Region

Combining job roles creates conflict

As a former IUSA senator, I find it amazing that IUSA has sought to combine the positions of its chief justice and its election coordinator, and by such a large margin of votes. (It would seem that one person in all of Congress had the good sense to vote no to this idea.) Has it occurred to no one that the group that is supposed to oversee the Elections Commission is the Supreme Court, and that by making the leader of one also the leader of the other, IUSA is creating an undeniable conflict of interest?

Editorial confuses two separate problems

In your staff editorial on the environment from Dec. 6 ("America must compromise on environment"), you equate the depletion of the ozone layer with global warming. These are two separate problems.

Dissent wrong to support Ten Commandments

I read Ashley Keen's dissent to the staff editorial ("Commandments a vital document," Nov. 5) concerning this settlement concerning the posting of the Ten Commandments in Washington County's Courthouse, and found a couple points to be interestingly disturbing. She states that "we cannot alter history." This is true. However, we do not have to "proudly display" every detail. Our Founding Fathers not only believed that slavery should be legal; some of them profited greatly from it. Should we find a way to "proudly display" this fact along with these other documents because it provides "an example of the basis on which our Founding Fathers established the laws of this nation?" The argument for displaying the Ten Commandments because of the historical influence seems vaguely reminiscent of the argument that was used to fly the Confederate flag above the South Carolina state capitol.

Political Christmas cards

I am beginning to wonder if I'll get what I want for Christmas: a legitimately elected president. If not, I'll be happy enough if Santa remembers that I asked for peace in the Middle East.

An honor to serve

By the third week of publication, we were all seasoned veterans. By the fourth week, we were trying to catch up in classes. The Fall 2000 Indiana Daily Student staff wraps up its semester today. We've tried from the beginning to write about what matters -- from coverage of our soccer team's final four run to the local music scene. But 10 years from now, what we'll remember are two stories -- basketball legend Bob Knight's firing and the still undetermined presidential election. The irony is, at the beginning of the semester, I thought I missed the big basketball story. I spent my summer working at a newspaper in Frankfort, Ky. I watched the Neil Reed incident play out into Knight's agreement to abide by the zero-tolerance standard.

Media must rethink strategy

The NBC network announced Nov. 29 that it would rethink its reporting strategy in future elections, The Associated Press reported. It became the third major network, after ABC and the Fox News Channel, to make that decision, after strong criticism from the public and Capitol Hill about media coverage of the Nov. 7 election.

Speaker concerned with Mississippi River pollution

As the world's population has increased, there have been more mouths to feed and a need to grow more crops. As a result, more fertilizers have been used, but these fertilizers have polluted areas such as the Mississippi River Basin.

IUSA passes bill seeking arrow at busy intersection

The IU Student Association closed the semester passing several key resolutions at its meeting Thursday. With a vote of 31-0-0, the group passed a bill recommending a turning arrow be placed at the 10th Street and Fee Lane intersection, an idea brought up at the Nov. 30 meeting.

Holly and Ivy dinner celebrates holidays

Thursday, McNutt Quad continued a 36-year tradition -- the Holly and Ivy dinner. McNutt students who attended gave up 14 meal points to partake in this annual tradition.

Board of trustees, Nelms discuss minority recruitment, retention

The IU board of trustees held its last meeting of the year Thursday and Friday at IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis.

Eigenmann celebrates 30th anniversary

When Eigenmann Hall was built in 1968, it cost $9.8 million, said Bruce Jacobs, associate vice chancellor of administrative affairs. The 14-floor residence hall was the first on campus to be air-conditioned, and it was also the most expensive residence hall for students. Original plans even called for full maid service, Jacobs said.

Religious studies professor wins national award for book

In response to his book "Song and Story in Biblical Narrative," Associate Professor Steve Weitzman has been awarded the Gustave O. Arlt Award in Religious Studies by the Council of Graduate Schools. Weitzman formally accepted the award and its supplementary $1,000 grant at the Council's annual meeting Thursday in New Orleans.

Local Exhibits

Bloomington Playwrights presents holiday production

The Bloomington Playwrights Project will kick off the holiday season with a production of "Merry Elementary," a play that touches on the true meaning of the holiday season, among a number of other themes.

Put me in, coach!

Not too long ago, I was watching an IU football game when the announcers began to banter about the possibility of junior quarterback Antwaan Randle El suiting up again to play basketball for the Hoosiers this winter.

A familiar situation

If IU wins the national championship this weekend with its current record of 16-6, it would be the first team to win the title with more than five losses. Only Duke (18-5-1) in 1986 and Clemson (18-5-1) in 1987 had worse records and won the NCAA championship.

A bumpy ride with a happy ending

Just minutes after winning last season's national championship, my thoughts drifted to the future. After hearing Nick Garcia announcing his choice to jump to MLS, I knew the 2000 edition of the soccer Hoosiers would be vastly different than the two squads who brought the hardware home to Bloomington.

Versatile transfer player sparks Hoosier offense

Bobby de St. Aubin remembers last season's NCAA men's soccer College Cup. He and his teammates got together and watched the games on television. De St. Aubin saw IU beat UCLA 3-2 and Santa Clara 1-0 for its second consecutive national championship -- the Hoosiers' fifth title overall.

Vandals strike downtown McDonald's

McDonald's, 420 E. Kirkwood Ave., has been the target of vandalism five times in six weeks, Bloomington Police Capt. Joe Qualters said. Seven windows were broken, and two were damaged early Saturday morning.

Japanese geisha culture fading into history

KYOTO, Japan -- As the dusk falls, teahouses light paper lanterns on front porches, casting a dim yellow light on narrow stone-paved alleys. They open the doors to the flower and willow world of geisha. This has been the routine for hundreds of years.