Longform

Wrong perspective on China

Tuesday, Sept. 30,2008 8:46 p.m.

In response to Jacob Levin’s column “Rethinking China” from Sept. 25: While I find Mr. Levin’s optimism rather heartwarming, I urge him to look a bit deeper into the nature of the relationship between the Chinese government and its citizens. Mr. Levin is certainly correct that CNN.com is accessible, but has he ever tried accessing the Web sites of Human Rights Watch or Voice of America? When he talks to professors about their relationship with the government, is he aware of who writes those professors’ paychecks? Has he ever asked students about their understanding of the events that took place in Tiananmen Square 20 years ago?

Straight leadership

By Nick Wallace · Tuesday, Sept. 30,2008 8:43 p.m.

On Thursday, IU will take a powerful stance against the equality of gay people. It will make General Peter Pace, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, one of the Kelley School’s Poling Chairs. Usually reserved for the likes of Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh and Randall Tobias, chairman emeritus of Eli Lilly, the Kelley School will now award the chair to a man who publicly stated, “I believe homosexual acts between two individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts.”

Truth serum

By Thomas Wachtel · Tuesday, Sept. 30,2008 8:39 p.m.

I know this happens a lot, but there seems to be an inordinate amount of lying in this year’s election, from the grassroots level on up. And this may just be my viewpoint, since I’m a known liberal, but it seems that there have been many more untruthful smears against Barack Obama than against John McCain, and many more personal attacks against him. But on that, it doesn’t really matter what I think because that’s not the subject of this column. The important thing is that the Obama campaign believes its candidate’s record and character are being distorted, and it is trying to take action, like any responsible campaign would. The way they’ve done it, though, has caused issues – though it honestly shouldn’t have.

Baron Hill Town Hall Meeting

Tuesday, Sept. 30,2008 2:16 p.m.

Baron Hill will be discussing why he voted against the bailout plan. He wants to hear from the local community about the bailout plan and will be hosting a town hall meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the atrium of City Hall. Story: Sodrel, Hill voice opposition to bailout bill

IU releases response to NCAA charge

By Tom Kirby · Tuesday, Sept. 30,2008 12:25 a.m.

In a letter to the NCAA released Monday, the IU Athletics Department denied it failed to monitor the IU men’s basketball program’s recruiting practices under former coach Kelvin Sampson. For several reasons listed in the letter, the University asserts the allegation is “not an appropriate finding.”

Child molestation case heard in law school

By Ben Phelps · Tuesday, Sept. 30,2008 12:24 a.m.

Judges from the Indiana Court of Appeals heard oral arguments Monday in the IU School of Law in a case regarding two counts of child molestation in Mishler v. State of Indiana. This was a part of the “Appeals on Wheels” program, which brings some of the state’s appellate hearings to places in Indiana for educational purposes.

Survivors, friends march against sexual assault, violence

By Haley Adams · Tuesday, Sept. 30,2008 12:21 a.m.

Before today, they were victims. Now, they are survivors. Advocates, activists and survivors will join together today to promote awareness of sexual and domestic violence at the annual Take Back the Night march and rally. “We want them to reclaim themselves and say they are survivors,” said Indira Dammu, president of the IU Women’s Student Association. “We call them survivors, not victims.”

Dow sets record with 777-point plunge

By Julie Hirschfield Davis · Tuesday, Sept. 30,2008 12:18 a.m.

WASHINGTON – In a vote that shook the government, Wall Street and markets around the world, the House defeated a $700 billion emergency rescue for the nation’s financial system Monday, leaving both parties’ lawmakers and the Bush administration scrambling to pick up the pieces. The bill went down 228-205.

Sodrel, Hill voice opposition to bailout bill

By Nicky Purser · Tuesday, Sept. 30,2008 12:14 a.m.

Both Indiana 9th district congressional candidates, incumbent Democrat Baron Hill and Republican challenger Mike Sodrel, declared their opposition Monday to a failed $700 billion plan to rescue collapsing financial firms. The bailout bill was endorsed by President Bush, congressional leaders and presidential candidates Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama. But it was defeated Monday in the House of Representatives, 228-205, and Hill was among those who voted against it. PODCAST: Hoosier Headlines

Trader Thomas Cannizzaro works Monday afternoon on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Fear swept across the financial markets Monday, sending the Dow Jones industrials down as much as 705 points, after the government's financial bailout package failed the House.

