Longform

Health officials urge voluntary flu vaccine rationing in face of nationwide shortage

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Oct. 7,2004 12:52 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- A top federal health official, lamenting "a very fragile vaccine production system," urged healthy people Wednesday to defer getting their influenza shots so medication will be available for those most at risk. "We really need a long-term solution so we don't end up in this year-to-year situation where we don't have a reliable supply," said Dr. Julie Gerberding, after the supply of vaccine to the United States was abruptly cut in half.

U.S. inspector finds no evidence Saddam made weapons after 1991

By Alyson Brodsy and Ken Guggenheim · Thursday, Oct. 7,2004 12:51 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Contradicting the main argument for a war that has cost more than 1,000 American lives, the top U.S. arms inspector reported Wednesday that he found no evidence that Iraq produced any weapons of mass destruction after 1991. The report also says Saddam Hussein's weapons capability weakened during a dozen years of U.N. sanctions before the U.S. invasion last year. Contrary to prewar statements by President George W. Bush and top administration officials, Saddam did not have chemical and biological stockpiles when the war began and his nuclear capabilities were deteriorating, not advancing, according to the report by Charles Duelfer, head of the Iraq Survey Group.

Panel presents interning advice

By Lindsey Luken · Thursday, Oct. 7,2004 12:48 a.m.

The clock ticked down five minutes a piece for the 10 students presenting information Wednesday on their internship experiences at the School of Fine Arts. The Internship Slam, hosted by the Graphic Design club, provided younger design students the chance to hear tips on everything from portfolio formats to computer skills from upperclassmen. Senior Joseph Traylor, intern at the IU Alumni Association presented samples of his work during his five minutes while providing those in attendance reassuring advice on internships. "Using the computer as a tool is not the answer, It's all about problem solving," Traylor said.

Business Briefs

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Oct. 7,2004 12:33 a.m.

China addresses exchange rate WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Bush administration, facing huge and politically sensitive trade deficits, secured China's pledge Friday to work harder to move its currency toward a flexible exchange rate, which would make U.S. goods more competitive abroad.

On some Web sites, election is just a laugh

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Oct. 7,2004 12:31 a.m.

NEW YORK -- If you're not ready to feverishly debate Iraq or the deficit in this bitterly divisive election year, you can always surf the Web, where politics is frequently nothing but a big joke.

Fwd: Don't believe the hype

By Melanie Sims · Thursday, Oct. 7,2004 12:30 a.m.

If you haven't already gotten the e-mail, word on the street is, "In the year 2007, Congress will once again convene to decide whether or not blacks should retain the right to vote (crazy, but true)." And in other "e-mail news," Tommy Hilfiger told Oprah he doesn't want black folks wearing his brand; Timberland Boot Company is owned by the Ku Klux Klan; and if you look hard enough at an old Snapple Iced Tea label, you'll see a slave ship, slaves and teeny, tiny Klansmen.

Suicide car bomb kills 16 Iraqis at checkpoint

By Alyson Brodsy and Robert H. Reid · Thursday, Oct. 7,2004 12:28 a.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A suicide car bomber plowed into an Iraqi military checkpoint northwest of Baghdad on Wednesday, killing 16 Iraqis and wounding about 30, as U.S. and Iraqi forces sealed off roads south of the capital in a campaign to curb the insurgency before January's elections. There were hopeful signs, meanwhile, that talks may produce a cease-fire agreement with a Shiite militia headed by radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. A negotiator also reported progress in talks to end the military standoff in Fallujah.

Sound bites and pickup lines

By Matt Peyton · Thursday, Oct. 7,2004 12:26 a.m.

After watching a portion of the presidential debate last week and reading much of the commentary surrounding it, I have had an epiphany. Running for president isn't much different than trying to pick up a girl (or a guy, depending on your preference) in junior high. Try to stay with me on this one. Each candidate is trying to make the best possible impression he can to be chosen over the other. It's as if Bush and Kerry are fighting over a woman. Except we, the citizens of the United States, are the woman and both candidates are married. Weird. Anyway, you understand what I'm getting at.

Around The State

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Oct. 7,2004 12:25 a.m.

Columbus council votes down proposed smoking ban COLUMBUS, Ind. -- The City Council rejected a proposed ban on smoking in most public places, surprising the mayor, Fred Armstrong, who said he planned to continue pushing for the measure.

Adviser calls plan to withdraw from Gaza a ploy

By Alyson Brodsy and Karin Laub · Thursday, Oct. 7,2004 12:25 a.m.

