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Spinning out of control

Have you ever gotten frustrated waiting at the doctor's office forever? What about others who never show up on time? Your inept boss? Rude airport security people? Professors who are too good for office hours? If so, I have a person for you -- Bill O'Reilly, anchor of the popular show, "The O'Reilly Factor" (weeknights on the Fox news channel). Why is O'Reilly great for handling these situations? Three words -- "No Spin Zone." For those who regularly watch "The Factor," O'Reilly's cut-to-the-chase, no-bull attitude with his guests is refreshing. O'Reilly asks simple questions and expects simple answers. If the guest stutters, has to take time to think of a politically correct answer, or is long winded, game over. O'Reilly prods in and destroys their sorry excuse of an answer. While this is entertaining, O'Reilly's two best-selling books seem to intend the "no-spin attitude" for use as a life philosophy.

Don't stop at Ground Zero

The idea behind cutting back on the number of firefighters at Ground Zero is absurd. By scaling efforts now, New York officials are simply delaying the time for everyone to get over the tragedy of Sept. 11. Hundreds of firefighters protested last Friday against a change in city policy that limits the number of firefighters and police officers to 25 from each department. These firefighters tangled with police, trying to get past a barracade toward the World Trade Center. By cutting back the number of employees, New York is just taking longer to overcome the battle it is already faced with.

Site will still be sacred

Hundreds of firefighters demonstrated in New York City Friday, protesting a decision to cut the number of workers searching for bodies at the World Trade Center site. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani announced that the cuts were made because of worker safety concerns. The Associated Press reported the mayor wants no more than 24 firefighters and 24 police officers at ground zero at any time. Firefighters protesting the decision say they are doing so for fear that the recovery effort will turn into a "full-time construction scoop-and-dump operation," according to the Associated Press.

Baseball owners vote to eliminate 2 unspecified teams

Without pinpointing which ones, baseball owners voted Tuesday to eliminate two teams before the start of next season. They also said they wouldn't lock out players when the labor contract expires this week.

Visit to Lubbock a trip among friends

While Sean May and his father, Scott May, were discussing the future with former men's basketball Bob Knight and IU trustee Stephen Ferguson was talking about old times with Knight, State Budget Director Betty Cockrum was hugging her older son, Joel Merriman.

IUPD Blotter

The following activity was reported by the IU Police Department:

Brand proposal gets CIC nod

This weekend, the faculty presidents of the Big Ten schools endorsed a proposal from IU President Myles Brand to reform intercollegiate athletics and create a policy of "Academics First." The PAC-10 conference colleges had already endorsed a similar proposal, also based on Brand's blueprint for reform.

'IDS' interim publisher, editor in chief announced

Nancy Comiskey, a senior editor at The Indianapolis Star, was named as interim IDS publisher Tuesday. Current publisher David Adams made the announcement at the newspaper's Publications Board meeting. The Publications Board, composed of three professional journalists, three students and faculty members, later chose senior Christina Jewett as the spring IDS editor in chief.

Property acquisition opens doors for Christian students

In a move to placate an increased demand for member housing, the Christian Student Fellowship last week acquired the former Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity house, 1968 N. Jordan Ave.

Team places third overall

The women's golf team placed third at the Pine Needles Invitational in Southern Pines, N.C., with sophomore Karen Dennison leading the way with a fifth place-finish.

Hoosiers fall to Life University

The hockey team is still trying to figure out what happened this weekend. Fifty-four minutes into Friday night's game, the Hoosiers were comfortably holding on to a 4-2 lead over the defending American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II champions, Life University. Sophomore goalie Charlie Pulley was a force in the net, robbing the Running Eagles on several opportunities.

Sophomore likely out for season; decisions abound

Mike Roberts might have a more serious injury to his right leg than first thought. A sophomore forward, Roberts hurt himself Oct. 31 in practice with what was originally called a sprained ankle. But now Roberts might have a chipped bone in his right leg. For the past several days, he has worn a black walking cast that stretches from his foot to his knee.

Smoking ban borders on ludicrous

These days, seems like everyone around here really wants to be healthy. No one wants to smoke anymore or be around it. Well, that's what the word on the street is. Whoever spoke this word apparently never visited Bloomington, which must have the highest percentage of smokers per capita in the country. I don't smoke. Never have, and while I can't really foresee lighting one up in the future, I won't say I never will, cause if I did then you know I would be seen this weekend with a cigarette hanging from my mouth. My mom smokes, and growing up around that was enough reason for me to steer clear of smokes. Its not to say that I have a problem with it. I've gotten over it by now, cause I've spent so many years around friends who smoke. Plus, if you spend any time at the bars, you learn to get over any problem with cigarettes really quickly.

Let's have a drink, overseas

In Bloomington, if you're not 21, the idea of living in a college town just isn't the same. Even if you have a fake ID, then a "no worries, let's get plastered" night at the bar is in fact full of fears of Kilroy's bouncers and encountering the excise police. After spending two years at IU with numerous fake IDs, I feel your pain. I have been, and still am, waiting for my 21st birthday, wondering if it will ever arrive. I have watched as most of my friends attempted 21 shots on their special day, going through the rite of passage that I long for.

Letter evokes memories of Martinsville's racist reputation

MARTINSVILLE -- Joanne Stuttgen believes there is a legend about this city, a tale that it is a place where the modern-day spirit of racial tolerance is ignored. True or not -- and Stuttgen wants so much to believe it is not -- that legend has again grown with a letter, published in the local newspaper, in which the city's assistant chief of police chided non-Christians and lashed out at homosexuals, using the terms "Buddy Buddha," "Hadji Hindu" and "queers."

Wrong place, wrong time

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- All I have to say is thank goodness for ESPN's BottomLine and the invention of cell phones. Without them, I would have jumped the next plane to Indiana from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Festival celebrates Cuban culture

IU recieved a Caribbean splash when the University's third annual Cubafest kicked off Monday with an inaugural song and dance celebration at the Willkie Quad Auditorium. The festival, the brainchild of junior Jessica Hernandez, is all about advancing knowledge of Cuban culture and providing a deeper understanding of Cubans in the community. The festival was started while Hernandez was a Community Educator in Eigenmann Hall.

Freshman earns way into lineup, finishes season strong

The women's soccer team is anchored by talented midfielders. Sophomore Emily Hotz; juniors Lisa Tecklenburg, Kara Bryan, Dana Philp; and seniors Stacey Peterson and Kelly Kram make the position one of the most balanced on the team.

Other IUSA News

Students abroad witness sympathy, gain perspective

Before Sept. 11, studying overseas for many American students was filled with unbridled enthusiam and unchecked anticipation. The terrorist attacks in the United States and the retaliatory bombings in Afghanistan have altered the experience for more than 75,000 American college students who are studying abroad this Fall, causing many to change their daily routines and reconsider their future plans.