Community Arts

Denouncement of party school hypocritical

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:58 a.m.

I am a freshman here at IU, and while I was surprised to hear that Indiana was named the No. 1 party school in the country, I am not, as both your columnist Julie Sobel ("Where's the party?" Sept. 2), and the IU president who commented on the issue last week, so quick to defend IU and denounce the statement by the Princeton Review. I enrolled in IU long before the announcement came that we're not only the No. 1 party school, but also in the top ten for the amount of beer, marijuana and lack of studying by students. I cannot validate these statements as I did not participate in the statistical process and neither can your columnist nor IU's president. Both are clearly trying to defend IU in the wake of what I would call a "backfire."

Administration sends mixed messages on alcohol

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:55 a.m.

I have just read with great interest President Brand and Chancellor Brehm's letter, as it was posted on the Web site of IU's Office Of Communications and Marketing, to the Princeton Review regarding its selection of IU as the number one party school in the country. You make strong arguments in showing why IU should not have been chosen for this dubious honor. You make a point of emphasizing the administration's crackdown on binge drinking and alcohol abuse by IU students.

Students get shafted by new football seats

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:55 a.m.

Indiana football needs fans in the seats and that starts with the student body. Who ever made the decision to move the students to the bleachers has mush for brains. I am a 53-year-old alum who wants to see students and the band back on the 50-yard line.

If beer is good, spinoffs are great

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:52 a.m.

Remember when oat bran was sweeping the nation? Now comes beer. At least, that's my prediction. Beer here, beer there, beer muffins, beer bagels, low-fat vanilla beergurt -- the works. Ever since the press pounced on two huge studies showing that a beer a day keeps the doctor away -- or at least keeps him in his office while the beer drinker is at the local bar, sliding under the table, far from any white-coated professional who could give his liver a poke and start a gusher -- yes, ever since beer became the healthiest thing since sliced wheatberry bread with extra grit, a revolution has been brewing.

Welcome back from IUSA

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:50 a.m.

As students adjust to their new lives, whether as incoming freshmen away from home for the first time or upperclassmen realizing just how close they actually are to the real world, the IU Student Association welcomes everyone back to our perpetually changing school. Welcome back anyone who travels down the now more pedestrian-friendly 10th Street. Welcome back cream and crimson as the official school colors, and finally welcome back everyone from seniors to freshmen to the newly crowned top party school in the nation (I sincerely hope that everyone got a good chuckle from that one). With all these changes, it is almost as if the school that many of you left in the spring to explore the world outside of our college town has undergone a transformation of sorts.

Sept. 11 not a holiday

By Alyson Brodsy and Evan Ross · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:48 a.m.

Thoughts of the upcoming week fill our subconscious with dread and anger. When that week is over, exactly one year will have passed since the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001. It has been a very tumultuous year, filled with painful memories scarred into our minds that we, as a country, are unwilling or unable to forget. Sept. 11 means something important deep inside every American, whether protecting the "homeland" or in the comfort of their own home. However, in order to ease the comfort, people will congregate into groups to look for answers, asking the question that must be asked: How will Americans recognize the events of Sept. 11, not only in the present, but in future generations as well? A memorial in honor of Sept. 11 is unnecessary because the remembrances are a very personal issue and not one to be mandated by the government. In the next week, many well-meaning people will have their own ideas on how to best honor those who died and how to cope with the aftermath. Because there are so many involved, and because the effects of the past year touch each and every one of us, no one idea will be absolutely suitable to everyone. Will the new date which will live in infamy be remembered only temporarily, or will its lasting legacy spread across generational lines and become a sanctified holiday?

Stars stripes and flip-flops

By Alyson Brodsy and Silvia ten Houten · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:48 a.m.

The whole world seems to have an opinion on the States. A person is either a tad tentative with ones U.S. viewpoints (or a smidgen reserved at professing them), or one is the No. 1 fan of the Stars and Stripes phenomenon which now permeates the globe. I even found a pair of flip-flops enveloped in a layer of red, white and blue at my local drug store nestled in the summer display section. Towels, sun visors, tight little tees and beach balls were positioned amongst other Star-Spangled Banner-bearing items appropriate to take to the local beach. And I must add I was not the only one using my elbows to secure a place (and size eight flip-flops) because I wanted to be able to wriggle my toes under those red rubber straps and try on for size.

A quarter here, a million there...

By Alyson Brodsy and Terry Ord · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:46 a.m.

These days it is difficult to buy anything worthwhile for a quarter. But if you believe your local video store, you can purchase some "piece of mind" for this price. Instead of having to sell a body part to pay the fine in the event of a damaged rental return, you can spend 25 cents and keep that kidney for a later date. Seem like a good deal? It's a scam.

