Longform

Ben Folds 'rumbles' a sold-out IU crowd

By Zack Teibloom · Sunday, Nov. 12,2006 10:45 p.m.

Accordion rock got the crowd on its feet, and Ben Folds kept them there Thursday night at the IU Auditorium. Folds' energetic two-hour show had the packed auditorium standing, singing and clapping along for the entire concert. Folds rocked the auditorium, playing a mix of new and old songs.

In us we trust

By Alyson Brodsy and Grace Low · Sunday, Nov. 12,2006 10:23 p.m.

A decision by the student trustees of Orange Coast College in California has revived the debate on the Pledge of Allegiance in public institutions. The trustees have voted almost unanimously to ban the recitation of the pledge at their meetings, citing ideological issues with swearing loyalty to God or country. The leader is an atheist who claims a government must earn allegiance, not bully its citizens into reciting rote patriotism. Some of their schoolmates have responded with vehement disagreement, loudly reciting the pledge at their open meetings and going public with accusations of being inappropriately offensive and anti-American. This debate bears to question: Are these students forward-thinking heroes of constitutional fervor, or are they commie bastards who should get out if they don't like America?

A change of plans

By Alyson Brodsy and Michelle Manchir · Sunday, Nov. 12,2006 10:22 p.m.

Last Wednesday I was worried about missing a workout. I was worried about skipping statistics class the day before. I was worried about studying for an art history quiz.

Flunking the SAT

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, Nov. 12,2006 10:20 p.m.

Oh, IUSA, you were doing so well. With investigating the allocation of the Rape Crisis Fund, supporting plans for a more environmentally sustainable campus and calling for more student input in the presidential search process, we were fairly convinced of the legitimacy of this student administration. Our warm, fuzzy feelings toward IUSA came to a screeching halt, however, when quite possibly the most ill-conceived idea since the 2002 election Corvette debacle (in which IUSA purchased a Corvette for approximately $50,000 that would be raffled off in order to get students to vote in the 2002 general election) came into fruition Thursday.

Indiana GOP's primary mission is to 'defeat' agenda of Democratic Party

Sunday, Nov. 12,2006 10:16 p.m.

Republican Rep. Mike Pence, who's seeking to become leader of the House Republicans when Democrats take control in January, said his party's primary mission in Congress' next two sessions will be "to defeat the agenda of the Democratic Party."

Election officials prepare for recounts in 3 Indiana House races

By Mike Smith · Sunday, Nov. 12,2006 10:15 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Election officials met Friday to prepare for as many as three recounts in closely contested Indiana House races.

Governor's proposed bypass would likely spark land battles

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, Nov. 12,2006 10:14 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- If Gov. Mitch Daniels' plan to build a tollway on the far outskirts of Indianapolis wins legislative approval, land-use experts said the highway would likely be challenged by landowners unwilling to have their land swallowed up for the project.

Suicide bombs kill 35 police recruits

By Christopher Bodeen · Sunday, Nov. 12,2006 10:13 p.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A pair of suicide bombs ripped through a crowd of would-be police recruits in Baghdad Sunday, killing at least 35, and authorities found 75 bodies in the capital and Baqouba, an unusually high number even by Iraq's grim standards.

Veterans honored Saturday at courthouse

By Michael Reschke · Sunday, Nov. 12,2006 10:13 p.m.

People greeted each other with smiles and handshakes just before entering the doorway on a blustery November day. It was standing room only in the rotunda of the Monroe County Courthouse as "America the Beautiful" was played on a piano. Those with seats joined those already standing as everyone removed their hats to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Student struck by automobile outside Kilroy's Sports Bar

By Michael Reschke · Sunday, Nov. 12,2006 10:13 p.m.

An IU student was injured after being struck by an automobile near Kilroy's Sports Bar early Saturday morning. As of Sunday afternoon, Jina Yang, 21, a resident of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, had been released from Bloomington Hospital after being treated for injuries from the accident.

Plans made to meet casino vistor's health needs

By HsinLin Lu · Sunday, Nov. 12,2006 10:11 p.m.

