IUPD

Hoosiers drop final Big Ten tune up

By Jake Brown and Jacob Brown · Thursday, March 30,2006 12:38 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- The IU baseball team faltered in its final game before conference play, falling 6-5 to Butler after holding a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth. The Bulldogs (9-12) used their home-field advantage and battled back late in the game for the win, dropping the Hoosiers to 7-11 overall. "To me there is no solace in one-run losses," IU coach Tracy Smith said. "Good teams win close games, and we have go to start winning them." The Hoosiers' hopes of winning began to dwindle away after the first two hitters in Butler's lineup reached base off IU reliever Tyler Tufts. With runners on first and third and no outs, Tufts induced a ground ball double play off the bat of Clayton Deeb, allowing a run in the process. Butler's Stephen Gill then followed with a single, and Josh Brown reached on an error from IU's Keith Haas. Butler's Tony Barnes continued the hitting spree with a single, tying the game at five. The Bulldogs' Joe Pauley ended the game with a shot to the right-center field gap, scoring Brown.

Reaction: Sampson good choice

By Matt Mattucci · Thursday, March 30,2006 12:36 a.m.

During IU's search for a new men's basketball coach, Kelvin Sampson's name wasn't plastered on headlines or message board walls. Fans speculated about a list of potential candidates, but the former University of Oklahoma coach's moniker was rarely mentioned. When reports surfaced Tuesday saying Sampson was bound for IU, fans and columnists criticized the decision and spoke out negatively against him. But when the University announced Sampson as its 26th men's basketball coach Wednesday, Hoosier nation decided to speak out again -- this time with words of encouragement and praise for the new head coach.

Bogado extinguishes Flames in win

By Chris Sauer · Thursday, March 30,2006 12:33 a.m.

For the IU softball team, the day started off well and ended even better. The team swept its doubleheader against the University of Illinois-Chicago with wins of 6-2 and 9-2. Riding an impressive streak of 11-3 in their past 14 games, the team will look to harness that momentum as they head into Big Ten conference play. "We feel excited," senior Mariangee Bogado said. "We are ready to play and get some more wins." Bogado had a big day for the Hoosiers in the first game against UIC. The senior threw a complete game with six strikeouts to extinguish the Flames and hold them to just two runs. But, Bogado was not finished.

Get on the bus or just stay home

By Ryan Phillips · Thursday, March 30,2006 12:32 a.m.

OK that's it, I'm tired of all this negativity. I'm fed up with fans who claim to be loyal but constantly bash their beloved team. I'm over all of your e-mails, phone calls and Facebook messages telling me how horrible I am for backing my soon-to-be alma mater. Plain and simple, I'm tired of a large number of people who claim to be part of "the Hoosier Nation." And I know I'm not the only one.

Immigration bills, bills, bills

By Felipe Maya · Thursday, March 30,2006 12:29 a.m.

Can you imagine a future where colossal concrete walls lines the U.S. borders and, in fear of economic contamination, immigrants are chased out like invading bacteria?

Let me see your grill

By Alyson Brodsy and Joanna Borns · Thursday, March 30,2006 12:28 a.m.

"I got my mouth looking something like a disco ball. I got the diamonds and the ice all handset. I might cause a cold front if I take a deep breath." These are the words of hip-hop artist Pall Wall featured in Nelly's latest single "Grillz." Gold teeth go beyond just crowns. I was aware that platinum teeth, diamond teeth and general tooth jewelry existed. However, when I heard this song about teeth on the radio, I knew the concept of "bling bling" decorating the "grill" was becoming more prominent in our culture.

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.