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Change: It’s trash

I fear that Kristi Lafree’s being a John McCain supporter might sway readers to believe she is playing bias or complaining because there’s nothing else to do now that McCain has lost. But I’d have to say that, as an Independent, I felt the same way. Sky-blue fliers, stickers and pamphlets. These are all great ways to educate voters on candidates, but that’s not what happened. The students and organizations who were distributing and accepting literature destroyed the campus. Everywhere I walked, “Change We Can Believe In” trash covered streets, sidewalks, classrooms, University buildings and virtually anything you can think of.

The day I voted

Last Tuesday will be recorded in our children’s history books as a day America was changed forever. I will be able to give my own children a firsthand account of Nov. 4, 2008, the way I remember it: The day I voted in a presidential election for the very first time and experienced a sensation where I felt powerful, important and American. They say every vote counts, and they weren’t kidding. Indiana was one stubborn state. Barack Obama had already been announced president-elect, yet Hoosiers still didn’t know which color they should be shaded. It’s a good thing we chose Obama. Indiana looks better in blue.

Change: It’s trash

I fear that Kristi Lafree’s being a John McCain supporter might sway readers to believe she is playing bias or complaining because there’s nothing else to do now that McCain has lost. But I’d have to say that, as an Independent, I felt the same way. Sky-blue fliers, stickers and pamphlets. These are all great ways to educate voters on candidates, but that’s not what happened. The students and organizations who were distributing and accepting literature destroyed the campus. Everywhere I walked, “Change We Can Believe In” trash covered streets, sidewalks, classrooms, University buildings and virtually anything you can think of.

Election projections

It is an undisputed fact that last Tuesday’s election was historic, to say the very least. America now has a black president, and America’s youth proved they actually do care about their futures. However, these details pale in comparison to the real landmark feat of this year’s election: The TV viewers of this great nation got to see reporters as 3-D holograms. Beam me up, Wolf Blitzer.  Live from Chicago, CNN transmitted an image of correspondent Jessica Yellin into the newsroom. True, it was slightly entertaining, but more than anything, it was weird and unnecessary.

Mitch couldn’t be ditched

As jovial supporters of Barack Obama, some rowdier than others, celebrated across campus on election night, IU’s Republican activists probably felt a little left out. But there was one thing they could take solace in: Gov. Mitch Daniels won re-election. Daniels did well, beating out Democratic challenger Jill Long Thompson 58 percent to 40 percent. Clearly, given Obama’s victory in Indiana, a Democrat can do well in the state. The upsurge of Democratic activism seemed to push Rep. Baron Hill (D-9th) to his greatest electoral victory against his recurrent Republican challenger Mike Sodrel. Therefore, it seems worth asking why Long Thompson fared so poorly against Daniels. No doubt much blame must fall on her lackluster campaign. Long Thompson never seemed to win the support of Indiana’s Democratic establishment, most of which backed Indianapolis architect Jim Schellinger in the primary. Drastically underfunded – being outspent by at least $10 million – Long Thompson couldn’t compete against Daniels’ air time.

‘You say you want a revolution ...’

“Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive,” wrote Wordsworth of the French Revolution. “But to be young was very heaven!” Tuesday night, for many, was bliss. Throngs of Obama supporters, drunk with triumph and exultation, flooded not just the vast fields of Chicago’s Grant Park, but the streets and courtyards of universities nationwide as well. I cannot believe this surprised so many. After all, they said all along this was our election. They said it was our voice that would finally count. And some even suggested that it was our generation upon whom a great portion of the consequences – good or bad – would fall.

New Indy Airport terminal opens Tuesday

INDIANAPOLIS – Visitors to the Indianapolis International Airport’s new $1 billion terminal will find plenty of Hoosier touches in the terminal when it opens for business Tuesday.

Woman arrested for child neglect, driving while intoxicated

A Bloomington woman faces preliminary charges of neglect and driving while intoxicated after leaving her two children at home Saturday morning.

Sexism vs. racism

It would be hard to argue that Barack Obama’s victory Nov. 4 was not a historic event. Regardless of his foreign policy experience and questionable economic strategies, the very fact that there will now be an black president in the White House says a lot about this country. Only 145 years ago, slavery was still common practice in America, and now someone who would have had no rights or freedoms a century ago is the leader of the free world.  But while this drawn out and remarkable race has proved how far America has come with its relationship with one minority, it is also a strong reminder of how negatively perceived another sub group of this country is.

‘Meet the Instruments’ gives kids hands-on music experience

Eight-year-old Tierra Lindley gripped a bow and slid it back and forth along the strings of a cello, feeling the vibrations of the different chords and deciding that it is the instrument she wants to learn to play.

VIDA brings identity to Waldron

After dedicating weeks to rehearsing and fine-tuning their Spanish, the actors from the Spanish theater group Vision, Identity, Drama, and Art (VIDA) kicked off their Spanish language plays Thursday night at the John Waldron Arts Center.

‘Looking Back – Pressing Forward’ with music, dance

“Sing it brother,” shouted an audience member. With hands raised toward the sky in praise and bodies grooving to the beat, audience members got down to soulful music and a night of full entertainment Saturday.

Badgers blow away IU 55-20

On their final home game of the season, everyone inside Memorial Stadium was treated to one more blowout. Losing to Wisconsin 55-20, the Hoosiers officially lost the chance to become bowl eligible long before the final whistle blew. Down 21-20 at the end of the first half, the Badgers rolled off 34 unanswered points in the second half. Decimated by injuries, IU failed to capitalize after winning the turnover battle and effectively hanging with Wisconsin in the first half. For the first two quarters, it was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, and as the half came to a close it appeared as if the Hoosiers might head into the locker room with the lead. Driving inside the Wisconsin 10-yard line, sophomore quarterback Ben Chappell took an injury to the head, fumbled and the Hoosiers metaphorically fumbled away their season as the Badgers never looked back.

IU men's basketball kicks off season with exhibition win

The IU men’s basketball team went on an 11-0 run to start the game and never looked back, easily defeating Division III Anderson 103-71 in Tom Crean’s coaching debut.

Disciplinary lines must cross for sustainability, professor says

More than 100 people crowded into the President’s Room at the Indiana Memorial Union to hear professor and renowned social scientist Elinor Ostrom speak about how disciplines can cooperate more efficiently to improve sustainability.

Live From Bloomington CD to benefit food bank

For all who are feeling inspirational, it’s time to finally write the song for that special someone and submit it to the Live From Bloomington Union Board.

Touted grapplers hope to pin competition as they open up season in B-town

With a national champion and two All-Americans last year, the IU wrestling team had what it generally considered a successful 2008-2009 season.

Students perform songs recalling activism and culture of 1968

The year 1968 was a turning point not only for America, but the world. It was the year that promising leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy were assassinated, backlash against the Vietnam War was strong and social activism raged.

Unranked Spartans await fluctuating IU

‘Potpourri of the Arts’ fuses cultures with song, dance

On Saturday, performers from the African American Arts Institute will come together for “Potpourri of the Arts,” an event that started 15 years ago and is a fusion of the three ensembles the African American Arts Institute encompasses.