Longform

New student group focuses on unity

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Sept. 18,2002 1:49 a.m.

In a powerful demonstration of symbolism, Vice President of Academic Support and Diversity Charlie Nelms pulled out a rope and began to tie it around his waist. "When those miners in Pennsylvania were trapped, they decided they were all going to live, or they were all going to die," Nelms said as he bound himself and some students to the rope. "We have to commit ourselves to each other's success. That's the pact I am asking you to sign."

Hoosiers respond to new coach with wins

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Sept. 18,2002 1:43 a.m.

Sometimes change and adversity can tear a team apart. For this year's IU women's soccer team, just the opposite has happened. After a disappointing season last year, Athletics Director Michael McNeely brought in a new coaching staff and the Hoosier women entered the 2002 preseason not knowing what to expect. "I feel like (the transition) has brought us a lot closer. We knew we had to work as a team to get better," sophomore midfielder Kim Grodek said. "We've had to work a lot harder this year."

California combo

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Sept. 18,2002 1:41 a.m.

These days, the song "I Wish They All Could Be California Girls" has probably taken on a whole new meaning for field hockey coach Amy Robertson. Robertson said she has been happy with her team's overall play of late and has seen two California bred freshman, back Morgan Albini and midfielder Lesley Wiler make significant contributions to the squad. "The great thing for them is they're getting more experience than most freshmen," Robertson said. "They're two players that will greatly influence our future success."

Columnists unite

By -Val Tsoutsouris and Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Sept. 18,2002 1:39 a.m.

Some people may complain that sports get boring when they see the Lakers, Yankees or Red Wings play for the championship every year. Change is good after all. Often times, these people mean no ill will; they just want to see somebody different. Often times, they do. ("Shaq travels or commits a foul every time he gets the ball." To which I say, "Yeah, yeah, yeah.") If we are willing to address change in the outcome of competition, then we sports columnists need to change the impression of the way we live, breathe and interpret sports.

After season ending injury, Mack is back

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Sept. 18,2002 1:37 a.m.

Last season, the men's soccer team ended their season one game away from the NCAA championships playing without one of their stars. Now, senior Ryan Mack is back, and wants to help lead the Hoosiers back to the title game. Mack's season ended prematurely last year due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, leaving a hole in the midfield. Mack's return could complete the puzzle for the Hoosiers to return to championship glory from 1998 and 1999 in Mack's freshman and sophomore years. Already this season, following the Hoosier's defeat of Hartwick and Air Force in the Butler Classic last weekend, Mack was named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week.

DiNardo ready for next game

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Sept. 18,2002 1:36 a.m.

After reviewing game tape from the weekend, coach Gerry DiNardo said in his weekly press conference he was happy with the better play from his team. He said he was pleased the team was able to do the things well that they had emphasized in practice this week, including stronger effort from the offensive line.

Back to school

By Alyson Brodsy and Sonja Kuhnau · Wednesday, Sept. 18,2002 1:19 a.m.

It's 12:30 p.m. and Jeff Cannon walks out the doors of Ernie Pyle Hall into the bright sunshine. He is finished with class for the day, but he doesn't turn toward the Union to grab a burger and discuss last night's parties with his classmates. Nor does he head back to the dorms to add to an MP3 collection and watch reruns of the "Real World." Instead, he heads to a car just outside the Journalism School where Cannon's wife, Angie, and two daughters, 3-year-old Emma and 8-month-old Abby, wait to greet him after a day at school.

IU playwrights seek Masters

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Sept. 18,2002 1:10 a.m.

Within the next couple of months, two IU Master of Fine Arts playwright students will have their original works performed to the benefit of the Bloomington community. Jonathan Yukich, in his second year of the MFA program, has written and will also direct his work entitled "The Mime Crime." The play tells the story of a mime who commits a murder in broad daylight.

Spanish film festival seeks respect

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Sept. 18,2002 1:10 a.m.

MADRID -- The Spanish-speaking world's biggest film festival, San Sebastian, opens Thursday, still struggling for respect on its 50th birthday. As usual, there's a smattering of stars (Francis Ford Coppola gets a lifetime achievement award; John Malkovich presents his first movie as director) and a full slate of movies -- 233 -- but no major world premiere. San Sebastian's Golden Shell -- to be awarded Sept. 28 -- lacks the glamour associated with the Palme d'Or (Cannes), Golden Bear (Berlin) and Golden Lion (Venice), not to mention Hollywood's Academy Awards.

Poker and revenge

By Alyson Brodsy and Rory Starks · Wednesday, Sept. 18,2002 1 a.m.

