indy Bloomington-Normal’s free independent newspaper
indy. pabn. org
In the Indy
October 12, 09 Vol. 9, No. 4
Homecoming 2009 Warning Signs
Pg. 3
Homecoming
Pgs. 4-5
He Said, She Said
Pg. 6
Zombieland
Pg. 8
Tailgating: Promoting school The Alumni Center: spirit or an excuse to party? What It’s Really For Jenna Brandon Indy Staff
Travis Harvey Indy Staff It’s a sunny Saturday morning and college students across campus are still sleeping off the fun from the night before all leading up to the fun that would start in only a matter of hours. Meanwhile there are students who have been awake for hours preparing for the day, I like to call these students super fans. The average college student is just waking up and getting ready, while the super fans have already taken the car to the lot, started heating the grill, and set up the bags boards. These super fans are ready for tailgating. “I think tailgating is really fun, when it’s done properly, tailgating is supposed to be before the game and show your support for the team,” senior Sarah Cloninger said, “I feel that everyone tailgates without caring about the team and sometimes they don’t even make it into the game. It should be about the team spirit and having a good time with friends.” Tailgating is a long tradition at sporting events across the world, it’s the pre party for the big game, but for some fans it’s for every game. Tailgating has become popular on the college campus as social gatherings that take place in stadium parking lots before football games. The use of tailgating has spread to the pre-game festivities at sporting events of all kinds. Students show school spirit by attend-
ing tailgating events and wearing Illinois State University apparel. “I strongly believe tailgating promotes school spirit. For high school, our girls cross country team qualified for sectionals and the guys team painted our cars and faces and brought silly string to the race, I haven’t had the chance to do this at ISU yet, but I can’t wait.” Freshman Nick Fratto said. This has led some to begin questioning the intentions of tailgating and with homecoming right around the corner it’s about time we get to the bottom of this. Tailgating is all about coming together and showing support every year. Each year the student section, the bird cage, is completely packed with students and faculty. Homecoming is the schools biggest turnout for tailgating and the game itself, especially if we’re playing a good team. There are booths set up everywhere with free giveaways, like food, ISU apparel, etc. and everyone is in high spirits. “Being only a semester out, I’m looking forward to tailgating with all my friends who are still on campus, specifically my oldest college friend that I’ve had since preview, we always tailgate together” Alumna Jennifer Mullins said. Not everyone feels this way about tailgating, some feel it’s all about drinking and there isn’t much else that goes on. “The game is See Tailgate on Page 4
Advertisements on Campus
editor wouldn’t run the article right? Well don’t they check their advertisements before running those in a school paper? Not only is there excessive alcohol and bar ads that underage students should not be forced to see in an educational environment, but these advertisements are excluding a good 15% of our student body: minority students. This article by no means is to bash the Daily Vidette, although they do represent Illinois State and therefore should be a little more careful about the things they publish. This article is to focus on the advertisements in the Vidette that thousands of students see each day. Since it’s the season of signing apartments for the upcoming school year I thought we would think back to some of those apartment advertisements that were slammed in your face earlier this month. As we all know these ads around
Amanda Clayton Indy Staff As you pick up a copy of the Daily Vidette your eyes wander through the pages of advertisements, advertisements, and an article or two printed daily with the latest headlines and community events. The Daily Vidette should be a great insight to the campus of Illinois State and our student body. But does it really represent us, I think not. The articles aren’t always student written. They publish more advertisements than articles, and generally just seem to be focusing on the money and not about our student body. But if something was offensive an
I’ve heard of an Alumni Center down on... something street. On the internet I went to find out where it was. The Center’s website states that “Illinois State University is proud to offer our alumni, students and friends a place to gather and connect with their campus home.” I know my friends have never gathered there before. I know I haven’t connected with my campus home there before. Was this mission statement a lie? Do people even know what this place is? I asked some students who collectively told me: “There’s an old people king and queen at homecoming, I think they vote on it there.”; “I heard to be a real alumnus here at Illinois State after graduation, you go through a metaphysical ritual of some kind, then you’re a member.”; “We all pay an insane amount of money to have our names on a plaque at the Alumni place.” I wish these led to an answer. But really, what makes the Alumni Center the Alumni Center? I was determined to find out for myself. I decided to take a tour and explore the mystery. I pulled up to a unique
Georgian façade that stands out in a strip mall on Main Street and Orlando Avenue. The building used to be a run down Eagle Market grocery store. That’s definitely not the case anymore. I was stunned at the cleanliness of the building’s face, and inside was equally as immaculate. Walking into the quiet hum of the Great Hall there was a warm, cozy fireplace with plush patterned chairs and (so fitting to ISU) Reggie Redbird’s bronze bust. A receptionist led me to the office of a man who would give me a tour of the center. He introduced himself as Jason as he described five rooms used for production meetings and social events lead by local businesses and organizations. Each room was “decked out” with top of the line media tools, including jumbo projectors, laptops and almost limitless audio/visual capabilities. He did not once mention any alumni, nor did I see any students. I asked if this place was accessible to students, and his answer was “Yes, they can pay to use rooms for hiring seminars or business meetings when the College of Business isn’t open.” Well what about the alumns, do they use it often? His reply: “Sometimes, but they cannot use it for weddings See Center on Page 3:
The Alumni Center is located at 1101 North Main campus can be very misleading. Apartment companies find the best quotes and pictures to publish to sway your opinions into thinking their company is the best. But is it really legit? Of course they are not going to state all their flaws such as their parking spots being teeny tiny or that you might have to pay for your utilities, but we find all those things out later. Their ads also give a false glimpse of the Bloomington normal college community. Ever look at an apartment ad in the Vidette and think about your neighbors and who you see on the quad? These ads are total bull. Picking a bunch of fraternity men or sorority women to pose for a picture in their apartment in their letters doesn’t represent ISU as a whole. Yet time after time we continuously see Greek letters in these ads. Let’s do some math. If 10% of the student body is Greek and there are 20,856 enrolled students this fall that means
