IUSA

Worries begin as retailers report weak September sales

Wednesday, Oct. 8,2008 11:48 p.m.

American shoppers went into hiding in September, sticking to buying the bare-bone essentials and leading many retailers to report dismal sales for the month as skittish consumers grappled with the financial meltdown spreading around the globe.

2 journalists missing in Lebanon

Wednesday, Oct. 8,2008 11:47 p.m.

Two American journalists vacationing in Lebanon have not been heard from since Oct. 1 and are believed to be missing, the U.S. Embassy said Wednesday, appealing for information on the journalists’ possible whereabouts.

‘Ask Ryan’ if chalking is art

By Ryan Brown · Wednesday, Oct. 8,2008 11:34 p.m.

As I began walking to class Monday, I was immediately intrigued by section after section of the sidewalk reading “Ask Ryan” in chalk.

Costume designer Scott Anderson makes the finishing touches to a charactor in the play "Dead Man Walking." The suit makes the man and as Scott says, "a wrinkle in a tie shows your class."

Costuming development, discovery process never over

Wednesday, Oct. 8,2008 11:33 p.m.

Each costume designer attempts to discover and understand each character in the play on which he or she is working.

Local groups hope for more public artwork

By Allison Tyra · Wednesday, Oct. 8,2008 11:31 p.m.

As they switch from trash cans to traffic control boxes, round two of the Bloomington Area Arts Council’s Stop and StART program is expected to be even better than summer’s round one, said the council’s development director Ed Vande Sande.

Jewish film festival examines women’s issues across cultures

Wednesday, Oct. 8,2008 11:29 p.m.

Jewish Women in Global Perspective, a documentary film festival exploring Jewish women’s authority and identity across cultures, is showing this weekend during an election season in which the topic of gender is pertinent.

Project helps girls explore identity through art forms

By Allison Tyra · Wednesday, Oct. 8,2008 11:27 p.m.

Senior Ashley Flora needed a project that combined art and community service for her minor in Leadership, Ethics and Social Action. She came up with “Does the Shoe Fit?,” a program focused on helping young girls find their identity through self-portraiture.

Catalina Bartlett and Gunnson Trey practice dance moves during Intermediate Salsa classes Tuesday night at Panache School of Ballroom and Social Dance.

New dance studio in Bloomington to have open house Friday

By Brian Meredith · Wednesday, Oct. 8,2008 11:26 p.m.

A brand-new ballroom and social dance studio opened its doors last week and will host an open house Friday to celebrate.

Cougars are all the rage

By Claire Burke · Wednesday, Oct. 8,2008 11:24 p.m.

As I was sitting at home earlier this week, feeling not even a little bit guilty that I had overslept and missed my first class, I flipped on the TV and watched a few minutes of “The Today Show.”

Students walk to school Wednesday morning as part of International Walk to School Day. Hundreds of students at all grade levels participated.

Students choose two legs instead of four wheels

By Amanda Bridgman · Wednesday, Oct. 8,2008 11:23 p.m.

From pre-schoolers in strollers to high schoolers, hundreds of students in the Monroe County Community School Corporation participated in International Walk to School Day on Wednesday morning.

IU Ballet Theater dancers rehearse for their performance "Ballets of Our Time" on Tuesday night at the MAC. The performances, which will be accompanied by the IU Symphonic Choir will take place this at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights this week at the MAC.

Opening a season of elegance

By Katherine Hagan · Wednesday, Oct. 8,2008 11:23 p.m.

Combining themes of sorrow, passion and religion with contemporary choreography, the IU Ballet Theater opens its season with “Ballets of Our Time” at 8 p.m. Friday at the Musical Arts Center.

‘Joe Six-Pack’ says Yee-haw to VP debate

Wednesday, Oct. 8,2008 10:25 p.m.

What was most disturbing about the vice-presidential debate was not the discomfort of watching an experienced, well-spoken statesman attempt to debate with an inarticulate “straight-talker” but rather the media’s post-debate reaction. According to the media, Palin came off stronger than expected (a comment referring to her Couric interview – an interview so embarrassing it’d be more accurate to say Palin did better than atrocious).

McKim solid candidate for Council

Wednesday, Oct. 8,2008 10:24 p.m.

