Longform

Author compares Pryor's humor to Greek drama

The style of humor offered by legendary comedian Richard Pryor can be traced back to the ancient Greek traditions of comedy and tragedy, Pulitzer Prize-winning author James Alan McPherson said during a lecture at IU last Thursday. McPherson, a University of Iowa English professor who wrote Hue and Cry, Crabcakes and other collections of fiction, said Pryor did something few comics have done before him or since.

'Blast' earns professor Emmy

When Professor of Theatre and Drama George Pinney went to bed Saturday night, he was almost sure he had won an Emmy. The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences had nominated Pinney and fellow choreographers Jon Vanderkolff and Jim Moore for an Emmy in Outstanding Choreography for "Blast!," the brass, percussion and dancing extravaganza that has its roots in Bloomington and has gone to London, Broadway and now the small screen, courtesy of PBS.

Charged Particles serves up a summer treat

Nothing spells summer quite like a setting sun, a warm breeze, cool jazz and neo-primitivist art.

The Living End

Mixing music with morals

'Single Sky' plan causes strike

An air traffic controllers' strike over a plan to unify Europe's disjointed skies crippled service Wednesday, grounding flights and stranding passengers throughout much of the continent.

Penn State series bittersweet

Hoosier players and coaches stood on the first step of their dugout to watch a possible comeback win from the baseball team. It was the bottom of the seventh inning of the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, and IU was trailing Penn State 3-2. The Hoosiers got what they wished for. IU loaded the bases on a single, an error and a hit batter. With no outs, sophomore third baseman Vasili Spanos entered the batters' box and drilled a fastball 370 feet for a game-winning grand slam.

Shevardnadze says Georgia and United States may launch joint action against terrorists

TBILISI, Georgia - Georgia's president said Monday his country would consider launching a joint security operation with the United States to uproot terrorists hiding in a gorge on the border with Russia's breakaway republic of Chechnya. "As for the possibility of a future joint action with the U.S. special forces in the Pankisi Gorge, we haven't yet had systematic discussions on that," Eduard Shevardnadze told reporters. "But, if it becomes necessary, we have been and remain ready for dialogue." The pressure on Georgia to deal with crime and instability linked to the gorge increased last week when U.S. charge d'affaires Philip Remler told a Georgian newspaper that several dozen terrorists from Afghanistan are operating in the region.

Washington, D.C.: In the wake of terror

Terrorized by the tragic crash of American Airlines flight 77, the nation's capital has stabilized, but things have changed. IU senior Brian Wlazlo arrived in Washington, D.C. a week and a half before the Pentagon was attacked. By Sept. 11, he was still getting used to life as an intern on Capitol Hill. "After the attack, what I noticed most was that the (Reagan) National airport was dead. Seeing an airport that is usually busy do a one-eighty and suddenly go silent is surreal."

IUPD Blotter

The IUPD reported the following :

Nobody should see 'Somebody'

"Joe Somebody" could've been something. But a great plot idea is wasted on a clean family flick, one only a child could enjoy.

Actress Ruby Dee will offer insights on acting and activism

As a young girl growing up in Harlem, those around Ruby Dee already sensed that the vibrant youth had something very special. Family, teachers and friends encouraged Dee's ways of expressing herself and her lively imagination. "They recognized I had a flair for expression -- a creative spark," Dee said.

Eigenmann choice sound

After 30 years of independence and three attempts to merge, members of the Eigenmann Residents Association voted to join Residence Halls Association last week. The move will unify residence hall government across campus and improve services to students at Eigenmann Hall and at the 10 other dorms. The merger of RHA and ERA gives dorm government on campus a single, stronger voice.

Days after Arab summit, Mideast violence escalates

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- Saying Israel is in a war for survival, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon vowed to "smash" Palestinian militants in an uncompromising offensive, as he addressed a nation rattled by five suicide bombings in five days, including two attacks Sunday that killed 14 Israelis. In a sign that Israel's "Operation Protective Wall" was expanding, dozens of Israeli tanks entered the West Bank town of Qalqiliya late Sunday, Palestinian witnesses said. Armored vehicles also amassed near biblical Bethlehem.

Series event scheduled for Saturday

Sigma Alpha Epsilon junior Dan Burns made his intentions clear for this weekend's Miss-N-Out just moments after losing to Phi Delta Theta senior Josh Beatty in Wednesday's individual time trials.

Taxes not the only topic on state table

INDIANAPOLIS -- As the 2002 session of the Indiana General Assembly reaches its midpoint this week, tax restructuring and the state's budget deficit aren't the only things still on the table. Pledge bill loses momentum Other issues and legislative proposals are still alive, at least in some form. Bills in the House and Senate to mandate that schools have a U.S. flag in every classroom and have teachers lead the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence are not moving anymore.

Arnold picks bad time to 'be back'

Raise the gasoline tax

There is a proposal in the Indiana General Assembly to raise the gasoline tax by 10 cents over the next three years. The tax, when fully implemented, will generate $330 million per year. The money from this tax will go to build new roads and strengthen Indiana's existing infrastructure. The gasoline tax should be raised, not only to finance road repair and construction and reduce the budget deficit, but also to reduce Indiana's dependency on gasoline. Indiana's infrastructure is looking at a dismal future, because in 2003, the Crossroads program, bonds that provides the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) with $200 million per year, is going to expire.

Bush family 'talking heads'

Who's the television president? Bill Clinton wins that one hands down, right? Only if you ignored the 2000 push to market George W. Bush as the low-acid orange juice alternative. Tastes good, and won't make you queasy in the morning. But ever since the ceiling caved in on the new economy ... or is it that the floor fell out from underneath? Whatever.

Greeks get down and dirty for philanthropy

Dunn Meadow was filled with ketchup, dish detergent and maple syrup Sunday as teams defended their flags in Alpha Phi's ninth-annual Capture the Flag philanthropy event. The philanthropy raised nearly $500 for the Alpha Phi Foundation, which funds research and education for heart disease, said Alpha Phi philanthropy chairwoman Katie Zimmerman, a junior. Teams from 10 greek houses braved the cold to participate, each bringing food to defend their respective flags. Syrups, dish detergent and ketchup sprayed everywhere as teams hunted flags.