2086 students are in Greek life. So companies such as First Site show a bunch of Chi Omegas on their website or Sigma Tau Gammas wearing their letters in advertisements and they probably think “Yeah now all the Greek students will rent with us!” But wait a second… there are 2500 minority students enrolled this fall on campus. A number that is larger than the percentage of students in Greek life at Illinois State, yet I have never seen an advertisement with anyone but a white student in it. WHY IS THAT FIRST SITE? How about you Young America and Sami… why are all your advertisements focused on white kids when our University is supposed to be diverse? Another thing these companies are lacking is permission to use pictures of the students in their advertisements. When our friends moved in at the new Oaks apartSee Advertisements on Page2
2 Chatterbox
October 12, 2009 Indy
chatterbox
Pink D Driver with Red-Hot Temper
Clause” pulled up, pointed at us (I was with two other students) and drove away. More recently I overheard a conversation in which the speaker mentioned that he has yelled at people who appear foreign
and left others because of challenges. So what’s the deal? Is this prick just going to keep getting away with it? First of all, if he has personal issues he needs to leave them at home. The passengers are not the ones who need to deal with his flack. Secondly, discrimination based on challenges
Be aware, not scared of Breast Cancer Lisa Shelton Indy Staff Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast divide and grow without normal control. Nearly 200,000 new cases of breast cancer will arise this year. Women around the world are battling this disease. Cancer runs in my family so in 2004 I joined a group to raise awareness about breast cancer. I participated in a 5 mile walk and run. Since then I have gotten a chance to meet some remarkable women that have battled and survived breast cancer. I have also gotten a chance to realize how it could affect my life. Thus, I have chosen to be aware, not scared of breast cancer. The most important aspect of breast cancer awareness is family history. If cancer has occurred throughout your family, it raises your risk of developing cancer. Secondly, knowing what is normal for your body is essential to spotting irregularities in your breasts. An abnormal look can be a warning sign of breast cancer. You should know how your breasts look and feel. Some breast cancer risk factors are beyond our control. Women who have their first period before the age of 12, have their first child after the age of 35, or have a family history of breast cancer are at a higher risk of developing it themselves. Healthy lifestyle choices are essential for a healthy body. Some lifestyle choices could put you or someone you know at a higher risk for breast cancer development. These include poor eating habits, excessive weight gain, and lack of exercise. High alcohol consumption can
or against “foreigners” is just outrageous. I challenge students, if possible, to use the Pink D bus driven by a woman. She may seem helpful but she has a temper! The bus routes work on a loop through town, and they stop at Wal-Mart at twelve and thirty-one minutes after the hour.
4. Which of the following does not increase your risk of breast cancer? a. Alcohol consumption b. Breastfeeding c. Lack of exercise d. Family history of breast cancer 5. Men can be diagnosed with breast cancer? (2,000 cases each year) a. True b. False 6. Genetic mutations account for what percentage of breast cancer cases in the U.S.? a. 5-10 b. 15-20 c. 35-40 d. 45-50
also raise your risk of developing breast cancer. Drinking 2-4 drinks a day can slightly increase your risk of developing breast cancer. Lastly, screening is important to detecting problems early. A regular self breast exam one week after your monthly period can help to identify abnormalities for women age 20 and over. Women 40 and over should have a yearly mammogram. The following quiz tests your knowledge and understanding of breast cancer.
For more information on breast cancer and breast cancer awareness go to:
www.komen.org
1. Who is at risk for breast cancer? a. Women over 40 b. Everyone c. Mothers who breast feed d. Young women ages 18- 25 2. A breast self exam should be performed a. During your period b. A few days to a week af ter your period c. The middle of your pe riod d. A few days before your period is supposed to start 3. What age should women begin their yearly mammograms? a. 20 b. 30 c. 40 d. 50
7. A mammogram is used to _____ __ breast cancer. a. Detect b. Treat 8. October is breast cancer awareness month. a. True b. False 9. The Susan G. Komen Foundation was started by a woman, Nancy Brinker, who lost her sister to breast cancer. a. True b. False 10. The Susan G. Komen Foundation is the smallest grassroots cancer organization of its kind. a. True b. False
Answers: 1-b, 2-b, 3-c, 4- b, 5-a, 6-a, 7-a, 8-a, 9-a, 10-b (it’s actually the largest)
Standing outside Wal-Mart, at the stop sign I was supposed to catch the bus at, I figured I had a twenty-minute ride back to ISU. Wrong. This driver, who some have described as resembling “Santa
Indynews@hotmail.com
Advertisements from page 1:
Join the Indy. We meet every Wednesday, 6pm-7pm, at the Coffeehouse in downtown Normal.
Independent Thinkers
Volunteer to help with the Indy: We need writers, editors, photographers, artists, and more.
Make Money!
Advertising Manager and Distribution Manager needed!
Write a Letter to the Indy
Email: indynews@hotmail.com Executive Editors: Amanda Clayton Lisa Shelton Executive of Motivation: Yuri Gonzales Layout: Casey Reynolds Spiritual Guidance: Jon Kindseth
indy
Bloomington-Normal’s free independent paper The Indy is a Registered Student Organization at Illinois State University, Campus Box 2700, Normal, IL, 61790-2700.
ments off of Hovey, my roommates and I walked over to see the place. The First Site employees were still there giving them the low down on a few last things and before they left they asked if they could take a picture of all of us in the apartment. “Sure, no problem” we said and one, two, three the camera flashed. Never did these employees tell us that the photos they take could be used for advertisements for the company. Never did they tell us that our faces would now be the spokespeople for their apartments... that our faces would represent the voice of First Site. So low and behold THAT picture was used for a First Site advertisement for the Oaks luxury townhomes. When the ad first appeared in the Daily Vidette my roommates and I were bombarded with texts all day from friends telling us our picture was in an advertisement in the paper. Oh that’s cool we thought. It wasn’t a big deal or anything but then a week or so later I opened the Vidette and saw our picture once again but this time it was blown up ten times as large to fit a whole page ad. First Site was out to embarrass us. Yes they have the rights to their own photos, but permission from the students in the photos seems necessary before publishing them all over town don’t you think?
We are just a bunch of white kids who live at the Oaks, there’s nothing special about us. We aren’t star athletes or scholarship award winners so why choose us for an advertisement. I understand the company’s aim in using fraternity men, but there are so many students with different races and ethnicities living in these apartments why choose us, I just don’t get it. Maybe these apartment companies hired some marketing research analysis technician and figured out that the best way to target college kids is to find and only use white students in their ads, because that’s all I’ve ever seen. They have a flawed system for sure and it needs to change, just like their prices. Illinois State isn’t some private school for rich kids to attend… it’s a public university that the average income household sends their children to. It is suppose to be diverse and affordable but now there are new apartments leasing for $700 a month, the Map grant taking away funding for students, and simple advertisements that never include minority students. It may just be that I’m in a sociology class right now discussing issues such as race and ethnicity in our society, but something doesn’t seem right. Get with the program apartment companies and show our student body some respect.
