Longform

No pity for me

By Brian Stewart · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

Whenever I’ve been party to a discussion on the Iraq war in some international relations class (or, for that matter, in any other class where the natural link to politics is less detectable), professors invariably have me argue the case for regime change. As much as I’d like to attribute this open invitation to my superior debating skills, I have come to notice that the reason I am called upon is less flattering: There is scarcely anyone else willing – and even fewer who seem able – to argue the case.

New group organizing Gulf Coast volunteers

By Kevin Pozzi · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

“Y’all come back now, ya hear?” Following their first trip volunteering in the hurricane-damaged region of the Gulf Coast, IU students Matt Morrow and Mike Deranek borrowed the saying from “The Beverly Hillbillies” for the name of a new organization, Youth Advocating Leadership & Learning, or Y’ALL.

Hoosiers prepare for 1st full offseason under Sampson

By Matt Mattucci · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

It’s been more than a week since IU’s 54-49 loss to the UCLA Bruins in the second round of the NCAA tournament. Already, the Hoosiers are beginning their offseason work and preparing for the 2007-08 campaign. IU coach Kelvin Sampson said the squad will now focus on catching up academically, but the players will also begin their offseason workouts soon. “Strength training will be a huge point of emphasis (in the offseason), especially for the young kids,” Sampson said last Thursday during his weekly news conference. “We do a lot of explosive work and a little bit of everything. With the rule set up for time allowed, we have to shut down everything the week before finals, so we have a three-week window to practice.”

Defense plans expert review of deadly 2006 Taylor crash

By AP Reports and Alexandra R. Moses · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

A judge approved money for an expert to aid the defense of a truck driver accused of falling asleep at the wheel and causing a collision that killed four Taylor University students and a university employee.

Note-able laziness

By Abra Oliver · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

Rolling out of bed in the morning. Getting dressed. Walking to class. The mornings of a typical college student are nothing if not demanding. And by the time you actually get to class, paying attention and taking notes is often just out of the question.

D.J.: Staying or going?

By Ryan Corazza · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

Perhaps an even bigger story than Eric Gordon and his explosion coming to Assembly Hall next year is the question all IU fans are asking: Is D.J. White going to stick around next year, or is he going pro? Let’s see what his coach has to say about it.

An artistic perspective on nature

By Ryan Brown · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

As I looked out my fifth-floor Forest Quad window Saturday afternoon, I saw people running, throwing Frisbees, having picnics and even doing cartwheels. Yes, spring is here, and last weekend showed it’s in full swing. The warm weather brought with it a sense of community and childlike whimsy that is characterized by all the cliche imagery of joy and wonder.

Farewell to a friend

By Alberto D. Morales · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

Dale Steffey set the tone to his son’s funeral Monday morning at Evangelical Community Church, 503 S. High St. “This morning’s season is one of celebration and mourning,” he said at a press conference prior to his son’s funeral service. Gallery of Wade Steffey's funeral Audio from Monday's press conference

Classical pianist O’Riley to perform tonight

Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

Christopher O’Riley, a pianist and the host of NPR’s “From the Top” classical-music program, will perform at 8 p.m. today at the IU Auditorium.

‘America’s Educator’ to share teaching experience

By Allie Townsend · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

The man known as “America’s Educator” is expected to fill seats and warm hearts at the Indiana Memorial Union’s Alumni Hall as he steps into the spotlight Tuesday night.

IU swimmers head to spring championships

By Brian Buckey · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

The NCAA season is complete for the IU swimming and diving teams, but you wouldn’t know it based on Saturday morning’s practice. The sound of frantic swimming filled Councilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center as swimming coach Ray Looze paced the pool, urging his swimmers to push harder. As the swimmers touched the wall, they eagerly looked to their coach for their time.

Students propose renovations to Business/SPEA library

By Jessica Anderson · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

After reviewing student proposals from the Z302: Managing Behavioral Organizations course, the library administration and the deans of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the Kelley School of Business will meet in May to discuss the students’ suggestions to improve library services.

State for sale

By Scott Leadingham · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

The government of Indiana recently announced its plan to sell itself to the highest bidder. Now, before you set fire to this newspaper and start foaming at the mouth, take a moment to assess the potential benefits of selling Indiana to another state.

2 people pulled from wrecked plane

By AP Reports and Alexandra R. Moses · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

A homeowner pulled two people from the wreckage of a small plane after it crashed into his southern Indiana home Sunday, police said.

Russian, Chinese presidents call on Iran to fulfill U.N. nuclear demands

By Abdullah AlShihri and Vladimir Isachenkov · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

MOSCOW – The presidents of Russia and China on Monday called on Iran to fulfill the U.N. Security Council’s demands over its disputed nuclear program – a sign of impatience from Iran’s two closest allies over its continued defiance.

Fake news, Onion-flavored: Satirical newspaper branches out into online video

By Abdullah AlShihri and Seth Sutel · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

NEW YORK – Having already blossomed as a newspaper, Web site and book publisher, The Onion – perhaps the most dominant provider of fake news anywhere – is bringing its brand of humor to the hot medium of the moment: online video.

‘Cinderella’ provides fairy-tale ending to ballet season

By Ashley Wilson · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

The IU Ballet Theater has a reputation for presenting ballets that are far from disappointing, and Friday evening’s performance of “Cinderella” was no exception. The imaginative production, which had its world debut in the spring of 2005 and featured the original choreography of professor of music Jacques Cesbron, was both lively and humorous, with choreography that remained true to traditional movements. The opening scene in this three-act ballet takes place inside Cinderella’s house with Cinderella, senior Catherine Wolfson, scrubbing the floors while her two stepsisters and stepmother, Stephanie Lampe, Whitney Huell and Brittany Balthrop respectively, prepare for “The Prince’s Ball.”

Americans honor dead veterans

By Abdullah AlShihri and Scott Lindlaw · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

SAN FRANCISCO – It took seven years after the fighting had ended for the nation to dedicate the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. This time around, Americans aren’t waiting for the shooting to stop.

IU student arrested for choking girl

By Michael Reschke · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

An IU student was arrested for strangling his girlfriend Sunday. Bloomington police officers were dispatched to the 2300 block of East Second Street, where they spoke with the female victim, 21, Sgt. Jeff Canada said, reading from a police report.

First diet drug for dogs approved by the FDA

By Heather Haemker · Tuesday, March 27,2007 12 a.m.

Attention, dog owners of the world: The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first diet pill for dogs. Slentrol, produced by Pfizer Inc., was approved Jan. 5 as the first canine diet pill on the market, according to the FDA. Scientists developed it to fight the rising number of obese dogs. According to FDA surveys, 5 percent of dogs in the United States are obese and another 20 percent to 30 percent are overweight. Slentrol is aimed at dogs that are at least 20 percent over their ideal weights. Dr. Stephan Sundlof, director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, told MedPage Today, a medical-news service, that Slentrol is a “welcome addition to animal therapies, because dog obesity appears to be increasing.”