JERUSALEM -- The real objective of Ariel Sharon's offer to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank is to freeze Palestinian statehood indefinitely, with U.S. blessing, the prime minister's point man with the Bush administration said in an interview published Wednesday. The Haaretz daily also quoted the adviser, Dov Weisglass, as saying Israel is avoiding negotiations with the Palestinians because it does not want to discuss thorny issues such as the future of Jerusalem and the fate of Palestinian refugees.

Darfurious

By George Lyle IV · Thursday, Oct. 7,2004 12:25 a.m.

I have shoes. Every time I sit around and try to get depressed about situations, I have to force myself to remember the simple fact that I have shoes, and in many colors, too. Blue and brown Air Maxes, grey New Balances, blue old school Pumas and so on. The people in Darfur, Sudan, don't have good shoes. Many of them don't have shoes at all. A good pair of Air Maxes would make their long walks a little easier and might alleviate some of the reason they are walking in the first place.

Umphrey's McGee to perform at benefit concert

By Kathleen Quilligan and Kathleen Quilligen · Thursday, Oct. 7,2004 12:22 a.m.

Standing just inside the Kroger on College Mall Road, graduate student Abby Cooley holds a purple Nalgene bottle covered with stickers that's beginning to fill up with assorted loose change and sets in for a long evening.

It ain't 'Sgt. Pepper,' but what is?

By -Alec Toombs · Thursday, Oct. 7,2004 12 a.m.

It's unlikely that there's ever been a record as eagerly or lengthily anticipated as Brian Wilson's SMiLE, an album almost 40 years in the making. While very much worth the wait, the work itself isn't all it's been cracked up to be.

POP! (without the bubblegum)

By Adam Aasen · Thursday, Oct. 7,2004 12 a.m.

With the billions of dollars being pumped into the music industry every year, it can be tempting for rock bands to alter their style to appeal to the masses. Watching Creed and Evanescence make millions while other bands continue to wait can get to you after awhile. But for The Wrens and The Mendoza Line, two bands who are coming to play the Bluebird this Friday, they've found a way to make pop music without selling out.

In honor of Black History Month, Gladys DeVane will present FROM THE MOUTH OF MY PEOPLE: A JOURNEY FROM SLAVERY on February 17 at 7:00 pm. The one-woman show is a fundraiser for the Bloomington Playwrights Project, and will be performed on the Timothy J. Wiles Mainstage at the BPP, 107 West 9th.

Anime flick disappoints

By Tristan Mathews · Thursday, Oct. 7,2004 12 a.m.

Although surpassing the quality of the original "Ghost in the Shell" would not prove any serious challenge, the movie's sequel "Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence" succeeds where its predecessor failed: creating an animated movie worth watching.

Third time's a charm?

By J.P. Benitez and JP Benitez · Thursday, Oct. 7,2004 12 a.m.

It's certainly been awhile since the last great intrusion of one Mr. Marilyn Manson into the hearts and homes of the average American. The self-glorifying, androgynous Goth rocker at one time was an integral player in the continuing battle to find a name for rock 'n' roll that doesn't reek of corporate buyout. At the very least, he was someone our mothers didn't like.

New Face For Full Frontal

By Robert O'Connor · Thursday, Oct. 7,2004 12 a.m.

Laughter burst from the Indiana Memorial Union's State Room East Friday, where student-run improv comedy troupe, Full Frontal Comedy, performed its fifth show of the year for an overflowing audience.

High-stakes 'Antics' pay off for Interpol

By -Nate Bethea · Thursday, Oct. 7,2004 12 a.m.

Even if it aligns you with Pitchfork Media, it's hard to deny the importance of Interpol's 2002 debut Turn On The Bright Lights. In the wake of the stylized Strokes, a dressed-up, strikingly-unattractive band out of New York City appeared with one of the most fleshed-out and complete albums in years.

Studio Struggles

By Diana Tychsen · Thursday, Oct. 7,2004 12 a.m.

Aside from the occasional opportunity to sleep in, record production is not a good career choice for lazy people. The exceptional producers put their heart and soul into each record that comes out of their studio, and that can be exhausting.

Michael Moore for Mickey D's

By John Barnett · Thursday, Oct. 7,2004 12 a.m.

America is the most overweight nation in the world, and obesity is now the second highest preventable killer of Americans after smoking. We all knew that already, but our memory is refreshed within the opening minute of documentarian Morgan Spurlock's semi-humorous diatribe against fast food.