Indy News
October 12, 2009 Indy
Know the Relationship Warning Signs Confidential Anne Le, a 24-year-old Yale graduate student, entered a lab building at around 8 a.m. on September 8, and from there was never seen again. That day was supposed to have been Anne’s wedding day. Police later found her body hidden in a crawl space in the wall of the university’s lab basement where lab animals were kept. Medical examiners announced that Le had been strangled by Raymond Clark III, a fellow student she had worked with in the lab. Information began to develop over the span of time that the murder was being investigated. People wanted to know, who was Raymond Clark III? There were mixed opinions. Ryan Santoro, a friend of Clark’s since the age of 12, never imagined he would be involved in a murder. Both he and Clark’s other friends, who all played on the same little league baseball team were shocked at the accusations. Other friends of Raymond Clark began to come forward, describing him as a “nice guy,” someone who respected authority, and was even described him as “popular.” Clark allegedly volunteered to help the homeless, and even raised money for people with cancer. But there was another side to Raymond Clark, a side only few experienced. Those who worked in the lab with him at Yale described him as a “control freak.” Jessica Diel, Clark’s high school ex-girlfriend, told media sources that he was the perfect boyfriend in the beginning of their relationship. “He was sweet, perfect, and charming”, Diel said. “Everyone loved him,” she recalled. Not even three months into their perfect relationship, Raymond began to become controlling, dictating who she should speak to and befriend, and even what she should wear. There
were times Raymond frightened her, and things even got physical. She began to stop arguing or disagreeing with him to avoid a fight. When Diel finally decided to end the relationship, she was forced to get both police and school officials involved, being escorted to her car until Clark lost interest and gave up. Why were there so many mixed accounts about what kind of person Raymond Clark really was? The perfect son, the great friend, the outstanding athlete, the friendly student, the “great catch”…by the sound of it, you’d be lucky to date a guy like this, right? Now what if a couple of months into your relationship with this guy, after being treated like gold from day one, he did something to upset you? But instead of apologizing, your boyfriend tells you to get over it, that you’re making a big deal over nothing, or even that it was your fault to begin with. You start noticing that things are changing. He constantly asks you where you’ve been or why you didn’t answer his phone calls. He becomes demanding, controlling, and not at all like the person you met and fell for. The scenario sounds cheesy when it’s not happening to you. Most people think that girls who get into relationships like these are desperate, dumb, weak, and naïve. On the outside of the relationship, people wonder why a girl would ever stay with someone like that. They never think it could happen to them, because they tell themselves that if a boyfriend ever treated them that way they would dump him, simple as that. Well, speaking from experience, everything changes when you’re in a controlling, unhealthy relationship like Jessica Diel was with Raymond Clark. When your emotions are on the line, especially when
you think you’re in love with someone, it can be exceedingly difficult to see someone’s faults for what they really are. You can call girls desperate or stupid all you want, but when you’re on the other side of things, your perspective changes. Small fights escalate into larger ones. Non-physical arguments become physical. Your self esteem plummets from high to low. You find yourself becoming a different person. You endure constant blaming and accusations that you’re psycho, too emotional, irrational, sensitive, or even that you’re a cheater. You’re a liar, a bitch, a slut, worthless, hopeless, pathetic person. But wait, what happened to that perfect guy you fell for? He must still be in there somewhere, right? Maybe it’s your fault that that guy went away, and now you’re left with this angry, heartless boyfriend. It must be you that’s doing something wrong. After all, he doesn’t treat anyone else that way. How could the guy you started dating, the guy whom everyone still thinks is so great, so funny, so hot, really be such a horrible person? Maybe things can change. Maybe you can change him. And he always says sorry, right? He always has an apology, and an excuse, and an “I’ll make it up to you.” So what if you have a few fights, you know he loves you. You’re sure of it. This is pretty much what goes through the mind of a girl in an abusive relationship.
3
Even though you say time and time again it will never happen to you, at least be aware. If any of these behaviors start happening with someone you’re dating, drop them. Don’t wait until things get better, because they won’t. If a guy does it one time they will do it again, trust me. And if any of this sounds like your current relationship, you should get out of it while you can. It’s not worth it. It doesn’t matter how many other people think a guy is charming and handsome. If he is treating you like a worthless possession then he’s not going to change, nor can you change him or save him with your love. It’s not enough. Do yourself a favor and save your time and your emotions for someone who will treat you like you deserve to be treated.
Does your T-shirt speak for you to make others speak? Belka Vovkina Indy Staff Every day we are willy-nilly exposed to thousands of different messages through various information channels. Tshirts and sweatshirts, the most comfy and most popular clothes of all times, have become outlets to relay these messages. Stop at any place on campus for a minute and you may easily get yourself occupied with very entertaining reading of “backs and chests” and even breasts. Big or small save them all, teacher, Guiness, The Beatles, Bob Marley, Aeropostale, Che Guevara, Illinois State, RedBird, Super Star, Squirrels gone wild, greek letters and whatever else one’s brain can absorb in a minute provoke questions like – Why do you guys wear these? Why
do you want your T-shirt to say something? Do you really mean it? Or is it just a T-shirt given to you by your folks or employer and it happened to be the only one that is ketchup-stains-free for today? Sometimes people wear T-shirts to demonstrate that they belong to some society or association, sorority or fraternity, but it’s not always true. I am sure that almost everyone has a T-shirt with logo and slogan on it which he got as a bonus from some organization. It doesn’t really matter what it says you simply wear it…maybe because it fits, or you like the color, or because you got it for free. In most cases we wear what we like and we like it because we find it soooooo cooooooool, and we do not necessarily associate ourselves with what our Tshirts say. I recall Americans tourists buy-
ing red T-shirts with a hammer and sickle circled in a rye wreath and USSR on them in Moscow. I am 100% sure that none of the Russians would wear anything with Soviet symbols these days. But these souvenirs are still produced and successfully sold because tourists find them extremely cool! But if you don’t want to be pointed at in a crowd of pedestrians somewhere in Russia be sure you don’t drag a T-shirt with Soviet symbols out of the pile of clean clothes in your suit case. Well, let’s get on the sunny side. “Speaking “ T-shirts can really do you good, for example, as conversation starters. I noticed that my black guitar T-shirt with the words Assembly required works perfectly for this purpose. Anyone may just come up to you with the most obvious question – Do you play guitar? Even if the answer is no it is still possible to go on with the question – Do you? And in most cases you’ll hear Yes and then “the stranger is hooked”, you may keep asking questions about music and it never fails you to develop a good, fruitful conversation. So now I often wear it because I know that it can help me to start talking to someone and I don’t have to worry about how and what to say first.
