Longform

Reframing the war

By Alyson Brodsy and Tyler Bond · Sunday, June 13,2004 9:50 p.m.

The United States is in danger. The U.S. faces major security threats from foreign nations. However, these nations are not are typical enemies like Iran, North Korea and Syria; they are "weak states" that are on the verge of failure. According to a report released by a bipartisan commission sponsored by the Center for Global Development, weak states, such as Bolivia, Indonesia, Nigeria and Kenya, are an unacknowledged danger to the United States.

The weight we carry is celebrity

By Alyson Brodsy and JP Benitez · Sunday, June 13,2004 9:48 p.m.

In the wake of Mel's passionate polemic and a day after tomorrow that Al Gore can't wait to arrive, Hollywood is gearing up for yet another controversial picture to spark ticket sales. This year's winner of Cannes Film Festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or, "Fahrenheit 9/11" is being fast-tracked to theaters in order to capitalize on what they've discovered brings in the bacon more effectively than Lindsey Lohan's "profile."

The Other Side

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, June 13,2004 9:41 p.m.

With laws like the proposed helmet bill, we can't help but ask, "What's next?" Is Indiana responsible for our actions, or are we responsible for ourselves? When did government intervention in our lives become justified?

Fire case handed over to independent groups

By Tony Sams · Sunday, June 13,2004 9:37 p.m.

The investigation into a house fire that killed three IU students in May is no longer with the Bloomington Fire Department but is now in the hands of independent investigators and insurance investigators, said Jennifer Lloyd, an attorney at the Bloomington Risk Management Division.

Backing the helmet law

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, June 13,2004 9:35 p.m.

Rep. Peggy Welch, D-Bloomington, is planning to propose a bill for the upcoming Indiana legislative session that would require skateboarders to wear helmets. We support this bill in principle, despite the misgivings of many around us. Much has been said about the libertarian values lost in such a bill allowing the government to require headgear.

Around The Campus

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, June 13,2004 9:30 p.m.

Wylie House Museum to show 19th century toys, clothing exhibit The Wylie House Museum will hold a special exhibit of 19th century children's toys and clothing this summer starting Tuesday. The clothing was loaned to the exhibit by the Elizabeth Sage Historic Costume Collection.

Watch out Olympics, here comes Euro

By Alyson Brodsy and David Resnik · Sunday, June 13,2004 9:30 p.m.

This summer, some of the world's most talented athletes will shine on an international stage in defense of honor and country. They will sweat, bleed and cry for a chance to be crowned champion. And it will all take place thousands of miles from good ol' America, across the big puddle, in Europe. And no, I'm not talking about this year's Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.

IU gets new assistant

By Dan Click · Sunday, June 13,2004 9:26 p.m.

The men's basketball coaching carousel has stopped -- for now. IU men's basketball coach Mike Davis announced Friday the hiring of Kerry Rupp as an assistant coach for the Hoosiers in 2004-2005. Rupp, 50, will be replacing former IU assistant coach Ben McDonald, who resigned May 12.

Authorities search for abducted American

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, June 13,2004 9:26 p.m.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- With the kidnapping of an American and threats to inflict on him the same degrading punishments seen at Iraq's U.S.-run Abu Ghraib prison, suspected al-Qaida terrorists appear to have unleashed a new tactic in their violent drive against Saudi Arabia's rulers. Saudi authorities searched Sunday for Paul M. Johnson, an American who was apparently abducted by militants who also claimed responsibility for gunning down another American in Riyadh the day before.

Advertisement opens up AD search

By Dan Click · Sunday, June 13,2004 9:25 p.m.

The search committee for IU's new athletics director isn't wasting time to find a replacement as an advertisement and Web site were both released Thursday by IU Alumni Association President Ken Beckley, the chairman of the search committee.

Europeans vote in final days of election

By Alyson Brodsy and Angela Doland · Sunday, June 13,2004 9:25 p.m.

PARIS -- From Sweden to Slovakia, Europeans in 19 countries chose from candidates for the EU parliament Sunday, wrapping up the bloc's first election since its historic expansion eastward in May. Six other countries, including Britain, had already cast ballots in the four-day election, seen as a report card for governments at home.