Nightmare on Wall Street

By Sean Morrison · Tuesday, Sept. 30,2008 12:12 a.m.

Despite a plunge of 777 points Monday, experts at IU say that the drop-off of the Dow Jones industrial average is not a major reason for concern or panic. “The drop in the Dow itself is not necessarily going to affect the economy,” Allen Snively, a finance lecturer, said Monday. “Certainly the psychological impact of a drop like we had today certainly can affect people’s behaviors in terms of their ability or willingness to spend money, but the economy isn’t affected by a single day like this.” Lawrence Davidson, an IU professor of business economics and public policy, said a stock market cycle must be studied over a long period of time in order to understand the strength of the market.

Asian Alumni Association awards judge

By Jessica Hullinger · Monday, Sept. 29,2008 11:51 p.m.

Kim said Witte’s numerous professional accomplishments and long history of giving back to the community made it clear he had earned the award, which recognizes distinguished alumni that have done great things for the Asian community.

Fasting to feed the hungry

By Jessica Hullinger · Monday, Sept. 29,2008 11:47 p.m.

Today, the IU Muslim Student Union will host the annual Fast-A-Thon, asking non-Muslim students and community members to join them in their fasting for one day only to raise money for the community kitchen of Monroe County and spread awareness of the Muslim faith.

New group plans to get students voting, involved

By Nola Lazin · Monday, Sept. 29,2008 11:46 p.m.

Brianna Dines, president of Democracy Matters, is helping start up one of the newest clubs on IU’s campus. She said the club focuses its energy around supporting a nonpartisan group that works on getting money out of politics and getting the voters back and more involved. Democracy Matters is a national group that was started in 2001 by NBA basketball player Adonal Foyle. The mission of the group, as stated on their Web site, is “to strengthen democracy by training young people how to be effective grassroots organizers and advocates and supporting full public financing of election campaigns and other pro-democracy reforms.”

IU club hockey roster set

By Tyler James Perry · Monday, Sept. 29,2008 11:46 p.m.

The IU club hockey team took to the ice last Friday night for an intrasquad exhibition game at Frank Southern Ice Arena in Bloomington for one final shakedown. The coaches divided the squad into two separate teams to help determine starters and finalize the roster.

Weekend of sports facilitates escape

By Bryan Payton · Monday, Sept. 29,2008 11:44 p.m.

You know, I really wanted to write about how my Chicago White Sox beat up on the Detroit Tigers to force a one-game playoff, but thanks to Mother Nature, that wasn’t possible – the game was delayed for too long. But the writing must go on. While my heart is currently with the White Sox, I realize this weekend was a pretty good one for sports. There was pretty much something for everyone.

Capobianco: ‘I’m not worried’

By Jordan Cohen · Monday, Sept. 29,2008 11:43 p.m.

With the recent pledge from 6-foot-11 center Bawa Muniru, IU men’s basketball coach Tom Crean now has six commitments from the 2009 class, although he only has room to give away five available scholarships. Muniru’s commitment last Thursday leaves 14 potential scholarship players in the fold for next year’s IU squad. But NCAA rules limit teams to 13 scholarships with the Big Ten permitting the Hoosiers to over-sign by one. Crean will be forced to make an adjustment should all six sign, but that hasn’t stopped him from recruiting for next year. Despite Muniru’s commitment, four-star recruit Chris Braswell visited this past weekend.

Late-voter registration to surge as deadline nears

Monday, Sept. 29,2008 11:42 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS – More than 70,000 Indiana residents have registered to vote since the May primary, and those numbers are rising as the deadline nears to vote in the Nov. 4 election.

Sophomore midfielder Rich Balchan eyes the ball during the Hoosiers' 2-1 loss to UC Santa Barbara on Friday night at Bill Armstrong Stadium.

Rough atmosphere awaits IU men's soccer’s chance to rebound

By Greg Rosenstein · Monday, Sept. 29,2008 11:42 p.m.

After the team’s 2-1 loss to UC-Santa Barbara on Saturday night, IU men’s soccer coach Mike Freitag said his biggest concern was the “casualness” his team displayed on the field. The Hoosiers hope to show a more aggressive approach today when they travel to Evansville for an 8 p.m. showdown against the Purple Aces. This weekend’s loss dropped the Hoosiers to a No. 17 national ranking and 4-2-2 on the season. The Purple Aces are 6-2 and coming off their largest margin of victory this year, a 6-0 win over Centenary.

Soldiers to get mental health evaluations