T-shirts with Simpsons make people comment all the time. Comments differ depending on how proper a beholder is. In most cases they assume that you are one of the Simpsons fans and will definitely warn you of the negative influence of the language used in the cartoon. T-shirts with humor, self-irony and other smile-generating stuff will always draw attention. If you are too busy to stop for a chat with a person wearing a t-shirt like this you might just get into this mute talk with yourself – Oh, thank you, funny ” back” for bringing a smile into my life today. I came up with a concept explaining the reasons why we have this tendency to put different “tags” on ourselves. Wearing T-shirt is like wearing a mask for a masquerade. It may disguise a person and at the same time reveal some parts of his personality which for some reason he’s hiding from others. On the other hand though, some may wear T-shirts to make their beliefs obvious because they want to share their values or concerns with other people.
4 Campus News Tailgate from Page 1 just an excuse, and if it was changed so people would have to go into the game or leave, tailgating would probably just be a few small groups grilling out.” senior John Patterson explained. The large groups of people who are all hanging out all morning bond and become friends throughout the day, some even see each other weeks later and hangout then. So if tailgating doesn’t promote school spirit, it does have a purpose, it brings sports fans together in one place to celebrate what they love the most, the game. “I tailgate at almost every home game, and I feel like there is so much school spirit out in that parking lot,” Senior Brittany D’Anza said, “I feel like it’s a good way to meet people even if you don’t have a tailgate set up, you can walk around the parking lot and be accepted with no questions, it brings people together Especially while playing games like bags.” People lose the boundaries they put up in everyday life while they are tailgating and they just become friends, it’s one of the most neighborly environments in the world. So if there is still that stigma that tailgating is all about drinking, we can all take a step back and see that its one big happy family when we’re out there.
October 12, 2009 Indy
Why is my Face on Every Road Near Campus?
Reggie the Redbird Guest Editor Hello Redbirds! It’s been a long time since I nested with you, but lately something’s been getting under my feathers. It seems every time I drive around town or take a quick flight across campus, I can’t help but wonder: why the fuck my face is on every road near campus? It’s not like these are bird tracks that lead to the arena, which would totally make sense. No, these are fucking Yugosize images of my trademark crest and beak that lead to nowhere. Have you tried following these images? There’s nothing like looping around East Campus in a futile effort to figure out what the hell these images mean and why they’re on the streets around campus. Even with my awesome bird’s eye view, it’s hard to discern what purpose these images serve.
If these effigies aren’t big enough to be seen from low-earth orbit, they decided to do smaller images of my likeness too. What does little Reggie symbolize that big Reggie doesn’t? I’m a big fucking redbird, not some wimp-ass cardinal. In case people haven’t noticed, I’m a big fucking deal at sporting events here. I lead the chants, I flirt with the fly Redbird fans, pose for pictures with kids, and pick fights with opposing mascots. These goddamn Reggie images can hurt my street cred. Next time I invite a fine, feathered lady bird over to my roost, she might get lost using these goddamn images. And that, Redbird Nation, is unacceptable. In a town ripe with one-way streets and silly construction projects, the last thing we need are these false symbols on the roadways. Can you imagine some confused parent or alum coming here during homecoming and thinking they should follow my face on the pavement? I hope not because they’d be fucked like Indiana State on our football field homecoming weekend!!! Do I have to start molting before somebody else says something? It’s not like there are Titans all around Illinois
Wesleyan’s campus. You know why? Because it’s a stupid idea. Next time I’m hyping the crowd and the stands are half-empty, I’m going to blame these fucking Reggie icons all around the campus roads. As your benevolent rump shaking, noise-making mascot, I ask that you not stand for this! Please buy some paint and go Jackson Pollock on these motherfuckers.
Homecoming, 2009 Some of the Events... Campus Decorating Contest Judging Friday,October 9 All-over campus! ,09:30 AM Reggie Day at the Children’s Discovery Museum Saturday,October 10 101 E. Beaufort, Normal IL Children’s Discovery Museum,10:00 AM Homecoming Kick Off Monday,October 12 Quad, 7:00 PM Redbird Rumble: Team Competitions Tuesday,October 13 Hancock Stadium, 6:30 PM Homecoming F/S Appreciation Luncheon Wednesday,October 14 Bone Student Center Brown Ballroom, 11:00 AM RSO Carnival Wednesday,October 14 Bone Student Center Brown Ballroom, 6:30 PM
Center from page 1 or religious ceremonies.” After my tour and complimentary flavored coffee I sipped near the stone fireplace, I returned to my dorm. This pristine palace of people and prosperity left me startled and wondering. It seemed to be that this place was all business, no spontaneous congregating. Barely any students go there. Is this really a place for us? And more importantly, why do the graduates of ISU (180,000+ spread all across the country) deserve the name of the center? The first half of my answer, of course, surfaced from money and business. In 2006 the Bloomington-Normal Main Street Commission, consisting of organizations from ISU, IWU and the surrounding community, created a plan that would put Main Street back in the main spotlight. This plan included boosting revenue and visual concepts that would appeal to visi-
The Great Urban Race - Homecoming 2009 Friday,October 16 Alumni Center -- starting location ,11:00 AM
Black Colleagues Association - Saturday Activities Saturday,October 17 08:30 AM
Alumni Day & Homecoming Luncheon Friday,October 16 Bone Student Center, 12:00 PM
Homecoming Parade Saturday,October 17 09:30 AM
International House Grand Opening Friday,October 16 Vrooman and Manchester 102 ,4:00 PM
Spread the Red Tailgate Tent Saturday,October 17 11:00 AM
Black Colleagues Association - Friday Activities Friday,October 16 5:00 PM
College of Fine Arts Tailgate Tent Saturday,October 17 Redbird Tent Zone ,11:00 AM
Torchlight Parade and Hoopfest Friday,October 16 Redbird Arena, 6:30 PM
Uptown & Gown Gala Saturday,October 17 Bone Student Center, 6:30 PM
Hoopfest Friday,October 16 Horton Field House, 7:00 PM
Black Colleagues Association - Scholarship Brunch Sunday,October 18 Doubletree Hotel ,10:00 AM
Pep Rally, Live Music, & Bonfire Friday,October 16 8:15 PM
Twin City Tours Sunday,October 18 Alumni Center ,10:30 AM
tors and companies alike. The arrangement made the Alumni Center its centerpiece. The hope was that business, organizations and alumni would use the facility for business gatherings and community socializations, which in turn could give money to our school and community groups, which in turn would put money back into the community. A plan only big business could invoke, meaning students were essentially left out. So to say the Center is a place for friends and students (whichever you fall under) to connect and gather is a lie for the most part. The other part of my answer was still unclear to me. I decided to look into who paid the 9 million dollar price tag on the Alumni Center, trying to find an answer. I figured it was the University Alumni Association and I was wrong. ISU executed a budget that included financial gifts and
grants to pay for the gutting and glorifying of 1101 N Main St. Besides some donations to the Center, the Alumni Association gives monetary support not only for projects, but to better our campus. Even more than that, they give personal support. The alumni are like the wind on our campus. We can’t see it, but we know they’re there. The University Alumni Association (UAA) represents Illinois State to the community by volunteering, giving money, adopting highways and revamping buildings. This is why the Alumni Center is dubbed this name. After all, you don’t call it the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts because John Kennedy hangs out there. You certainly don’t call it the Rosa Parks Center because Rosa makes monthly visits. This means you don’t need to call it the Alumni Center if the alumns don’t make pit stops there yearly.
