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The Indiana Daily Student

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The Indiana Daily Student

Abstinence-only fails

Wednesday, Nov. 12,2008 10:18 p.m.

Sexploration at IU was a week-long, sex-positive educational event that promoted open discourse about a topic that is unfortunately quite taboo in Indiana schools. A sex-positive approach to education teaches young people to respect, celebrate and understand sex, rather than fear or misuse it. Indiana fails dismally to provide appropriate sex education in our schools – “abstinence-only” is only ever an effective method for denial, never for education.   Open discourse in the classroom about sex should occur long before the university level; freshman year of college is a bewildering and disquieting 10 years too late. Sexual development begins in childhood. Why don’t we protect our children’s sexual health just as we protect their physical and mental well-being? Waiting until adolescence to teach sex education is like waiting until after your son or daughter turns 21 to talk to them about responsible drinking.

The Indiana Daily Student

It’s (almost) Oscar season

By Claire Burke · Wednesday, Nov. 12,2008 10:17 p.m.

Ah, mid-November. Halloween has passed, making it acceptable for Christmas music to be blaring from department stores’ stereos, despite the fact that the holiday is more than six weeks away. It’s time now for winter coats, ugly boots and turkey. And Oscar buzz.

The Indiana Daily Student

Hustler in the canon’s shadow

By Ryan Brown · Wednesday, Nov. 12,2008 10:16 p.m.

Let us consider Larry Flynt. Part invalid, part eccentric hillbilly, part founder and operator of hardcore porn magazine Hustler.

The Indiana Daily Student

A better requirement

Wednesday, Nov. 12,2008 10:16 p.m.

As I near the inevitable double-major “victory lap” at IU, I am being bombarded by graduation propaganda, paraphernalia and a reminder that I have yet to complete a requirement from the University. Without my math requirement, I am not a graduating senior. I understand that a university like IU has certain requirements, and I have respect for the field of mathematics (especially as one who cannot understand most of it), but I do not see the benefit of a college-level math course. I have not used the math I learned in my junior year of high school (the last math course I took) and am certain that the requirement at IU would not surface as a daily necessity while attempting to balance my checkbook, budget my income, or fill out my tax form. Instead of a math requirement, each student should be required to take a more intellectual and applicable course, for instance, the human sexuality course offered through the school of HPER.

The Indiana Daily Student

Behind the villain

Wednesday, Nov. 12,2008 10:16 p.m.

Leah McRath, who plays Fata Morgana, shares insight into her evil character and her experience singing in “The Love for Three Oranges.”

The Indiana Daily Student

The goodness of morality

Wednesday, Nov. 12,2008 10:15 p.m.

For academic purposes, it is typically necessary to research a topic before making a rash claim against it. The same holds true if one intends to critique religion. You see, if you want to attack religion, at least look into it objectively rather than stating the common misunderstandings of those uneducated in the field. Now, I might only be a sophomore in the Department of Religious Studies, but I’ll give my four cents worth (because two cents is just not enough). Having put forth the effort to study multiple religions, I have begun to see a surprising amount of “coincidences” throughout world religious history. Viewing things with an open mind, the procession of world events begins to become less and less statistically probable without the acting of some outside force.

The Indiana Daily Student

Yes, we did

Wednesday, Nov. 12,2008 10:14 p.m.

When asked 20 years from now what defined your generation, what will you say? Technology? Globalization? Changing the landscape of American politics and electing the first black president of the United States? All of the above are legitimate answers, but Nov. 4, marked the culmination of a movement by the youth of America to have their voices heard by electing Barack Obama. The end of my sophomore year, I was a member of the small but dedicated group IU College Democrats, and I was approached after a meeting one night by a fellow member about holding a leadership role in the Students for Barack Obama chapter that was forming at IU. Little did I know the role our fledgling group would have in electing our next president. SFBO chapters were forming all over the country as students saw the leader this incredible man was and began to rally behind him long before the political insiders of D.C. While Obama was still considered a long-shot candidate, IU students were knocking on doors in six states and making calls all over the country. The IU chapter worked tirelessly through the primaries and caucuses, almost winning red-blooded Indiana for Obama at the end of an epic primary season. Superdelegates battled as we spent our summers at jobs and internships, and just as we headed back to Bloomington, Obama became the Democratic nominee.

The Indiana Daily Student

Obama campaign inspires music, artists to sing praises

Wednesday, Nov. 12,2008 10:13 p.m.

Throughout history, high-profile political figures have attracted public curiosity, heated debate and worldwide attention. President-elect Barack Obama, the first black voted into presidential office, is no exception. And to up the ante from former administrations, the music industry has prepared a soundtrack.

The Indiana Daily Student

My president, too

By Justin Hill · Wednesday, Nov. 12,2008 10:13 p.m.

I offer my sincere congratulations to President-elect Barack Obama on his historic election victory. He ran a well-organized, well-funded and strong volunteer campaign. He truly inspired millions of Americans into believing they could elect an American president who would be the change they seek. Congratulations also to the College Democrats and their leadership for turning this campus into an Obama force and turning Indiana blue. Obviously, I was hoping for a different result last week, but we did not get that. America has spoken. I am listening. We all must listen. I campaigned vigorously for Sen. John McCain because I believe the most qualified candidate should receive our trust and the job. While 57 million other people agreed with me, 65 million others did not. Let us all celebrate the historic nature of Obama’s win. It proved that every American has the opportunity to become whatever he or she wants in this great country of ours. This is a special time to celebrate the progress our country has made and a success for black Americans who have been fighting so hard for equal rights.

Actors in the production Cabaret perform during their dress rehearsal Tuesday night in the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. The showings for the musical will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Willkommen to the Kit Kat Klub

By Lara Streyle · Wednesday, Nov. 12,2008 10:11 p.m.

