Community Arts

Taxes not the only topic on state table

INDIANAPOLIS -- As the 2002 session of the Indiana General Assembly reaches its midpoint this week, tax restructuring and the state's budget deficit aren't the only things still on the table. Pledge bill loses momentum Other issues and legislative proposals are still alive, at least in some form. Bills in the House and Senate to mandate that schools have a U.S. flag in every classroom and have teachers lead the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence are not moving anymore.

Arnold picks bad time to 'be back'

Raise the gasoline tax

There is a proposal in the Indiana General Assembly to raise the gasoline tax by 10 cents over the next three years. The tax, when fully implemented, will generate $330 million per year. The money from this tax will go to build new roads and strengthen Indiana's existing infrastructure. The gasoline tax should be raised, not only to finance road repair and construction and reduce the budget deficit, but also to reduce Indiana's dependency on gasoline. Indiana's infrastructure is looking at a dismal future, because in 2003, the Crossroads program, bonds that provides the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) with $200 million per year, is going to expire.

Bush family 'talking heads'

Who's the television president? Bill Clinton wins that one hands down, right? Only if you ignored the 2000 push to market George W. Bush as the low-acid orange juice alternative. Tastes good, and won't make you queasy in the morning. But ever since the ceiling caved in on the new economy ... or is it that the floor fell out from underneath? Whatever.

Greeks get down and dirty for philanthropy

Dunn Meadow was filled with ketchup, dish detergent and maple syrup Sunday as teams defended their flags in Alpha Phi's ninth-annual Capture the Flag philanthropy event. The philanthropy raised nearly $500 for the Alpha Phi Foundation, which funds research and education for heart disease, said Alpha Phi philanthropy chairwoman Katie Zimmerman, a junior. Teams from 10 greek houses braved the cold to participate, each bringing food to defend their respective flags. Syrups, dish detergent and ketchup sprayed everywhere as teams hunted flags.

Final beam falls at Ground Zero

NEW YORK -- The last steel beam left standing at the World Trade Center site was cut down Tuesday and draped in an American flag in the first of a series of ceremonies marking the end of the sorrowful, 8-month cleanup. The 30-foot girder survived when the twin towers collapsed into a mountain of 1.8 million tons of rubble Sept. 11. For months it was covered by debris, but as the pile shrank the column was revealed, still standing where it was erected when the south tower was built three decades ago.

INPIRG drills for awareness

An oil derrick was in the middle of Dunn Meadow Thursday, but it wasn't drilling for black gold. Instead, the derrick was drilling for support for the Indiana Public Interest Research Group's efforts to stop potential drilling in the Alaskan Arctic Wildlife Refuge. During the demonstration, INPIRG supporters spread their message and handed out flyers that included Indiana Senator Richard Lugar's office contact information.

Another tough opponent, another failed comeback bid falls short

For the second consecutive game, the women's basketball team pushed a formidable Big Ten opponent to the brink. But yet again, the Hoosiers couldn't execute a comeback in a 73-65 loss to Iowa at Assembly Hall.

Education law misses mark

President George W. Bush signed a bipartisan bill Tuesday that makes sweeping changes to the country's system of education, his No. 1 domestic priority. We applaud efforts to increase academic achievement at our public schools, but take issue with federal testing requirements.

Owens to transfer next year

Freshman guard Andre Owens announced Friday that he will not return to the men's basketball team next season. Owens has been granted a release from his scholarship at IU and will transfer to another school after finishing the academic year. Owens said he wants to play for a team with a more up-tempo offense. Owens, a former Perry Meridian High School standout, met with coach Mike Davis Friday to inform him of his decision to transfer.

Sacrificial Love

(PHOTO ESSAY)

Can't please everyone

After seven years of hard work studying an instrument and a year and a half of learning to compromise, I've found out that being in a band is a little harder than I had imagined. Well, at least it's a little more like taking care of a child than I thought. Hundreds of dollars have to be invested. You have to give up some of your space. You go around introducing it to people and talking about how proud you are, thinking of a catchy name, talking about its interests, future plans…The rest of the time you spend justifying the choices you make on its behalf: "No, we don't play any Elvis Costello, but it's the drummer's fault, I swear! No, I don't have any leather pants. I can't help it that I'm not British, but Americans can rock too." But when you first start a band, one of the biggest choices you make is what image you want to put forth.

Surreal scenes surround victory

I can't believe what I am witnessing. Hoosier basketball fans flooded Kilroy's Sports Bar. Everyone was wearing so much red and white I thought Steve and Barry's had been looted. You couldn't hear yourself think let alone carry on a conversation. I've seen more walking space on a 50-passenger plane. And perhaps for those same reasons, there were nothing but smiles and laughs from the people having the greatest night of their college or post-college career.

Richard Lugo

New facility will house rare collections

The sun was shining, balloons were blowing in the breeze and a band set the tone for an important day in the history of IU Libraries. After years of dedication to bettering IU learning on the part of several University staff members, a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Auxiliary Library was held Monday at 10th Street and the State Road 45/46 bypass.

Runner excels in classroom

Many college students have a hard time managing their time. Many try to find the balance between studies and free time. Freshman Mindy Peterson is no exception. However, she has honors classes and a cross country schedule to deal with. And she has done both of these things very well. Peterson is one of the top runners for IU's cross country team. She has placed no worse than third for the team in all six of the races she has run in this season. With practices and classes, finding the time to do the things she wants isn't always easy. Practices range from sprint drills to long runs to lifting weights. Weekends don't even offer time off.

Traficant's last hurrah

Today, Jim Traficant is the most colorful and outspoken member of Congress. Tomorrow, he might be gone.

Opening Events Calendar

After 15 years in the making, the dream of the new Theatre/Neal-Marshall Education Center will be realized tomorrow in a day-long, campus-wide celebration. The dedication of the new state-of-the-art facility will feature keynote speakers and actor/ activists Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Friday evening, with workshops, tours and exhibits throughout the day.

Minnesota defense fights off Hoosiers' outside punch

MINNEAPOLIS -- Kerwin Fleming and Kevin Burleson had one guy to look for: the red-headed guy in the red jersey with No. 3 pasted on his back.

Censorship supported by Illinois Attorney General

This fall, First Amendment rights for college students in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin will go before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Students are taking administrative officials at Governors State University, located 30 miles south of downtown Chicago, to court. Three students allege the administration at Governors State enacted prior restraint in its attempt to control content of the student-run newspaper, The Innovator.