Longform

VOTE(for Kerry)

By Jack M. Silverstein and Jack Silverstein · Thursday, April 29,2004 12:56 a.m.

Lately, I've been bombarded with commercial after commercial concerning the extraordinary pros and cons of both major presidential candidates. Ordinarily, I wouldn't involve myself in these bi-partisan slappy fights, but to be honest I really, really don't like Bush, and as good as Ralph Nader is, I don't see him getting elected. Will John Kerry be the greatest president we've ever had? Probably not. But all surprises aside, I'm sure he will be a way-better president than Bush.

Cat fights over nationalism

By Paul Musgrave · Thursday, April 29,2004 12:52 a.m.

SHANGHAI, China-- In Chinese language class the other day, we were talking about finding a husband for our teacher's cat -- one of those silly exercises that language courses always involve. One of my classmates suggested the teacher's cat could marry his cat. "He's American, handsome and smart," he said. Our teacher, an attractive, young and single graduate student, demurred. "I think my cat is very traditional," she said. "She wants to marry a Chinese cat."

Solidarity against anti-Semitism

Thursday, April 29,2004 12:49 a.m.

As chief diversity officer of Indiana University, I join Rabbi Sue Shifron and others in the community in my outrage over the anti-Jewish defacing of a student's car Monday night. Despite our best efforts to create an environment in which all members of our community are welcomed and respected, we are constantly reminded that some among us still hold hateful and abhorrent views. We must not let these acts deter us from pursuing our vision of a community where excellence, diversity, tolerance and civility stand out. Each of us must take a stand against hate, with our words and deeds. Discuss this incident with those around you. Learn the history of anti-Semitism and respond where you can. Do not let thugs and vandals have the last word. Hate, whether expressed through swastikas or uncivil language, and especially through the vandalism of someone's person or property, must not be allowed to survive in our community. Vandalism is an especially cowardly act, occurring as this incident did just days before the end of the school year, leaving no identifiable person or persons to take responsibility. Indiana University and Bloomington are better than that. We must all work together, through the summer as well as during the academic year, to seek fairness, civility and respect wherever we are and wherever we go.

Around The Arts

Thursday, April 29,2004 12:48 a.m.

Group combines sign language with music The IU School of Speech and Hearing will host "Rathskellar," at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Tickets are available at the Sunrise Box Office, located at 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. or by calling 323-3020.

Gadhafi concludes Europe visit

By Alyson Brodsy and Paul Geitner · Thursday, April 29,2004 12:46 a.m.

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi ended his first trip to the West in 15 years by calling Wednesday for greater European involvement in "the tragedy in Iraq." Gadhafi, once an international pariah over his support for terrorist groups, came to Brussels to discuss business deals and offer an olive branch to European governments that once shunned him. But a little of the old Gadhafi emerged when he threatened Tuesday to return to the "days of explosive belts" if provoked by Western "evil."

Hoochie gear,white Nikes

By Patrice Worthy and Patricia Worthy · Thursday, April 29,2004 12:45 a.m.

School is almost out and everyone is anticipating the summer weather. I, for one, can't wait. I love hot weather, though I do not like what comes with the hot weather, like mosquitoes and having to take a shower three times a day. I appreciate summer fashion, or the lack thereof.

Drop the drop fee

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, April 29,2004 12:44 a.m.

Once again, IU drops another fee on us, and doesn't explain why. Dropping and adding a different section of the same class used to cost only $22, but next fall students may be languishing in miserably inappropriate classes because they can't afford the new $44 double fee -- one $22 fee for the drop and one $22 fee for the add. So poverty really does stunt education. We at the Indiana Daily Student would like to clarify the rumors surrounding this fee. Some students have misinterpreted the $44, making it sound worse than it is.

Disability group holds film festival

By Jennifer Gunnels · Thursday, April 29,2004 12:43 a.m.

The City of Bloomington's Council for Community Accessibility is hosting the Accessibility Awareness Film Festival at 4 p.m. today in the Monroe County Public Library Auditorium, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave. The festival will feature two films -- "Butterflies Are Free" and "Wait Until Dark." The festival is free and open to the public and viewers can come to watch one or both films.

Around The Region

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, April 29,2004 12:41 a.m.

Ivy Tech holds political public forum Ivy Tech-Bloomington will hold the O'Bannon Institute for a day-long free public forum featuring leading experts in politics, education and non-profit organizations. Former Indiana First Lady Judy O'Bannon will be the keynote speaker. The event will take place at Ivy Tech State College-Bloomington, 200 Daniels Way, and will feature a free lunch.