The image of Liza Minelli dressed in black, complete with bowler hat and garters, dancing seductively across a stage might not resonate with college students today, but it most likely did in 1972 when Minelli starred in the film version of the Broadway musical “Cabaret.”

The Indiana Daily Student

Race and the election

By DJ Funkhouser · Wednesday, Nov. 12,2008 10:11 p.m.

America elected her first black president, and yet I only felt “meh.” Apparently this was a historic election. Don’t get me wrong – I wasn’t depressed about it, shoegazing like an anchor at the Fox News election center. But I certainly wasn’t crying with the Rev. Jesse Jackson either. I mean no slight to Rev. Jackson. It’s just that the racial implications of this election meant something completely different to us both, and I’m not sure it’s because he’s black and I’m white. No, I think it’s more generational than racial, and I believe the callousness of my reaction actually goes to show the correct direction race relations is moving. To most in our generation, race is no longer a defining attribute for someone. James isn’t “James, my black friend” – he’s just “James.” To me then, when Obama was elected, I didn’t feel proud to say that we’ve elected our first black president. Race isn’t a useful attribute to describe what a president is or needs to be. I just felt like we elected the most qualified candidate.

The Indiana Daily Student

We’re behind in the new space race

By Cory Barker · Wednesday, Nov. 12,2008 10:10 p.m.

President-elect Barack Obama obviously has some major issues in front of him that he needs to tackle during the first days in office: the atrocious economy, the war in Iraq and the search for alternative fuels. But after Obama gets settled in as president and begins his term of supposed change, there’s an issue that he should seriously think about looking into at least sometime during his term: outer space. No, not necessarily aliens or life from other planets – although that would be a beautiful thing to see as well – but space exploration. Our generation really isn’t old enough to remember, but there was a time when exploring the great beyond of outer space was one of the most important and influential issues in the minds of the American public. President John F. Kennedy instilled hope in people’s minds about the idea to make it to the moon before those pesky Russians in the ’60s, so much so that more than 500 million people watched the first moon landing in 1969.

The Indiana Daily Student

To Bush, with love

By Indira Dammu · Wednesday, Nov. 12,2008 10:09 p.m.

For the past week, much ink has been devoted to Sen. Barack Obama’s improbable run for the presidency and historic win last Tuesday night. It might have been easy to forget that just 21 months ago, many people were begrudgingly preparing for a Clinton co-presidency. The inevitable doesn’t seem so certain anymore, and the reasons for this have received breathtaking coverage. We’re told that Obama’s campaign was incredibly well-organized and meticulous. Youth turnout was at a record high, and it didn’t hurt that the Republican ticket included, well, Sarah Palin. However, one individual conveniently left out of the equation is President George W. Bush. Perhaps it’s general fatigue, but I’m distressed by the silence on his end – and this after all he’s done for the Democrats. Make no mistake, Tuesday’s election wasn’t just a footnote in Bush’s illustrious career, but a representation of everything for which he stands. It should only seem fair, then, to offer heartfelt gratitude for his advocacy on behalf of liberals everywhere.

The Indiana Daily Student

The youth flex their muscles

Wednesday, Nov. 12,2008 10:07 p.m.

If you watched students parade down Kirkwood Avenue after Barack Obama’s victory, you might have been sure youth turnout exploded during this election. You would have been wrong. Despite all the advertisements, celebrity endorsements and persistent volunteers, the youth vote was a mixed bag of accomplishment and disappointment. First the good news: 90 percent of voters who registered at on-campus polling locations (i.e. IU students) showed up to cast their ballots. IU students should be commended for being so active in the historical election. Monroe County gave more than 41,000 votes to Obama compared to 21,000 for John McCain.Those on Facebook could see the impact of the election immediately Tuesday night, as status updates turned to declarations of joy and anger.Now the bad news: Voter turnout only increased 1 percent to 6 percent among all young voters compared with the 2004 election. Half of the eligible voters younger than 30 showed up on Election Day, contributing 18 percent of the voter turnout. Comparing this to a total turnout of 65 percent as a nation, it’s clear we still have a lot of work to do as a generation.It’s been easy to assume voter turnout was great everywhere based on the results on this campus, but those farther away from college towns seem to have generally decided to not “rock the vote.” They didn’t vote in this election.

Visitors moving between the parking garages and the terminal are greeted by an overhead display of lights and sound called Interactive Passage at the Col. H. Weir Cook Terminal Building on Tuesday at the Indianapolis International Airport. The new terminal received its first arriving passengers later Tuesday.

Indiana guard troops return to new airport

Wednesday, Nov. 12,2008 9:46 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS – About 100 Indiana National Guard troops returned home after nine months in Iraq by marching through Indianapolis International Airport’s new terminal.

The Indiana Daily Student

Police find body of missing man in crashed SUV

Wednesday, Nov. 12,2008 9:45 p.m.

MITCHELL, Ind. – Authorities said a body found in a wrecked sport utility vehicle is that of a Bedford man who had been missing for nearly a week.

The Indiana Daily Student

Police arrest man for alleged burglary

By Larry Buchanan · Wednesday, Nov. 12,2008 9:44 p.m.

A Bloomington teenager was arrested Tuesday for allegedly stealing two laptops, two iPods and a pillow case in late October, Bloomington Police Department Sgt. Jeff Canada said, reading from a police report.

The Indiana Daily Student

New museum features letters by famous prisoners

Wednesday, Nov. 12,2008 9:43 p.m.

FORT WAYNE – A new museum of historical manuscripts has opened with an exhibit of letters Gandhi, Napoleon, presidential assassins and other famous inmates wrote from prison.

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