I finally found the answer, and my answer is this: The alumni did something good for the community. They gave time and support to an area that handed them their diploma some odd years ago. The building is named the Alumni Center in honor of their dedication and time spent in our fair Blo-No. They may not have paid for a club house, or forced President Bowman into christening a room, but they did come together for a solitary purpose. Their purpose was to give back to a school that did something for them. However, if this is a place of revenue that is doing our school some good, then maybe I will come back when I’m fifty and it will still be there. I’ll walk through the doors and find my old college buddies sipping hazelnut coffee by Reggie’s bronzed head, and thank President Bowman I didn’t have to chant or sacrifice to get in there.
Indy News
Alumni
Teresa Washington Indy Staff Like many, I am excited for homecoming week to be here. It’s not for the chance to see the football game or the tailgating before the game. It’s the chance to see alumni who have graduated and come back down for a chance to reminisce on their Redbird days. About 159,409 alumni have kept in touch and about half of them come back for homecoming. The University offer alumni special accommodations and deals throughout the entire week. Alumni also bring the possibility that you as students can survive the midterms and many papers you have to do to earn your degree. Nevertheless, alumni come back to enjoy the time to relax and not worry about the constant dilemmas in everyday life. However, I believe that you have two types of alumni that come back. The first type is one who is just so sick and tired of the drama of work and family life
October 12, 2009 Indy that only come down to hang with the boys and meet up with their ex-girlfriend and think about what could have happen if they would’ve stayed together. The other type is one who just thinks that they can still do the same things they did when they were in college. However, they fail to realize that they’ve gained about 15 pounds and cannot keep up with the younger guys. Even though we may see these types of alumni at homecoming, it shouldn’t let us forget that we will soon be in their footsteps as well. Remember that everyone who is a Redbird now sooner or later will be alumni as well. As students, we should embrace our alumni because they are also the same people who contribute to the school and fund all kinds of things on campus that current and future students will use or take advantage of. The underlining of the matter is that alumni are people who show tribute to their alma mater because believe it or not college is like a second home in which you meet people who have your best interest at heart.
Homecoming Parade Teresa Washington Indy Staff Growing up I loved parades. I loved the overly exaggerated expression of happiness. I loved how I could eat whatever I wanted without any “you-know-better” looks from my parents. I definitely loved watching the different acts perform. Maybe it’s just me, but I felt like they often show the evolving society in which we live. The Homecoming parade is nevertheless the same. It becomes more than just walking for the Redbirds. It becomes a way of connecting with the community and
5
grasping the Redbird within you. It embraces the pride the student has that made them even decide to attend this school. The parade starts on the day of the football game and many organizations comprise this parade. Just having everyone participate in the parade shows how a community can come together as one. Even outside vendors often endorse their businesses throughout the parade. This parade embodies the very soul of the campus and the community. Unlike Chicago, the only big parade Bloomington-Normal encounters is this one. So why not get excited. It’s the only chance we have to have fun before the frigid winds of winter swarms the campus. Children as well as adults are so delighted not only to support the university, but just to have a day to just enjoy with family and friends. It’s during these times that make me say that I’m glad to be a Redbird. As students, I think we should be happy that we have a community that embraces us in every aspect. So why shouldn’t they have a day of fun either.
ISU Iuck Fillinois: Codes, Colors, and Symbols for Homecoming 2009 Outlaw29 Indy Staff Redbird Nation, when the word got back to me that my Redbird brethren were assaulted and intimidated during the away game for the varsity football team by the Tribe Illini, emotion reigned. “Those sanctimonious bullies” is the kindest summation of my thinking during the Indy meeting some three weeks ago. As reported to me, Redbirds were pelted with water balloons, and viciously taunted by crowds in the U of I stadium and on the streets of Champaign-Urbana, to the point of purchasing Illini gear just to stop getting harassed in their Redbird Reds. The whole of Central Illinois knew that I.S.U. would lose to U of I, so the fact that such extreme behaviors occurred for a meaning less football game made me ponder why such fanatical behaviors were produced by the U of I student body. As is becoming common course for the Legend of Great Strength Rising in Outlaw29, I had to go to Milner Library to get an answer. During the aforementioned Indy meeting a question came up regarding why tailgating is popular and a main event on the Homecoming Week Calendar. It is common tradition for homecoming festivities to be linked to a football game across
college campuses in the United States; culturally, we love a good fight. It is fascinating to hear how people associate themselves with sports teams by saying “we” when referencing events in a game. Homecoming football games provide an easy avenue for a “we” to exist amongst people of profession and those without a profession. The establishment meets and greets the unestablished, serving as mentors and models
to inspire commitment to the mission of a university past, present, and future. Thus the ritual of tailgating is an institutionalized carnival to allow grown adults work-
ing for “The Man” to revert to an undeveloped phase, in order to celebrate the merits of the knowledge dispersed by a university. I have to credit Philip J. Deloria for this insight from his book titled Playing Indian. More specifically, Deloria reveals, “Carnival…represented a second life, a different consciousness that transcended the everyday. As both specific holiday ritual and generalized consciousness, carnival broke down boundaries, demonstrating the commonalities between upper and lower classes, law and custom, food and flesh, past and present, civilized and savage, birth and death.” Though the Illini had to give up the minstrelsy act of Chief Illiniwek due to pressure from the N.C.A.A., the culture of honor surrounding the symbol and nickname of U of I evidenced them to
be functional in the student body as they hosted Illinois State for a football game. Redbirds were made out to be an enemy from within the borders of the traditional Illini grounds, thus seeing our Redbird Reds inspired a violent streak among U of I student body to defend their native territory. Such actions reveal insecurity; maybe the insecurity of knowing that the Illini may finish last in the Big Ten football standings for 2009. I’m glad that us Redbirds don’t pursue hollow prestige with such vigor. My fellow Indy staff commented that homecoming week seems to lack significance to us, and I imagine that has something to do with the nature of our campus culture and mascot. We are Redbirds, and more often than not we are prone to fly from the nest on the weekends to places where there is more to do than what Bloomington-Normal has to offer for 18 to 22 year olds. To learn and teach is our mission, and if a graduate of Illinois State University honestly applies such an ethic to their life journey they will constantly better themselves and their community no matter where they nest in the U.S.A. By being valuable educators we gain honor from peers and pupils that is authentic and direct versus having to appropriate honor from a mythologized mascot fostering racism.
