Longform

Recruits hoop it up at first practice

Sean May has a knack for dodging questions about where he will play college basketball next season, but early Saturday morning at IU's Midnight Madness, the Bloomington High School North star couldn't escape.

Bombing kills at least 14 in southern Philippines

MANILA, Philippines -- A bomb killed at least 14 people outside a busy department store in the southern Philippines on Sunday, an hour after a man called in a warning in the name of a Muslim extremist group, officials said.

State of the Union draws mixed reviews

President George W. Bush delivered the annual State of the Union address Tuesday night, outlining his plans for the next year and updating the nation on the progress of the continuing war on terrorism. Throughout the address, the President emphasized the justness of the war abroad and progress at home. Bush characterized latent terrorists as "ticking time bombs" and stressed the need for vigilance. He also announced the hard-line stance the United States has adopted toward the housing and support of terrorist cells.

Win with NAFTA

Being a student in Professor Roberto Garcia's D301 International Business class, I have to say that I am shocked at the claim that NAFTA has done nothing but make the rich richer and the poor poorer. Free trade opens many doors that are not there when governments chose to interfere with trade.

Cyclists ready for women's Little 500

After competing in the biathlon, street sprints, qualifications, Individual Time Trials, Miss-N-Out and Team Pursuit, it's time for the women's teams to take to the track for the event that matters -- the women's Little 500. The women's teams jumped onto their bikes for the first time competitively in the fall with the biathlon. Next was the street sprints. The series took a mid-semester break until January. Since then, bikes have been making continuous circles around Bill Armstrong Stadium's track in practice and series events.

Spurrier introduces his style to 'Skins

ASHBURN, Va. -- Steve Spurrier took the field in chilling fog and drizzle Tuesday for his first practice as an NFL coach. The Fun 'N' Gun is definitely not in Florida any more. "Sort of like playing golf in Ireland," said Spurrier, who exchanged his trademark visor for a black baseball cap because of the weather.

Another 'reasonable' solution

For those of you who have read my column with some regularity, I have made no secret of my being from Chicagoland and hoping to someday return there. I like to read the Chicago Tribune online to keep up with what is happening in both Chicago as well as nationally. So you can imagine my surprise Monday morning when I see the big, bold headline on the front page, "CIA gets OK to kill bin Laden."

Bush's plan gives the money back

Former Chief Justice John Marshall once said, "The power to tax involves the power to destroy." There's no doubt taxes are essential to a strong and respectable government. But as Marshall implied, government has a responsibility to handle that power properly.

Attacks force industry-wide entertainment shutdowns

LOS ANGELES -- The Emmys and Latin Grammys canceled their awards ceremonies, amusement parks closed and Hollywood studios locked their gates as Tuesday's terrorist attacks darkened a stunned entertainment industry. All Broadway shows were canceled in New York and box offices at the theaters were closed indefinitely, said Jed Bernstein, president of the League of American Theaters and Producers. Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland and Universal Studios in Southern California were shut down, while most resort hotels -- many sheltering those stranded by the nationwide airline shutdown -- remained open.

Protests turn violent in Argentina over economy

Police and national guardsmen fired tear gas Wednesday at hundreds of jobless protesters trying to blockade highways around the capital. Two people were reported killed and about 60 were arrested.

65 doesn't mean incapable

For the past 60 years, IU staff faced mandatory retirement at age 65. When administrators meet with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission officials Wednesday to reconsider IU's mandatory retirement policy, they should discard this outdated policy entirely. It implies that a person who fills a position adequately at 64 years and 364 days old becomes somehow unfit for the same position the next day. That's simply ridiculous. On the contrary, an older person's experience may make him more qualified for the position than a green, new employee.

Multiple trustees OK

The Indiana House approved House Bill 351, which would add a non-voting faculty representative and increase (from three to four) the number of Monroe County residents who can sit on the IU Board of Trustees. The bill has passed the Senate, but still has to pass a joint conference committee before arriving on Governor Frank O'Bannon's desk.

Buckeyes riding high before Saturday showdown at home

Ohio State Head coach Jim O'Brien wouldn't say that he is surprised to be tied with IU at the top of the Big Ten standings. But going into tomorrow's showdown with the Hoosiers at Value City Arena in Columbus with the conference lead on the line, O'Brien said he is happy with what his team has done so far.

IUSA pushes for Bank One ATMs

The IU Student Association has been working for several months to bring Bank One ATMs back to campus and has proposed several possible locations to the University. IUSA officials said it would be a number of months before students see the machines on campus.

Reform should add education

In 1996, President Clinton passed sweeping changes to the U.S. welfare system. Critics who were outraged by the changes have fallen silent as about 30 percent of the welfare recipients have moved from welfare rolls to a payroll. Now that the welfare system is up for reform, George W. Bush is adding a personal touch -- one that includes a push from welfare to work that shoves people right past the schoolhouse door.

Cowabunga dude!

University will not respond to Knight, Korona tort claims

IU will not respond to two tort claims notices it received in recent months -- one for wrongful death and one for wrongful termination, an IU official said Wednesday.

Habitat House: Built of love

It's snowing. Twenty volunteers bundled up in winter coats and hats are trudging through a muddy lawn, hauling and hammering boards. It's windy. Plywood walls anchored together with nails and sturdy two-by-four boards are being anchored together in what will soon be a house. Early Saturday morning, IU students and Bloomington residents are braving the elements to work on a Habitat for Humanity house.

Independents Rule Race

The 52nd running of the men's Little 500 came and went in the tradition of past years without emphasis on the controversy that led up to the race. Saturday The Corleones won the race with speed, humor, and an almost two-lap lead over the majority of the competition.

Beginning of July means more laws

Smokers in six states will pay more for their habit as of Monday, nudity with "artistic value" will no longer be off-limits to minors in Utah, and teddy bears will have official status as the state toy of Mississippi.