Ohio court ruling should butt out

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:45 a.m.

Why should anyone be allowed to take part in an action that leads to the severe illness, and even the eventual death, of others? Local health boards should be afforded the authority to ban smoking in all public places, including bars and restaurants. Ohio courts recently decided that local health boards do not have this authority.

Breaking out of the 'Friends' rut

By Natalie A. Trout · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:30 a.m.

He's the funny guy everyone knows and loves from Thursday night's "Must See TV." It's Chandler Bing, and he stars in yet another romantic comedy where he plays himself. Haven't people noticed this? From "Fools Rush In" and "The Whole Nine Yards" to his latest movie, "Serving Sara," Matthew Perry is doing nothing more than playing the goofy, off-beat character Chandler Bing from NBC's "Friends."

Coldplay's latest full of hot hits

By Parker Witman and Parker Wittman · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:30 a.m.

After Coldplay's first album, the critically acclaimed commercial success Parachutes, it was hard to imagine where the band would, or could, go. For many, Parachutes represented a beacon of hope in the murky cesspool of unoriginality that has plagued pop music for years. Those who got past writing Coldplay off as "that 'Yellow' band" likely found themselves refreshed and excited by the depth and potential that Coldplay demonstrated on Parachutes.

2 Palestinians forced from West Bank

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:27 a.m.

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- Israel expelled two Palestinians from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip on Wednesday -- a court-sanctioned step hailed by the military as a powerful deterrent against suicide bombings and condemned by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan as a violation of international law. It marked the first time Israel uprooted relatives of Palestinian terror suspects.

Powell heckled at summit

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:27 a.m.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Repeatedly interrupted by activists' jeers and protests, Secretary of State Colin Powell defended the United States' environmental record and its efforts to help the poor in the developing world at the World Summit on Wednesday. "The United States is taking action to meet environmental challenges, including global climate change," he said to loud booing from the rear of a hall filled with government leaders and delegates ranging from youth activists to environmentalists.

McDonald's fries getting healthier

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:25 a.m.

CHICAGO -- McDonald's plans to use a new cooking oil for french fries and other fried foods that it says will do less damage to your diet. Nutritionists call the fast food giant's effort to reduce trans fatty acids a good first step but say the change doesn't make french fries a health food.

A Week of Caring

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:19 a.m.

The Bloomington Volunteer Network has dedicated this year's Week of Caring 2002 to "remember, respond and rebuild," in honor of those who died and were touched by the Sept. 11 attacks. The week of service will begin Sept. 6 and extend to Sept. 14. The six-year-old program's goal is to bring the Bloomington community together with IU students to provide "social service, cultural, health and recreational organizations who depend on volunteers to keep their programs running," according to the BNV Web site.

Push planned for gas tax increase

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:11 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Some lobbying groups and lawmakers say a recently approved increase in the state gasoline tax will still leave counties and cities scrambling for much-needed road construction dollars. They plan to push for an additional gas tax increase in the legislative session come January, even though a 3-cent increase approved during the recent special session will have just taken effect Jan. 1.

Concern covers skeletons

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:10 a.m.

COLUMBUS, Ind. -- Some American Indians have expressed concern about the fate of at least 10 prehistoric human skeletons removed from a construction site west of Columbus. Archaeologists removed the skeletons from the Menard Inc. building site this summer and took them to a laboratory at the University of Indianapolis for analysis, said Jim Mohow, senior archaeologist with the state Department of Natural Resources.

West Nile strikes home

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:09 a.m.

FORT WAYNE -- A 56-year-old Allen County resident has apparently died from the West Nile virus, the county's coroner said Wednesday. The official cause of death has not been confirmed and preliminary autopsy results were inconclusive, but state health officials reported a "presumptive positive" blood test for the virus Aug. 23, Allen County Coroner Dr. E. Jon Brandenberger said.

Bush to visit South Bend

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:07 a.m.

SOUTH BEND -- President Bush has added a second speech to the agenda for his scheduled visit in South Bend on Thursday. The Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County was expected to make 5,000 free tickets available to the public Wednesday for the Thursday afternoon speech at the airport. Bush already was scheduled to speak Thursday at a $250-a-plate fund-raising dinner for the campaign of 2nd District Republican candidate Chris Chocola. The dinner, which is sponsored by a newly formed "Hoosiers' Salute to the President Committee," will be held at the Century Center.

Four bands rock the IMU

By Mark Lee · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12 a.m.

Last year, the Indiana Memorial Union's "Rock Explosion" was held outdoors and Bloomington's best were rained upon. This year, Laborius Clef, Blue Moon Review, Three Minute Mile and Jeremy Radway featuring SPRED are holding court indoors tomorrow night in the IMU to give their current fans and first-year students a chance to sample the Bloomington music scene.