Hopefully the upcoming weapons inspection in Iraq will show us that Iraq has absolutely nothing. Something tells me that Saddam Hussein has been carrying out a four-year bluff with the whole world. I don't think he's been trying to fool us, I just think he doesn't have anything worth fighting a war over, and he doesn't want us to know that.

This theory counts too

By Alyson Brodsy and Cherry Blattert · Wednesday, Sept. 18,2002 12:59 a.m.

The Ohio State Board of Education will decide later this year whether or not they will continue teaching Darwinian theory of evolution as the only explanation for the origin of life. Those pushing for reform within science curriculum are hoping that teachers will highlight the controversy surrounding Darwinism, perhaps leading to discussion of the other theories.

It's okay to miss your mommy

By Alyson Brodsy and Joe Grace · Wednesday, Sept. 18,2002 12:57 a.m.

I may be 21, but I can still miss my mommy. And I'm sure that there are many other college students here who have also felt the pinch of homesickness during these first few weeks of school. Joe Freshman is sitting in class attempting to figure out what human beings did wrong to deserve Finite Math, when suddenly he'll realize that he now has to do his own laundry and that he doesn't know the difference between detergent and anthrax.

WTC survivor trivializing Sept. 11

By Jessica Halverson and Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Sept. 18,2002 12:56 a.m.

World Trade Center survivor Edward Fine is charging $911 for a two-hour interview, the New York Post reported last week. He said the sum is no coincidence. Hard to believe? So far, 12 media organizations have paid.

Iraq: Inspectors will see truth

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Sept. 18,2002 12:55 a.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq said Tuesday that returning U.N. weapons inspectors could learn the truth about the country's alleged weapons of mass destruction "within a reasonable time," but claimed the United States still might find a new reason to attack. It was the country's first public comment after bowing to Arab and world pressure and agreeing to allow the unconditional return of inspectors following a nearly four-year absence. Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz said Iraq had balked because it was not sure if U.S. and British demands were "a genuine concern or a pretext."

Fuel tanker with dynamite seized

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Sept. 18,2002 12:54 a.m.

KABUL, Afghanistan -- A fuel tanker seized over the weekend with sticks of dynamite attached to it was headed to Bagram Air Base, the headquarters of the U.S. military in Afghanistan, a peacekeeping spokesman said Tuesday. The truck was filled with aviation fuel when it was stopped Saturday by Afghan soldiers and international peacekeepers at a checkpoint in southern Kabul, said Squadron Leader Terry Hay, a spokesman for the multinational force. Two men in the truck were arrested, Hay said.

West Nile outbreak continues to spread

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Sept. 18,2002 12:53 a.m.

CHICAGO -- Bob Meisenheimer liked to sit in his back yard with friends on sultry summer nights, wearing a T-shirt and trying to solve the world's problems. The one that killed him -- West Nile virus -- has authorities scrambling for answers. The mosquito-borne illness has hit Illinois harder than any other state this summer, with 399 cases so far, including 21 deaths. That is far worse than even hot, humid and swampy Louisiana, which has had 11 deaths.

Tampa lawyer beats Reno in tight race

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Sept. 18,2002 12:52 a.m.

MIAMI -- Florida finally sorted out the mess Tuesday from last week's bungled election as final vote counts showed Bill McBride narrowly defeating Janet Reno for the Democratic nomination for governor. The former Clinton administration attorney general conceded the nomination, saying she told McBride "he was going to be a great governor." McBride, a Tampa lawyer and first-time candidate, won by about 4,800 votes out of more than 1.3 million cast, according to the still-unofficial figures. He will face Republican Gov. Jeb Bush in November.

Man linked to dead reporter

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Sept. 18,2002 12:48 a.m.

KARACHI, Pakistan -- An al Qaeda militant arrested with alleged Sept. 11 organizer Ramzi Binalshibh has been identified as one of the killers of Wall Street Journal correspondent Daniel Pearl, a senior police official said Tuesday. The identification was made by a Pakistani held but not charged in the kidnap-slaying of the newspaper's South Asian correspondent, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Around the region

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Sept. 18,2002 12:46 a.m.

Regional news

Abortion-rights group may challenge ruling

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Sept. 18,2002 12:44 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- An abortion-rights group is considering challenging an appeals court ruling that Indiana's law requiring women to get in-person counseling before an abortion is constitutional. Betty Cockrum, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Indiana, said the group is reviewing the ruling to decide whether to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. "As we've said all along, those waiting periods are very burdensome," Cockrum said Tuesday. "My greatest emphasis is how difficult an abortion is for any woman who is faced with it. It is not a frivolous undertaking on any woman's part, and to the extent that you add to that burden, it's a problem."