Longform

An Awakening

They were a little bit like comets that day in September, flights 11, 77, 93 and 175, as they sailed through the sky, finally exploding on impact with two of the most provocative symbols of American culture. And when they hit, fiery explosions left blazing wreckage, smoke, ash and destruction. The images of suffering left by these surprise attacks from the sky were instantaneously burned into Americans' brains forever.

Former Honors College dean accepts position in Washington, DC

When Julia Bondanella was asked to apply for the position of assistant chairman for programs at the National Endowment of Humanities in Washington, D.C., she had a lot to think about.

A challenge to gay Christians

Dr." Laura Schlessinger's television show has ceased production, to the jubilation of many gay people. I'm not going to go into the free speech issues involved in the "Stop Dr. Laura" campaign, nor the misogyny in so many gay men's hostility to her.

Don't forget the earplugs

This past Sunday, I made my second trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The first time was way back in fourth grade for a field trip to the time trials, and the only thing I can remember as a 10-year-old was that it was loud, and I couldn't get the cars to go slow enough so I could catch them on my little kiddy camera.

'American Idol' manufactured music

Fox has unleashed the latest and worst consumer-driven concoction of daydreams and embarrassment possible and crammed it into spotlights and tight jeans with "American Idol." Thousands of Britney and Justin wannabes from around the nation are whittled down to one, based purely on sex appeal, cool-factor and, oh yeah, talent. The winner gets a recording contract and millions of pre-acquired fans.

Rikishi returns on Raw is War

'Menace' redeems itself on disc

Beavis, Britney & Backstreet

It was a good day in the constant battle to torment a 16-year-old brother: I caught him watching "TRL." Quickly he changed the channel, ashamed to be absorbing the "whoosh" being screamed from the adolescent, brace-faced girls in the crowd. Yes! I finally caught him watching Britney & 'NSYNC, the pop stars that he claims to loathe as he bumps the Trick Daddy from his Pathfinder. "TRL," the show at the forefront of MTV's music dynasty, has captivated nearly every kid from the little blonde Backstreet fanatic to the middle school Abercrombie-wearing kids who think Puffy and Eminem are gods. With its way-cool host Carson Daly, "TRL" is just one of MTV's successful spots that have catapulted it to the top of the ratings for the coveted teenage viewing market. All this before the cable network turns the big 2-0.

Team dominates IUPUI 1-0

Sophomore forward Lucas Christian scored 11 minutes into the game and the men's soccer team dominated the match Friday in its spring season opener, a 1-0 victory against IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis. The Hoosiers, playing their first of six games this spring, created scoring opportunities early against the Jaguars but failed to convert most of them. The same problem plagued IU last season against IUPUI, when the Hoosiers tallied 25 shots but needed two goals in the final five minutes to win 2-0. Sophomore Pat Noonan, who created many of IU's chances, called the team's effort "decent."

Paying his dues

Imagine this: The setting is the difficult Bethpage Black golf course during the U.S. Open. In the first round of play, a player posts six birdies -- more than any other player in the field. His good play continues through the second round, he makes the cut, and this player finds himself paired with Greg "The Shark" Norman to begin Saturday's round. The player continues to shoot well, and he finishes tied with "The Shark" at the end of the day. By the end of the 72nd hole on Sunday, the player finishes ahead of such notable players as Norman, John Daly -- a PGA champion, Jesper Parnevik and tied with Jose-Maria Olazabal -- a two-time Masters champ

Jeffries awaits draft fate

He has been a high school McDonald's All-American, the Big Ten Most Valuable Player and a key member of a Final Four team. On Wednesday, Jared Jeffries will add first-round draft pick to his list of accolades at the NBA Draft in New York City. The former IU star will likely be a top-10 selection, according to draft analysts for espn.com and cnnsi.com.

Bishops question proposed rules

The government calls it part of the war on terror. A critic says it's more like the Spanish Inquisition.

Group exercise available to all

When some people think of exercise classes, they might envision of a room filled with brightly colored spandex and people constantly stepping on and off a plastic step.

Associated Press reports that IU offers coaching job to Davis

Indiana has offered interim coach Mike Davis the permanent position as basketball coach, a source close to the university said Wednesday. Davis and university representatives were negotiating details of his contract Wednesday, said the source, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Drug law leaves some without aid

Enforcement of a 1998 amendment to the Higher Education Act restricting students with drug convictions from receiving federal financial aid is continuing to provoke controversy. Some critics say the law is misapplied, while others say it's inherently flawed and should be repealed. The original amendment, sponsored by Rep. Mark Souder, from Indiana's 4th District, said, "A student who has been convicted of any offense ... involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance shall not be eligible to receive any grant, loan or work assistance." This is for a period ranging from one year for the first offense to indefinitely for the third offense.

Congressional panel on terrorist attacks overwhelmed by information

WASHINGTON -- Faced with tens of thousands of documents and more coming in every day, plus interviews with a key FBI whistleblower and other officials, leaders of a congressional inquiry into the Sept. 11 attacks say they are dealing with much more information than they anticipated.

Wilco makes potent statement

Davis' words stir controversy

When Christmas break began, the Hoosiers sat at 6-2 and were coming off of two consecutive wins in their first two home games of the season. IU was headed to Miami to take on the Hurricanes and escape the cold of the Midwest. Things change, and they did for the Hoosiers over the last three weeks. What IU men's basketball coach Mike Davis was doing in the courtroom began to receive more attention than wins and losses.

Get ready to go... in case there's SNOW

Berry's talk opens eyes

Four months after Sept. 11, Dr. Mary Frances Berry feels "these are the times that try men's souls." Thirty-four years after the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., she says, America is still asking important questions in the ongoing struggle for civil rights. Berry, the controversial chair of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, was the keynote speaker for the campus-wide celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day yesterday in Whittenberger Auditorium in the Indiana Memorial Union.