Farmers' Market opens for season

By Hannah Schroder · Thursday, April 29,2004 12:39 a.m.

Along with warm weather, thunderstorms and budding trees, spring means the return of the Bloomington Community Farmers' Market, scheduled to open for the season at 7 a.m. until noon, Saturday. Rain or shine, the Showers Common area at Eighth and Morton streets will offer fresh, locally-grown produce for shoppers, as well as music, entertainment and the chance to be part of a diverse gathering of people.

Convicted woman set for release

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, April 29,2004 12:38 a.m.

LEBANON, Ind. -- A woman who gained national attention last year for impersonating a long-missing girl was expected to walk out of jail early Thursday, less than four weeks after she pleaded guilty in the hoax. Donna Walker, of Topeka, Kan., was to be released from the Boone County Jail shortly after midnight after receiving credit for time already served and for good behavior, said Jeff Edens, the county's chief deputy prosecutor.

Hoosier net most victories since 1997

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, April 29,2004 12:30 a.m.

The Hoosier softball team traveled to Kentucky Wednesday looking to improve their record and inch them closer to the Big Ten Tournament. The Hoosiers (29-28, 4-10 Big Ten) were successful in the first game, handing the Wildcats a 3-1 loss. Kentucky (25-28-1) regrouped in the second game and downed IU, 4-2.

Hoosiers open tourney with Hawkeyes

By Dan Click · Thursday, April 29,2004 12:30 a.m.

The No. 61 Hoosiers (11-11, 5-5 Big Ten) hope their second go-around against Iowa will be as kind as the first with the start of the Big Ten men's tennis tournament. IU opens tournament play as the No. 6 seed and will face off against the No. 11 seed Hawkeyes (3-16, 0-10 Big Ten) at 1 p.m. today in East Lansing, Mich., at the Michigan State Outdoor Courts.

Violence flares in southern Thailand

By Alyson Brodsy and Alisa Tang · Thursday, April 29,2004 12:29 a.m.

PATTANI, Thailand -- A heap of bodies in a bullet-scarred mosque attested to a sharp and sudden upsurge of separatist violence Wednesday in Thailand's Muslim south. While the prime minister said the issues were strictly local, some tied the clashes to the country's support for the war in Iraq. Police said they shot and killed 107 Islamic fighters -- including 32 inside the mosque -- after repelling near simultaneous attacks by hundreds of militants.

Relearning your ABCs

By Dan Cohen and Daniel Cohen · Thursday, April 29,2004 12:29 a.m.

You know of the Lakers, the Cowboys and the New York Yankees, but I'd like to tell you about another team, a bunch of misfits and nerds who would forever change the landscape of sports. Trailing by four runs entering the last half-inning, the Sweaty ABC's softball team needed at least a tie to make the playoffs. Three runs or less and its season would come crashing down. What happened?

"I'M WITH THE BAND"

By Joanna Borns · Thursday, April 29,2004 12 a.m.

Freshman Evanne Kelley is a devoted fan of the Lafayette-based ska band The Malcontents. She tries to attend every show, especially when the band hits Bloomington. And if the 19-year-old is too young to actually get inside the bar to hear them play, she faithfully waits outside in support.

BUILDING A BAND

By Katie Schoenbaechler and Katie Shoenbaechler · Thursday, April 29,2004 12 a.m.

Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. It sounds easy enough -- grab some equipment and a few friends and you have yourself a band. Before you know it you'll have girls lined up outside your room and money and drugs at your finger tips. Not so fast.

England's finest export since Keira Knightly

By Phil Kijak · Thursday, April 29,2004 12 a.m.

It's almost impossible to describe the absolute genius of the BBC's "The Office." A television comedy which strives to be real and subtle, relying on characters rather than punch lines, the show is truly groundbreaking.

20 flicks for summer 2004

By -Alec Toombs · Thursday, April 29,2004 12 a.m.

Summer is almost here, and with it comes the prototypical onslaught of big-budgeted studio tripe. Below are flicks which both embrace and debunk the characteristics of summer moviegoing, which may well turn out to be worth your hard-earned green. They're arranged chronologically and categorically for your viewing pleasure.

LAYIN' DOWN THE BEAT

By Mike Ley · Thursday, April 29,2004 12 a.m.

The past few years have seen the producer rise to the forefront of hip-hop. They're becoming as famous as the MCs they're backing up, putting a whole new face on the genre.