Longform

Muzzling columnists inappropriate

Somehow I missed the moment in history when the editors of the IDS managed to repeal the First Amendment. I'm glad the repeal finally went through, though; I was sick and tired of reading opinions about nasty, upsetting things like race relations. Really, this decision to order campus newspaper opinion columnists not to write opinions about an important campus issue is about as unjournalistic and ridiculous as anything I've seen in a 20-year newspaper career. When I attended IU, the IDS was often called the Indiana Daily Stupid. The current crop of editors has fully lived up to that nickname.

Fans mourn Lennon anniversary

NEW YORK -- More than two decades after John Lennon was gunned down by a deranged fan, devoted fans of the ex-Beatle gathered Saturday to mourn on the anniversary of his death. Hundreds of people surrounded the Imagine mosaic in Strawberry Fields, an area of Central Park dedicated to Lennon after he was shot in 1980 by Mark David Chapman in front of the nearby Dakota, the luxury apartment building where he lived. They sang Beatles tunes, bobbed their heads to the beat of a band, burned candles and remembered the singer who meant so much to them. "It's a weird thing. It's been your whole life, the Beatles," said Larry Martin, a professional guitarist. "I had older brothers, so from the time I was three or four my earliest memories are of the Beatles." Martin said his decision to attend this year was influenced by the death of George Harrison, who succumbed to lung cancer Nov. 29.

Nationally ranked team loses to Michigan opponents

The women's soccer team went into the weekend nationally ranked for the first time in more than two seasons. After this weekend, the Hoosiers are sure to relegate their No. 23 ranking after losses to the Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans.

Junior football player arrested

An IU football player has been charged with raping a 21-year old female he met at a Bloomington sports bar early Sunday. A plea of not guilty was entered for Clarence Young, 20, at his initial hearing Tuesday. Young faces a charge of class B felony rape, punishable by up to 20 years in jail. According to a jail spokesman, Young was released Monday evening for $500 cash bail on a $20,000 assurity bond. Young's initial hearing has been set for August, said Monroe County Prosecutor Carl Salzmann. The victim was at a bar with friends when she met Young, but she doesn't remember how she ended up at Young's apartment complex, according to police reports. "She remembers being dragged up the sidewalk at Jackson Heights," Salzmann said.

Crushing the Cardinals

Junior forward Jeff Newton only had four points Saturday against Ball State. He also had seven rebounds. More importantly, Newton helped the Hoosiers take control of the frontcourt in their 74-61 win at Assembly Hall. With 9:32 left in the first half, Newton blocked the shot of Ball State junior forward Theron Smith. On the Cardinals' next possession, senior guard Patrick Jackson was about to go for a layup on a fast break before he saw Newton fill the lane. Watching Newton the whole way, Jackson had to settle for a 15-foot jump shot that he missed. The sequence set the tone for the rest of the game, with the Cardinals having to rely on jump shooting to keep them close. The Hoosiers (6-2) finished with 40 points in the paint. Ball State (5-2) had just 12. Along with sophomore forward Jared Jeffries and sophomore center George Leach, Newton and IU dominated the lane on both sides of the floor.

Knight should learn from other generals

Dear Mr. Knight, Well, you're back. Hi. It seems only last year that you were fired for repeated physical violations and ethical misconduct.

New York devastation makes lasting impact on students

NEW YORK -- Last weekend, a group of 19 members of the IU Campus Crusade for Christ went to New York. Traveling more than 30 hours, round trip, in a 15-passenger van and two cars, the group joined the many volunteers to do what it could to help the city devastated by terrorists. The group decided to go less than 24 hours before it left.

Music Landing:

Jordan River Forum

It was Dec. 5, 1998. Along with seven other members of the IU Crabb Band, I was on my way to Clemson -- driving up and over the Blue Ridge Parkway around 5 a.m. We had driven through the night from Bloomington to support Coach Yeagley and our varsity team at what was touted to be the championship match of the season. The 20-2-0 Hoosiers faced off against a strong 22-1-0 Clemson squad in the quarterfinals, thrilling all of us (tired as we were) with a 2-1 victory over the Tigers.

Strangers with Candy, take two

Some days I don't notice that I am not just like the rest of you. I drag myself out of bed. I go to class. I get bored and doodle or nod off. Other times, my outsider status slaps me in the face multiple times in one day.

Student killed in collision

Last Friday, Helen Walker drove 20 miles from her hometown of Sugar Land, Texas, to Houston to spend the evening reminiscing with friends and watching movies. The IU senior had been home for a week. Fresh from a successful stint as stage manager for the Bloomington community production of "A Chorus Line," Walker was doubtlessly ready for a little relaxation. Shortly after 1 a.m., she got back in her Ford Explorer and prepared to make the half-hour trek back to Sugar Land. She never made it home.

Never trust talking giraffes

The finer things

I worry about the state of IU. I am about to leave Bloomington for St. Louis University Law School, and I can only hope that IU doesn't fall to the political extremism I have seen pouring out of the left for the past three years. I believe that most of my generation is in dire need for a swift kick because many lack any sense of coherent thought whatsoever.

Team sponsors invitational for 3 opponents

After a tie and two overtime losses to Michigan earlier this season, revenge is on the mind of the water polo team as it plays host to a four-team field at the Indiana Invitational at Councilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center this weekend. Michigan State is first on IU's agenda at 1 p.m Saturday, followed by a date with No. 18 Massachusetts at 7:30 p.m. In the final match of the invitational, the No. 17 Hoosiers (13-7-1) take on No. 13 Michigan (14-9-1) at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Student found dead Saturday

'Rent' captivates in IU Auditorium season opener

Sitting and listening to the original cast recording of "Rent," I'm reminded of the reason why it never seems to get old. With a cast comprised entirely of young, passionate individuals, the whole play shines with an energy and power that keeps it fresh no matter how many times it plays.

This Weekend's Calendar events

'High Heat 2003' a home run

Kids see magic in 'Potter'

LONDON -- Director Chris Columbus got rave reviews from the kids who saw "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," which is a change from the reaction he's gotten in the past from adult film critics. "The critics have never been kind to me," said Columbus, whose past films include "Adventures in Babysitting" and "Bicentennial Man," as well as more successful movies like "Home Alone." But "this film feels different," he said. "I do know that I love the picture, and that's really important -- though in the end, who knows?" After attending the premiere in London on Sunday, 12-year-old Alex Roberts wrote in Monday's Guardian newspaper, "I don't think I'll watch it nine times, but it will certainly be one of my favorite films."

Reaching dreams through charity

For 36 hours straight this weekend, more than 1,000 students will be dancing for and helping Riley Hospital for Children. From 8 p.m. tonight to 8 a.m. Sunday, the 11th Annual IU Dance Marathon will be held in the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation building.