6 Indy News
October 12, 2009 Indy
Wrap It Before You Tap It try, Katie Rossi Indy Staff “Safe sex is great sex, better wear a latex,” says Mr. Millionaire Lil Wayne in his remix of Lollipop. This holds true especially for those of us in Redbird Nation where, according to the Student Health Services website, a little over half of us use condoms. Out of the twenty thousand people attending ISU, only ten thousand practice safe sex by using condoms. Talk about what goes around comes around…ewww. Quite obviously getting pregnant is low on the list of priorities for those of us furthering our education at Illinois State, but that’s not all you need to be protected from. I recently watched an MTV film called “Everyone’s Doing It” and the concept was hilariously dramatized but wildly accurate. In high schools across
the counfederal funding is provided if the abstinence program is instituted so students are taught ‘If you have sex, you will get AIDS and die.’ This isn’t entirely false, but is largely inaccurate. There are so many STDs and STIs out there that one can ever be too cautious. This isn’t to scare you, but to inform you…be safe. There are hundreds of sexually transmitted diseases and infections, and not all of them can be treated. Not only should condoms be worn during vaginal sex, but STDs and STIs can be transmitted during anal and oral sex. I have heard often that condoms don’t feel good. What is my response? Neither does herpes. Using a condom doesn’t necessarily save you, you are always at risk. It’s almost
like wearing a seatbelt in the aspect that you will still wear one even though you aren’t guaranteed that it will save your life. A condom is the same idea, you could still become infected, but it is the only source of protection you can offer yourself. Condoms can’t protect you from AIDS which can be transmitted through latex fibers, but as I stated before they can protect you from hundreds of STDs. The Gspot seen around campus offers 3 free condoms per visit, which can protect you for one night of romance. There is also a shot available for women called Gardasil which protects them from HPV which is a common STD. This shot is given three times and quite costly, however has been proven to be very effective and can protect women
Dating Science Saved My Life When the one I loved dumped me in the middle of 2004 it was the nadir in a cycle of behavior that set me on a path to get this part of my life handled. The pain and loss of that relationship was so shocking that I regressed and ran to mother. This step back in my development would lead to the two steps toward being psychologically healthy and happily masculine. I alone, vague in purpose, passive in action, and seemingly destined to repeat the routine of having a lover for two years before the sparks faded and I bored them toward another guy, school, or country. This is why I find crisis to be a beautiful thing, for the stress experienced can activate dormant parts of a persona to take action to heal dysfunction through awareness. By the start of 2007 I sensed I needed help to develop a relationship that is durably fulfilling. I was tired of getting lucky, for I know that I am handsome and have a great heart to offer women. Being less than successful in creating relationships at will baffled me. Thus, I prompted myself to use Google and typed in the query “dating help.” The top result led me to my first dating science guru, David DeAngelo.
Icon for Hire: all its own.What makes Icon for Hire stand out is that they are an band, with a sound A New Rock independent to match. They strike a balance between raw, edgy music which Icon reaches deep into the hearts of Connie Bach Indy Staff
From legends such as Evanescence, to familiar names like Flyleaf, and on down to new bands like Icon for Hire, femaleled rock has a variety of sounds
metal-lovers here in the Midwest, and soft, melodic tones which young, moody teens can relate to. I connected most deeply with the knife-edge EP, one of the two my friend gave me, and it was this, along with the newness of the band, that made me feel it
• Have you noticed an unusual odor or discharge? • Have you noticed a strange blister or open sore? • Do you have pain during intercourse that wasn’t there previously? • Do you have abdominal pain? • Have you noticed any unusual or unexplained swelling? If you experience any of these symptoms, going to a doctor or even health services on campus to pee in a cup or give a little blood can solve all of your worries. Well not really, but then I, nor the kid that just walked past you will get infected. You’ve heard it thousands of times, but we are all barely beginning our lives. A small mistake such as not wearing a condom can drastically change your life. Just remember to cover your stump before you hump.
She Said.
He Said,
By Outlaw29, Attraction is not a choice, it is a trigger that guys are designed to pull, and fire a shot of DNA into the heart and body-mind of every woman met. In the game of attraction there are two types of guys: those who get the language, take action, and get laid versus guys who imagine action, “wussy out”, and “wank it.” Developing my sexuality toward maturation required me to figure out how to change my frequency of communication from wussy to a desirable individuated male. My growth was challenging work, for on the surface, I look like a guy who “gets it.” On the inside of my function I was a wreck of nerves always worrying about a next move in relating and mating rituals. At a deeper level my dysfunction with women could be understood as consequence of having an over bearing mother. Co-dependence is a baffling situation when involving a parent child relationship. The kid has a tendency to get conditioned to be a subservient “good boy”, and thus develops an unassertive personality that fosters guilt when putting self interests first. The sense of guilt pollutes progress in creating a strong willed man with courage to stand behind his convictions. At least that is the story with this reformed wussy.
from cervical cancer. It is recommended for females ages 9-26. It is the only vaccine that can protect us from 4 types of HPV and 2 types of genital warts. Like condoms, seatbelts, and Lysol, it is not 100% effective, but it offers some protection. There are a few symptoms that you be aware of if you are sexually active. If you experience any of these symptoms you should seek medical help because some STDs and STIs can be treated if found in a timely manner. • Is your urine dark and or has a foul scent? • Do you experience a burning sensation when urinating? • Do you have a strange rash or itching sensation? • Do you have any legions, bumps, or warts in the genital or anus area?
