Longform

Who me, vote?

Tuesday. What a boring, insignificant day of the week. It’s a necessary evil that inevitably stands between Monday and Wednesday. Beyond that, it has absolutely no relevance at all. This Tuesday in particular should be nothing short of blah. On its own, Nov. 4 signifies nothing other than Halloween being over and Thanksgiving still a couple of weeks away. How appropriate, then, that Nov. 4 happens to be Election Day. Nope, nothing exciting here. The guy with the big ears is getting kicked out of office, one way or another. So why vote?

Realistic expectations

Tuesday, it’s over. The votes will be counted. A new president will be elected. And while half the country rejoices, the other will pout. But have faith. Regardless of who wins, everything will be all right. There’s so much that’s put into a presidential race. Donors give their money. Volunteers give their time. And the candidates give all of themselves – their ideas, their personalities, their families, their pasts –  to be praised by their parties, mocked by their opponents and scrutinized by the media.

The cure for nyctophobia

Nyctophobia is fear of the dark. It’s a rational fear. Darkness is frightening. It’s akin to blindness. There is no telling what lies ahead without light to illuminate the way.    In our technologically savvy society, however, we have the luxury of flipping a simple switch on a wall to replace the darkness with light. Car headlights were invented to assist drivers’ night vision and prevent accidents. Some might even find themselves resorting to dependence on the blue glow from their cell phones to light their way in the dark.

Joe is everybody

Republican presidential nominee John McCain says each of us is Joe the Plumber. Apparently every citizen of the United States of America is a white, middle class male with a small business that earns more than $250,000 a year. Well that is news to me. Last I checked I was a female college student making no money. It makes me wonder: Who is this man everyone has found a common thread with?

Brunner's 485 yards takes Chippewas past Hoosiers 37-34

Completely outmatched through the air, the IU football team’s defense couldn’t stop Central Michigan’s backup quarterback Brian Brunner as he threw for 485 yards and four touchdowns. Brunner led his Chippewas to a 37-34 non-conference victory against the Hoosiers on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

McCain to be in Indianapolis on Monday

Republican presidential candidate John McCain will be making his first Indiana stop since July 1 on Monday, just a day before the election.McCain will make the stop at the International Arrivals Ramp at the Indianapolis Airport. The stop comes as part of the Road to Victory Rally.

Decision Day

Night of the living undead

Kirkwood Avenue and Walnut Street are hubs of nightlife entertainment for college students, but this Thursday the streets entertained a different crowd: the undead.

Celebrity status of candidates might affect votes

Rock star. War hero. Small town beauty queen. Through YouTube, Facebook and “Saturday Night Live,” pop culture stereotypes of Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin are permeating this year’s election.

McRobbie travels to Asia to work with Korean Universities

IU President Michael McRobbie leaves today for a trip to South Korea and China. McRobbie, along with several IU faculty and staff members, will spend six days in Korea and two days in China, where they will attend a conference on the globalization of education, according to a press release.

Myers’ appeal for trial denied

The Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday denied an appeal of John Myers II, the man convicted of murdering IU student Jill Behrman.

On the outside looking in

As senior Andrew Sharp drags his brown sneakers back and forth to clear leaves and seeds off the sidewalk, the cynicism in his voice is matched only by his frustration. “We used to do it every week last year,” he says, dropping to his knees and drawing a “D” with orange jumbo chalk.

IU organizations meet Sunday for Campus Cleanup

The Civic Leadership Development organization of the Kelley School of Business is holding its annual Campus Cleanup from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday. This is the first year the event is being held in the fall the week before Parents Weekend in an effort to beautify the IU campus.

Student democrats battle Election Day blues

The entertainment for Friday's early voting march will be a political satire about Barack Obama by freshman Ben Bizuneh, a stand-up comedian who recently won open-mic night at Funny Bone for his “Obamedy” act.

Retired psychology professor dies Wed.

Retired psychology professor Dorothy Saltzman died in her sleep Wednesday at a nursing home in Evansville, according to Alexander Funeral Homes.

EXCEL conference promotes socially responsible leaders

The fifth annual EXCEL conference, scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at the Kelley School of Business, offers workshops from leaders in the business market.

IU to host GLBT conference in February

In February, between 1,500 and 1,800 students from throughout the Midwest will flood campus for one weekend when the University hosts the 17th annual Midwest Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Ally College Conference.

Limiting turnovers could be key to football's fourth win

Last week, the IU football players seemed to have figured out what was plaguing them during the previous five weeks. The 21-19 win against Northwestern on Homecoming was the Hoosiers’ (3-5, 1-4) first since September. Now IU looks to win back-to-back games for the second time this season as it welcomes Central Michigan (6-2, 5-0 MAC) to Memorial Stadium on Saturday. “We had a good win against Northwestern,” IU coach Bill Lynch said. “It was a game that we needed to get back on track, and I really liked the way our guys played. They played with a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm, and really, we did the things we had to. We had to win the turnover margin.” Lynch has said all season losing the turnover battle handicapped the Hoosiers in their losses. Winning that battle against the Chippewas has proven to be nearly impossible for everyone else, however. Central Michigan is currently tied with UNLV and Florida for the fewest turnovers in the nation at six. So far this season, the Hoosiers have turned the ball more than 14 times.

Both QBs available to play Saturday against Chippewas

IU needs some Philly fire