavor.

Richa Sharma cleans tables at the end of the night at Hoosier Cafe’ in Read Residence Center Sunday night. Sharma also works as a lab assistant in the chemistry school and volunteers at the Shalom Community Shelter. Photos by Anne Rebeck

Fast Cash

By Alyson Brodsy and Bryan Lufkin · Thursday, March 30,2006 12 a.m.

Books. Clothes. Late night pizza runs. And in some cases, tuition. These are but a few of the expenditures college students face. According to a recent National Retail Foundation survey, college kids annually pump over $26 billion into the economy -- with each student spending $666 on back-to-school supplies every year. For some, having an extra money supply in the reserves is critical for making a college education possible. And for everyone, a little extra cash can always make the weekends more fun.

All About Me:

By IDS staff and Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, March 30,2006 12 a.m.

An Indiana native and business major in finance, junior Betsy Henke was voted IUSA President in March 2006. Although she has "no future in politics," Henke says the job "just kind of fell into my lap." She has worked a lot with other divisions of IUSA, such as the student organization funding. Henke hopes to use her previous experience and contacts she made to make this a productive year for IUSA. "I'm honored for this. I'm really excited because we have a good team. People want to be involved and that's important to help cover more ground."

Who let this dog out?

By Alyson Brodsy and Michael Mellini · Thursday, March 30,2006 12 a.m.

If you make out with your spouse who's trapped in an animal's body, is it still considered beastiality? Apparently not in this update of the old Disney "Shaggy Dog" films. Tim Allen plays a busy father too obsessed with his career as a Los Angeles deputy District Attorney to be concerned with his wife ("Sex and the City's" Kristin Davis), son (Disney slave Spencer Breslin) and daughter (an overacting and annoying Zena Grey). But faith intervenes when a genetically altered canine bites Allen, transforming him into a dog and allowing him to see the errors of his ways.