Eben Pagan began the Double Your Dating franchise in 2001 on the side of doing real estate work in Southern California, his first product being an e-book with the eponymous company title, which he wrote under the pen name of David DeAngelo. The specifics are not clear as to what led Eben Pagan into a field analysis of mating tendencies between men and women that turned him into David DeAngelo. What is clear is that David DeAngelo has sincerely gotten this part of his life handled and gives his wisdom in a way that promotes high character. “See yourself as ‘high status’, Stop seeking approval, Learn how to read situations before acting or communicating, Get in touch with your personal path or purpose, and stay on it in always” are some of his laws of success with women. When sincerely internalized such mental practices create poise, power, and patience when relating with people in any situation. In engaging a reformative endeavor it is beneficial to begin with the end in mind, my end goal was to meet and attract a women to be my wife. In setting such a high standard for myself the challenge was to honestly address the most needy thinking structures I had manifested would be possible to get in touch. Through the friend of a friend’s father, I got in touch, in the end, with two band members. I interviewed Ariel, lead singer of this unique band from Decatur, on a rainy Thursday afternoon early in October. The band’s originated when Shawn and Adam met through their party lifestyles. Both were passionate about music and both wanted to do something with that passion. The guys play guitar and drums. Soon after col
a b o u t re l at i o n ships. Being needy for a women’s affections are a death nail to creating attraction because it places an unnatural burden on the women’s emotional states. Instead of being stimulated and filled with surprise from an interaction with a guy who needs nothing, she will be guarded and reserved hoping not to carry the emotional weight of another on top of her own. Everything I had been conditioned to learn with women had to go out the window. Essentially, all the ass kissing had to go and I had to learn to be more powerful for myself and not need validation from others for my decision making; the hallmarks of leadership. David DeAngelo taught me the value of taking the lead in all my affairs, letting go of the construct of failure and embracing constructs learning and winning were essential in my mental development. The products David DeAngelo offers can help immensely if one is sincere, but those looking for a quick fix will be deeply disappointed. DeAngelo’s pick up lines that he offers in some of his course work are not mechanical or manipulative. They tend to get exaggerated in effect based upon the level of sincerity in character a guy
conveys to women about his personality. A sub-text in communication develops for a guy that no one interaction with a women is a make or break deal. Thus, tension is created by initiating conversations with attractive women you don’t know by saying things like “Yeah, I know most people think your all stuck up because you’re hot, but I thought I would give you the benefit of the doubt that your cool. So, What’s Up?” Calibration to the social situation is a key component, because if you guys use the example I gave you with a less than hot chick, you are being a needy ass kisser. As stated earlier, I was in a crisis and blessed with a sincere heart my unconscious led me to a mentor who infuses his work with a sense of ethics that meshed well with my developing Confucius mindset. In revealing the dating science community to the Indy world of Illinois State I feel I’m giving up a tremendous advantage I have had in establishing social circles and relating with people. In reality, I doubt most guys around BloomingtonNormal would have the time or energy to fully commit to the path of reformation that dating science offers. Over the course of the school year I will occasionally give a bit of a guidance as to what works and what does not work in the dating science field, so stay tuned for the adventure of my hits and misses in developing the legend of Outlaw29.
The Health Care Debate in Prospective
Most grimly, 18,000 Americans die every year because they cannot afford the treatments needed to keep them alive. Our unjust health care system has killed more Americans then 9/11 and Bridget Baggot the Afghanistan and Indy Alum Iraq war combined. The skyrock At 4 a.m. they began to eting cost of Medicare, governcome. In a west loop Chicago ment health care for the elderly, neighborhood where the million Medicaid, dollar condominiums are slowly and governpushing out the towering housing ment health projects, every morning despite care for the rain, snow and sub zero tempera- e x t r e m e l y tures, they will come and sit on poor, are the dark, dirty sidewalk. As the a major wee hours progress, more and cause of more come. There are mothers our twelve juggling children. There are mid- trillion doldle aged men reading the paper. lar deficit. There are young people clinging The current to their I-pods. They are all there health care for the same reason, they need a system is dentist. The UIC College of Den- amoral and tistry is one of the few places in f i n i c a l l y the Chicago area that will treat suicidal. It the uninsured at an affordable is clear that cost. At 7 a.m. UIC College of health care Dentistry will open its door and is in dire allow the first twenty inside. The need of rerest will be there tomorrow to try form. again. This is what thousands of Americans have to go through in The issue is how to reorder to see a dentist. form health care. A good health It is time to put the health care reform bill will provide care debate back into prospective. health care for everyone while The reason President Obama set making it affordable for both indiout to reform the health care sys- viduals and the government. The tem is because the status quo is current bills aim to make health unacceptable. American consum- care available for all by mandaters spend far more on health care ing health insurance. Mandated then any other county. In return, health insurance means that it we get the worst health care sys- will be illegal to not have insurtem in the developed world. 47 ance. Most people who are unmillion Americas do not have ac- insured cannot afford expensive cess to health care because they private insurance. The proposed cannot afford private insurance. bills will help anyone with a low Thousands of Americans are or middle class income pay for driven into poverty and bank- health insurance by giving them ruptcy because they cannot afford a subsidy. A subsidy means that their enormous health care cost. the government will give citizens
money to purchase health insurance. Mandated health insurance is flawed. The subsidy is unlikely to cover the full cost of health insurance, especially if the cost of insurance continues to rise. This will leave millions of people who are already struggling from the recession scrambling to pay for high insurance cost. The insurance companies love this idea because it will hand them millions of new customers and billons of tax payer dollars. It will also
give them a captive customer to exploit. For now, you can tell the expensive and undeserving insurance companies no and choose to go uninsured. With mandated health insurance, you will have no choice but to buy their crappy policies. This is especially exploitive of our age group. The majority of people between 18 and 25 are uninsured. The current bill will force young people to spend thousands every year on health care, which being young and healthy, we will not use Instead of subsidizing the private health care system that has repeatedly proven itself to be amoral and incompetent, we
What Illinois State University students had to say about the health care reform...
