IUPD

Christian rockers are back

In their fourth major label release, Testify, P.O.D., reaches back to its roots only to expand and improve on their already unique sound. Through their fusion of reggae and rock, this Christian rock group continues to showcase its ability to change styles and yet still remain true to themselves. This time, however, P.O.D. tries something a little different and strays from the formula of most rock albums by including guest vocalists on three of the songs, a trait commonly found on hip-hop and rap albums. Testify showcases a nice blend of songs ranging from some harder metal to the rap and reggae songs that have helped to create P.O.D.'s image.

'Annapolis' goes down hard

It's about time someone made a movie about the United States Naval Academy. As one of the best and most competitive institutions in America, it is a great setting for a Hollywood movie. It is even better when one captures the hard work, intensity and mental strain that goes into trying to become a naval officer. However, this movie doesn't even manage to come close to mastering this feat. "Annapolis" is about local shipbuilder Jake Huard (James Franco) and his devotion to the United States Naval Academy, the place he has known and loved his entire life.

A dark character study

It's very refreshing to see Pierce Brosnan without a tuxedo. For the last decade of his life, Brosnan has been known almost exclusively as James Bond, and in that super secret agent's shoes, he has arguably done more to further sexism and misogyny than any other man alive. Apparently, Brosnan understands that and has made a movie about a man who could be dutifully described as Bond's alcoholic half brother, the one who didn't make it into MI6. I'm not sure if he agreed to act in this film to both reinvent himself and tear down the Bond myth, but that is the result. He plays this role perfectly.

American oil junkies

Photographer Ansel Adams once said "it is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment." At the time, Adams was probably referencing Yellowstone National Park, a sanctuary for some of his most picturesque landscape still-frames. But today, the environmental battle on Capitol Hill involves a land far removed from the mass transit hustle and concrete shuffle of Washington, D.C. The rope around the neck of the Alaskan Arctic National Wildlife Refuge tightened during the holiday season as Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, upped the ante between the partisan aisles.

Coretta Scott King, widow of MLK, dies after heart attack

Bush: Oil, economic reforms necessary for U.S.

President Bush's State of the Union Address resulted in contrasting reactions from IU students on both sides of the political spectrum. Bush concentrated on the Iraq War for much of the speech, but he didn't say anything new, said Emma Cullen, president of the IU College Democrats.

Survey: Values change among new students

A recent report on incoming college freshmen found that college culture is slowly changing.

Historic month begins with loss

The enlistment of black soldiers in the Union army helped win the Civil War for the North. Though they accounted for only 2 percent of the population, blacks made up 13 percent of the total Union Army and suffered 10 percent of its casualties. After the war's end, President Abraham Lincoln said in a speech after the war that without the willing participation of thousands of black soldiers, the Confederacy likely would have prevailed.

Bush delivers fifth State of the Union address

Scripps Howard Foundation Wire WASHINGTON -- President Bush laid out Tuesday night his optimistic ideas of how the United States should fill its role as a global power and announced proposals for programs to make Americans more "competitive" in a global economy.

Free eating awareness screenings to be offered

In the United States, as many as 10 million women and 1 million men are fighting a life-and-death battle with an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia.

Hoosiers need a leader to emerge

Right now the Hoosiers need one thing -- a true leader. There needs to be a vocal presence on the court that spurs the team through the lulls that have plagued it lately. Tonight's home game against the Northwestern Wildcats provides IU with an opportunity to iron out the difficulties that have surfaced during the last few games. But there needs to be a forceful leader on the floor who commands the respect of his teammates, a guy the team looks to for confidence when it gets behind.

Illini beat Badgers again, take Big Ten lead

MADISON, Wis. -- For every other Big Ten team, Wisconsin's Kohl Center isn't the place to go for a little peace and quiet.

Hoosiers squander lead once again

For the second straight weekend, the IU hockey team was unable to hold on to a third period lead, as it blew a 5-3 advantage in the second game of its weekend set. The Hoosiers settled for a tie after winning 5-2 Friday night against the defending Division II American Collegiate Hockey Association National Champions Michigan State Spartans in Bloomington.

February Madness for amateur athletes

For many IU students, high school marks the end of serious, organized athletic competition. Unless one possesses the athletic ability of James Hardy or the heart of Errek Suhr, most likely, their playing days as an athlete are minimal. However, through the IU's division of Recreational Sports, students are provided the opportunity to further their glory days as a competitor and experience the emotion and adrenaline rush of "March Madness."

Davis tweaking lineup in hopes to free Vaden

The Hoosiers added two true point guards to their roster this offseason, but this week IU coach Mike Davis decided to subtract them from the starting lineup.

Hoosiers look to rebound from 2 consecutive losses

IU has struggled on the boards all season long, but the biggest rebound of the season won't come from a box out. The season's most crucial rebound could come tonight against Northwestern (10-8, 3-4 Big Ten) in Assembly Hall, where the No. 21 Hoosiers will try to bounce back from two straight road losses.

Nuclear games

In a stunning development, France is trying to outflank President Bush on irresponsible militaristic rhetoric. The same France that has loudly denounced the U.S.' military response to terrorism for the past several years. On January 19, French President Jacques Chirac warned that France is prepared to respond to a terrorist attack with nuclear weapons. He said that while France's response "could be a conventional one. It could also be of a different kind." Two things about this announcement stun me. The first is how ridiculous the idea of responding to a terrorist attack with nuclear weapons is, and the second is the relatively muted response from the rest of the world.

Asian? American? Indian?

Ask Morgan Freeman: How are we going to get rid of Racism?

Open your mind

As a columnist, there is no better compliment than hearing someone say, "I disagreed with your column, but you argued your position very well." Fortunately, I heard that a lot in January. But last week, I heard something quite different. Apparently, some people think I "enjoy being close-minded."

School spirit goes hiss?

Last week we covered international crises, political scandals, a bank robbery and the ongoing reorganization of the top posts in the IU administration -- but, when the letters roll into the IDS office, what's the No. 1 subject of all that spilled ink? That's right: our Jan. 23 piece about students booing Sean Kline at the game against Purdue.