I value collegiality, communication and common sense in making long-term plans and solving community problems in the City of Bloomington. These characteristics are also important in representatives on the Monroe County Council. Geoff McKim is a solid candidate I heartily support. McKim studies issues to understand their complexities. He is a respectful communicator. He will take a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation and criminal justice. He brings a business background and strong educational credentials to help promote economic diversity and prosperity.

Man of war, man of peace

Wednesday, Oct. 8,2008 10:23 p.m.

John McCain is a man of war. He often mentions his status as a veteran, and I am grateful to McCain for his years of service, but looking back at his record, it is apparent that all he knows is war. He does not have a well-rounded education. His policies reflect only military-type tactics. He talks much about using troops wisely and not loosing in Iraq, but I have not heard how he will achieve peace there. And how would he deal with an emboldened Russia? By threatening military force? What if climate change affects agriculture output? How will the military deal with that? How will McCain shoot his way out of the economic mess we are in? We need a president who knows more than just war.

Jesus deserves honor today

Wednesday, Oct. 8,2008 10:23 p.m.

I happened upon a grand placard. It was a wondrous design of art and beauty. Fixed in astounding relief were the names of many persons of great worth and note. They were members of a glorious, victorious team of years gone by. Atop the list was one identified as “Coach,” an individual obviously highly venerated, for his name was designed in a richer, larger text than any other.

A great injustice

Wednesday, Oct. 8,2008 10:22 p.m.

IU is known for its promotion of diversity and the free exchange of ideas. As president of the student body, my goal is to uphold and protect these fundamental principles. At times, we need a reminder that the well-being of our diverse community depends on the protection of these values. Last Thursday, our campus welcomed a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Peter Pace. His presence in Bloomington sparked controversy across our University, as he was to be named the Poling Chair of Business & Government by the Kelley School.

Character counts

By Justin P. Hill · Wednesday, Oct. 8,2008 10:21 p.m.

John Edwards is the lowest of human beings. I am shocked and appalled at the Union Board’s decision to have former Sen. John Edwards speak to IU students. I am offended, disappointed and livid at the poor judgment exercised by the UB, College Democrats, Residence Halls Association and Provost Karen Hanson in this decision, which is encouraging, perpetuating and rewarding bad behavior. The facts: In 2006, Edwards had an affair while his wife was mothering three children and recovering from breast cancer. In early 2008, Edwards ran an unsuccessful campaign for president. In August 2008, Edwards disclosed the news of his affair. The UB, funded by IU student fees, is paying Edwards $35,000 to speak for probably less than one hour on Nov. 11.

A Libertarian utopia

By Indira Dammu · Wednesday, Oct. 8,2008 10:19 p.m.

The recent campus debates over both the decision to invite Sen. John Edwards to speak and the appointment of Gen. Peter Pace to a prestigious teaching position have once again exposed the dual role that universities must play. In addition to fostering different viewpoints, educational institutions act as gatekeepers of knowledge, in that they have the power to legitimize certain ideologies. As we grapple with the failure of laissez-faire economics and deregulation, it seems unfair to celebrate the architect of these disastrous policies. In May 2008, the University of Chicago announced the intention to invest about $200 million in the creation of the Milton Friedman Institute.

Let’s debate ... the CPD

By DJ Funkhouser · Wednesday, Oct. 8,2008 10:18 p.m.

This year’s presidential and vice-presidential debates have been complete drivel. It’s hardly a new revelation that they leave viewers unsatisfied. Back in 1998, Walter Cronkite said “the debates are part of an unconscionable fraud that our political campaigns have become. ... The candidates participate only with the guarantee of a format that defies meaningful discourse.” It still rings true today. I sat watching the vice-presidential debate with the same intentions the few of you not playing drinking games had – to get information about our candidates. But I finished without any new information. Despite huge audiences, everyone’s mentioning how useless they think these debates are. Sadly, this has become as American as apple pie.

Owning up

By Jacob Levin · Wednesday, Oct. 8,2008 10:17 p.m.

BEIJING – Around the age when we begin to ask where babies and presidents come from, we begin on a track of knowledge that eventually stalls in the realization that politicians are sometimes less than straightforward. Curiously enough, no one seems to ask why this is. Of course this observation is correct, but if the national commentary on the election is at all representative of what people really think, a politician who would only answer our prayers and give definite answers would surely be elected. The fact that no one chooses to do so indicates a problem with us, not them.