Longform

I-69 good for IU, Indiana

We support the construction of I-69 over new terrain passing through the west side of Bloomington. We believe that such an investment will pay dividends for a long time to come. Beyond its obvious convenience for IU professors, students, alumni and staff, I-69 offers a major opportunity for southwestern Indiana to reinvigorate its economy. The non-profit interest group Voices for I-69 estimates that the interstate will create 4,415 new jobs and $12 billion in new sales. The new infrastructure will be a powerful incentive for businesses to expand or create new operations in the region. These developments, of course, portend much-needed tax revenue for state and local governments.

Team picks up dramatic victory

The men's tennis team couldn't stop Illinois' 48-match winning streak Saturday, but made amends Sunday by topping No. 44 Northwestern 4-3. Hoosier sophomore Zach Held nailed down the win with a three-set win at No. 5 singles, giving the Hoosiers their second Big Ten victory of the season. No. 39 IU (10-5, 2-3 Big Ten) lost the doubles point, but got victories at No. 1 and 2 singles to grab two early points.

Parking Operations offers new nighttime permit 2 decks please

Students spending late nights at the Main Library and anywhere across campus might have an easier time finding a parking space. Starting this fall, IU Parking Operations will unveil a new "F" permit, allowing IU students and local residents evening access to any non-24-hour "A", "C" or "E" space.

Indiana election turnout sad

Judging from the voter turnout in Indiana's May 7 primary elections, an outside observer might surmise that voters' hands were chopped off after the last elections. Twenty-two percent of voters in Indiana cast ballots.

R.E.M. 'Reveal' new CD

The new REM album came down the pipe Monday, and the challenge of having the review ready in 48 hours was a daunting prospect. It's a little like spending a weekend in New York and then being asked to write a comprehensive travel guide in 400 words. There's too much to take in; you can't possibly unravel the nature of the whole in such a short period. What about the historical context, my personal anecdote about Automatic for the People? (Come on, everybody has one.) Accurate analysis has to be sacrificed for superficial impressions. Nevertheless, I've been soaking in Reveal for the last two days, trying to figure out what ol' Stipey and his two remaining college buddies are getting at this time.

Unearthed skull may be oldest known

In what may be the most startling fossil find in decades, scientists in central Africa say they have unearthed the oldest trace of a pre-human ancestor -- a remarkably intact skull of a previously unknown species that walked upright as far back as 7 million years ago.

'New World Rhapsody'

The Reva Shiner Full-Length Play Award-winning production "New World Rhapsody" packed the house Friday during its run at the Bloomington Playwrights Project theater, 312 S. Washington St. The crew had to add another row of folding chairs just to accommodate the incoming audience. "New World Rhapsody" is a coming-of-age story about a boy who grows up in the exotic Far East and sees his American home as a strange, new land, ripe for exploration. Playwright Adam Kraar admits the story is not autobiographical, but he writes that it was inspired by his experiences of returning to America after spending many years overseas.

Corporations keep America running

I was very intrigued by the column "Why I Hate Corporate America" by Brian Zell (March 19). Certainly, Zell feels strongly about the evils of corporate America, but I wonder if he has ever worked for one, or if he even knows what a corporation is?

Go scuba, get tanked

President speaks to nation

WASHINGTON -- President Bush said Tuesday night that tens of thousands of terrorists still threaten America, like "ticking time bombs, set to go off" and promised to stalk them across the globe. In his first State of the Union address, he pledged a battle of equal vigor to revive the ailing economy. "We will prevail in war, and we will defeat this recession," the commander in chief said, standing before Congress and the public with heroically high approval ratings. Nearly five months after the Sept. 11 attacks that shocked the world, Bush pledged to push the war on terrorism beyond Afghanistan to a dozen countries that are believed to be harboring terrorist camps.

Same-sex partners defend their parental roles

When Mark* was 21, he began volunteering at a homeless shelter and befriended a family of a single mother and three boys. The mother was addicted to prescription drugs and was in danger of losing her home. The boys had been in and out of foster homes most of their lives. Mark saw the trouble these boys were in. They had been emotionally and physically abused. After one particular abusive incident, Mark decided to take on the role as caretaker of the children. "I promised them I would never let anything bad happen again," he said.

Zoning initiatives lure home buyers

In order to decrease the number of rental units in three Bloomington neighborhoods, the City of Bloomington will push forward with a new Homeownership Zones initiative

'Theater for the people'

A farcical romp through a storybook Naples awaits audiences at "Scapino! A Long way off Moliere" this weekend. A comedy of love, "Scapino!" is based on the 1671 Moliere production "Les Fourberies de Scapin." Adapted in 1975 by Frank Dunlop and Jim Dale, "Scapino!" tells the tale of two wealthy young Italian men who have fallen madly in love with women whom their fathers would never allow them to marry. To solve their heartache, the two enlist the aide of the witty servant Scapino.

Campus must welcome all

Omega Delta Phi, a national Latino fraternity is claiming a place in the IU greek community. The new organization provides an excellent opportunity for members of a shared ethnicity to embrace brotherhood. The need for the opportunity, however, may point to a problem on campus. It should lead us to ask: Is this a campus where all are brothers and sisters, regardless of race, ethnicity, beliefs and sexuality? While the IDS welcomes the new fraternity to campus, it is important to recognize the gap between a truly accepting campus and one where people feel most comfortable among people of their own race, sexuality or background.

IU alum steps up in FBI

An IU alumnus has been appointed to a significant position in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as the bureau undertakes an increased effort to fight terrorism. John Pistole, a veteran agent, began last week in his new role as the deputy assistant director for the FBI's counterterrorism division, which has tripled in size since Sept. 11, he said.

Mural decision is in

The mural stays, but a slew of programs to go along with it. In a press conference in the Maple Room of the Indiana Memorial Union this morning, Bloomingotn Chancellor Sharon Brehm announced the controversial mural featuring images of KKK members will remain in Woodburn Hall 100, but professors using the room must have a team of trained specialists visit their classes at the beginning of each semester, or that professor cannot use the room. Another initiative that will begin next fall is the One for Diversity Fund, a fund dedicated to financing the commission and or placement of multicultural artwork around campus.

United Way kicks off 2001 season

A community is facing poverty, homelessness, hunger and unemployment. And the city is Bloomington. United Way launched its kick-off for the 2001-2002 campaign Thursday afternoon, hosting a lunch at the Hoosier Room of Memorial Stadium. Molly El Mouhajir, IU United Way Campaign Coordinator, said she hopes the campaign will expose social problems in Bloomington that are usually seen as urban issues.

No need for a follow-up 'Interview'

Alou shows few signs of rust in eighth exhibition game

MESA, Ariz. -- Now this is what Moises Alou had in mind for spring training. Sidelined for much of the spring with a strained muscle on his left side, Alou played for the first time in more than a week Tuesday. It was only his eighth exhibition game.

Motivational speaker inspires leadership in minority program

Associate professor Gary Sailes leapt to his feet last Tuesday to motivate 54 students who had every reason to succeed but might have needed a little push. "You guys represent a very elite group of individuals here in America," Sailes told the group of freshmen in the room. All were members of IU's Minority Achievers Program.