Edwards favored as running mate

By Alyson Brodsy and Ron Fournier · Sunday, June 13,2004 9:24 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- Sen. John Edwards, the smooth-talking populist who emerged from the nominating campaign as John Kerry's chief rival, is favored among registered voters to be the Democratic vice presidential candidate, according to an Associated Press poll. But his name on the ticket does not automatically boost Democratic prospects.

IU makes strong showing at NCAAs

By Rob DeWitte and Rob eWitte · Sunday, June 13,2004 9:23 p.m.

AUSTIN, Texas -- On the strength of four IU athletes, the men's track team finished 19th at the 2004 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships this past weekend at the University of Texas. Junior All-American Aarik Wilson solidified his status as one of the NCAA's top leapers as well as IU's best ever triple jumper. The Fallon, Nev., native began the weekend by finishing third in the long jump with a sizable personal best of 7.97 meters, third all-time at IU.

Permit prices on the rise

By Dan Click · Sunday, June 13,2004 9:21 p.m.

For the first time in three years, the price of parking permits will increase for the 2004-05 academic year, IU Parking Operations announced last week. The largest increase was in 'A' permits, which will increase from $254 to $264. Parking permits for 'C' and 'E' spots both went up by $3. The 'C' permit will now cost $99 and the 'E' will run $81. The only permit unchanged was the 'F', which remains at $39. "About $100,000 will be generated from the price increases," he said.

IU support staff to receive 2.5% pay increase

By Karen Yancey · Sunday, June 13,2004 9:18 p.m.

Agreements approved by both of IU's unions will give support and service employees at least a 2.5 percent pay increase beginning July 1. Workers who make less than $25,000 a year will get an additional $625, which will be distributed as a percentage in each paycheck throughout the year, said IU's union members. The two employee unions at IU, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 832 and the Communications Workers of America Local 4730, approved two-year agreements on employment policies.

Courthouse will stay, judges say

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, June 13,2004 9:16 p.m.

TERRE HAUTE -- Judges cannot afford to move into a new federal courthouse planned for downtown Terre Haute, one of the judges said. Budget constraints have forced the U.S. District Court to lay off two employees, said Chief Judge Larry J. McKinney.

Leaders say arts aren't dumbed down

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, June 13,2004 9:12 p.m.

PITTSBURGH -- Pearl Jam and The Boss at the ballet? Jerry Springer and Palm Pilots at the opera? Participants at the National Performing Arts Convention, the first of its kind, acknowledge that the high arts are changing, but they say barbs from some traditionalists that works are being dumbed down simply don't ring true.

Political songs of Jones enjoyed by audience

By Shauna Steele · Sunday, June 13,2004 9:10 p.m.

Grammy award-winner Rickie Lee Jones' soulful crooning enchanted audience members Thursday night with her politically-driven tunes, playing to more than 500 fans at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. Jones, best-known for her 1979 hit "Chuck E's in Love," and her four band members played music with varying instrumental emphasis that gave audience members a glimpse into the wide range of heartfelt emotions and playfulness she was able to effortlessly convey.

A night in a Southern beauty shop

By Eric Anderson · Sunday, June 13,2004 9:08 p.m.

The many legends of the "Southern woman" fill the annals of most every medium -- from the girls of the WhistleStop Café in "Fried Green Tomatoes" to dark, tragic figures of Tennessee Williams' Blanche DuBois and William Faulkner's Miss Emily, from the vivacious women of "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" to the incarnation of the Southern woman herself, Miss Scarlett O'Hara.

Entertaining 'Button' questions responsibility

By Liv Cole · Sunday, June 13,2004 9:06 p.m.

In Jon Brooks' intelligently written "The Button," now showing on the Bloomington Playwright's Project Timothy J. Wiles stage, the provocative power of a little red button becomes an item of mystery and intrigue in the final mainstage BPP play of the season. The play is very entertaining, but at times Brooks' exuberance to captivate the audience overshadows the play's inherent message, which could have been shown stronger.