People wanting to visit the new French Lick Springs Resort Casino weren't the only ones anticipating the casino's opening last Friday. The local health care community has been preparing for the new casino and its possible effects for about a year.

Arab League proposes Palestinian-Israeli peace talks

By Salah Nasrawi · Sunday, Nov. 12,2006 10:01 p.m.

CAIRO, Egypt -- The Arab League called Sunday for an international peace conference with Israel, and diplomats said the Hamas-led Palestinian government accepted.

UPDATE: IU falls 34-3 to No. 2 Michigan

Sunday, Nov. 12,2006 2:27 a.m.

With the seniors playing their last game at Memorial Stadium, the IU football team fell 34-3 to No. 2 Michigan Saturday.

Ben Folds: An 'Army' of One

By Zack Teibloom · Sunday, Nov. 12,2006 2:24 a.m.

Corn Mo's comedy-infused accordion rock got the crowd on their feet. Ben Folds kept them there with an energetic two-hour show. With a well received bassist and drummer behind him, Folds had the packed auditorium standing, singing and clapping along for the entire concert Thursday night.

ONLINE ONLY: Bluegrass blues

By Jessica Simendinger · Sunday, Nov. 12,2006 12 a.m.

There I was, at the races, trapped in a building where people were allowed to smoke indoors, and Starbucks was a foreign concept. In fact, there was no hot coffee at all. All I could get my hands on to feed my monstrous caffeine addiction was a cold cup of something that can only be described as dirty water with coffee grounds stirred in. Ahh, the joy of returning to your roots.

UPDATE: IU defeats Indianapolis 83-46

Friday, Nov. 10,2006 11:11 p.m.

The IU men's basketball team defeated the University of Indianapolis 83-46 Friday night at Assembly Hall in their second and final exhibition game of the season.

ONLINE ONLY: Annoyed lately

By Alyson Brodsy and Sarah Shipe · Friday, Nov. 10,2006 12:01 p.m.

"My grandmother died." "I was having car problems." "I slept through my alarm." "My roommate kept me up last night with his obnoxious rendition of Paris Hilton's 'Stars are Blind.'" As a graduate student and instructor for introductory courses, I have heard more creative excuses for skipping class than Mel Gibson offered for his drunken tirade. Just last week, a student informed me that his assignment would be turned in late because his computer was not compatible with the Oncourse software.

Elect to conform

By Jacob Stewart · Friday, Nov. 10,2006 11:11 a.m.

Vote. Vote and be recognized. Vote and be one of us. Vote or be segregated. Vote or be judged. Vote, vote, vote -- or die. Nov. 7, 2006, came and went. The Democrats completed their drive for Congress , and the young voters of America once again stood up and let their voices be heard. And what was the sound that came from the collective voice of American youth? A triumphant call that roared the Democrats to victory or an appalled grumble longing for GOP control? Both, actually. But consider what went unsaid by the young members of each political party.

Romanian pride

By Stefania Marghitu · Friday, Nov. 10,2006 11:10 a.m.

Upon telling people that I'm of Romanian descent, I often get reactions of bewilderment. I imagine a screen in the person's head projecting a scrambled map of the world or pictures of Nicolae Ceausescu (communist), Nadia Comaneci (gymnast) and Dracula (vampire). The truth is, there's so much more to my motherland. Romania, located in Eastern Europe, is a quite beautiful country. With four distinct seasons, one can go skiing in the Carpathian Mountains in the winter, visit the beautiful Oltenian countryside in the spring, swim in the Black Sea in the summer and go shopping in Bucharest in the fall.

Voting in vain

By Natalie A. Avon · Friday, Nov. 10,2006 11:04 a.m.

I didn't vote Tuesday. Now, before the politically competent furrow their brows and shake their heads, let me explain my reasoning. It wasn't because I forgot, and it wasn't because I'm a hardcore anarchist. It's definitely not because I don't care. Although I thoroughly believe it is every citizen's civic duty to vote, I did not feel I was informed enough about the issues to partake in the elections this year.