should create a public health care system. The Public Option, a policy which many liberal democrats are trying to incorporate into the health reform bill comes close to this. The Public Option is health insurance that the government will offer. The Public Option is a step in the right direction. If it can be successful with such limited funds it could lead to a public health care system. In every other developed nation the government provides health care to all its citizens. They do so with a significantly lower cost and with the same quality as the US system. Many nations have national health insurance, where the government pays for every citizen’s insurance and health care is as free and public as schools and libraries are here. The result is that only Americans in the developed world have to wait on a cold street corner to see a dentist. Before health care can be reformed to be accessible to everyone, the cost must drastically be reduced. The two causes of the high cost are treatment and medical malpractice. A third of all health care costs are spent on one percent of the population. This one percent is the terminally elderly who are in the last six months of their life. We are spending a fortune give a third round of chemo-therapy to a 92 year olds and doing quadruple bypasses on an 86 year old. This is because ethics have not yet caught up
with technology. Just because we can keep a terminally ill elderly person alive doesn’t mean that we should. Death should be dignified but instead we force our elderly to endure prolonged and painful deaths. The hospice movement allows the elderly to die at home and in as much comfort as possible. The health care reform should require hospices for the elderly. Medical malpractice is another enormous cost. Every doctor and medical professional must have medical malpractice insurance, which is a tremendous expense that can run up to a $100,000 a year. When medical malpractice suits go to court they often pay out in millions of dollars. This cost is passed down to the consumer. It is easy to blame ambulance chasing lawyers but the real problem is that the civil court system isn’t designed to handle medical cases. The civil court system is design for property disputes. Property has a fixed value, so it is easy to limit how much a person can sue for. A person’s health has no fixed value. This is a medical malpractice story, when my mom was a kid my uncle accidentally pushed a stick into my moms eye, badly damaging it. A doctor claimed he could fix my moms eye through a cutting edge surgery. The surgery was disastrous. The damaged eye lost all vision and ended up looking like a grey marble. Ever since, she has lived with limited vision and a deformed appearance. My grandparents decided not to sue, but if they had, how much is to be awarded for half blinding and mutilating a little girl? No amount of money justly compensates such pain. When judges and juries try to place a monetary value on a person’s health and life, they end up with extreme amounts that vary wildly from case to case. Instead See Debate on Page 8
“I don’t really know much about the health care reform.” “I don’t have health insurance”
“Im on my parents health insurance so I don’t really care...” “It seems like a good thing.”
“I don’t agree with it.” Icon from Page 6 lege they met Ariel and formed their own band, and were quickly joined by bass guitarist Josh. The final line-up was completed in 2008. As the conversation progressed, I discovered that, as an independent band, they may one day work with record labels although they only have the financial power to produce in groups of three tracks at a time. Such is evident in their two EPS, the self-titled “Icon for Hire EP” and
“The Gray”. They cater to the digital downloader, who prefers to download through media services. They enjoy their independence and “Not having a big man upstairs, telling us what to do”, said Ariel. The band is independent in every aspect, including their fantastic sound. It is unique in that there are raw, powerful guitars, beautiful melodies, and peaceshattering screaming in some songs and peaceful, melancholy tones in others. The balance is
amazing. Ariel’s sweet sound contrasts with, but balances, the heavy guitars in ways I did not expect. The healthy use of base, excellent drumwork, vocals, and guitar all work seamlessly and form their own personality. The personality of their music extends to their lyrics. Meaning is important to the band. For instance, “The Gray” talks about the difficulty faced by the guitarist, who found himself not moving forward in life. “Call Me Alive” talks about the dullness
of life and the search for the end of the craving for fulfillment. A third of their six released tracks, “Off with her Head” talks about gossip, insecurity, and constantly being judged. As I talked with Ariel, she told me that they try to reach everyone, from pre-teen pop fans to lder rock listeners, and try to have a message in every song. From the band’s unique origins to it’s meaningful sound and lyrics, Icon For Hire can speak to a great range of audienc-
es, from moody teens to Christian rockers and those that make mosh pits their home. They are a band for the next decade and it will be quite interesting to see where they head. All that Ariel asked me in the end is that people who are interested listen to them on MySpace and find them on Facebook. We closed the conversation at that, discussing what she’d like readers to know. Their goal is to expand their fan base and yet maintain independence.
8 Indy Backpage News
The Indy Reviews: Zombieland Grade: B By The Skinny Critic “Zombieland” stars the up and coming actor Jesse Eisenberg as Columbus, an awkward and nervous college student who just happens to be one of the last humans on the planet. The world has been taken over by zombies who walk the earth feasting on humans. Using various “rules” to survive the apocalypse, Columbus just happens to be on his way to Columbus, Ohio to see if his parents are still alive. While traveling on his journey, he crosses paths with Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), a foul mouth and ill mannered survivor, who travels the country looking for his long time favorite treat, Twinkies. Also on their journey, they come across two sisters named Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) who’s main destination is the Pacific Playground, an amusement park outside of LA.
October 12, 2009 Indy As the film continues, the characters soon find a need for each other, and at the same time, kill massive amounts of cannibalistic zombies. With 2009’s craze of zombies and vampires, it’s not surprising that a studio would once again release another zombie film. However, to my surprise, “Zombieland” is a worthy addition to the zombie genre with its humor, solid acting, and the little things in the film that make it stand out from the rest. Jesse Eisenberg (a.k.a Michael Cera 2.0) does an acceptable job as the nerdy teen Columbus. The awkwardness is there, but the real thing that stood out was Eisenberg’s connection to the audience. With the constant narration from Columbus, Eisenberg has that innocent yet friendly undertone that really connects to the viewer. Woody Harrelson does a great job delivering most of the laughs with his obnoxious and charismatic performance. Harrelson is one of the few actors that does an outstanding job playing both comedic and dramatic roles, and in “Zombieland” he proves that point. Breslin and Stone do a passable job with their roles,
ISU Traditions Teresa Washington Indy Staff
Around the homecoming season there becomes a sense of pride and tradition. Tradition according to Webster is the handing down of beliefs, values, legends or customs from generation to generation. This is exactly the reason why we have alumni come back and celebrate during the festivities. Traditions, majority of the time, are the only things that some of us have left of the past. It’s around this Homecoming season that students, faculty, and the whole town start to value the concept of being as one and the importance of being thankful. ISU has been here since 1857 and this quiet community has been bombarded with the vibrant voices of the Illinois State University. It has seen the university grow in populations and the growth of students who later on in life go on to achieve greatness. A tradition such as tailgating before home games, the homecoming parade and homecoming carnival brings about a sense of family. Though people think the community lacks support, I completely disagree. I believe the community embraces the very heart of the university and what it stands to offer the community. I know from a personal standpoint that when homecoming arises I find that the community comes together with love and support. I can walk into any store or
Debate from Page 7 of settling malpractice claims with money their focus should be on the victim. In my mom’s case the doctor and hospital could have been ordered to pay for any treatment which could have healed her eyes. They could have paid for her to attend a summer camp or similar program for disabled children. They could have compensated her by paying for her education, including the cost of the special services she would need. When doctors and hospitals make mistakes that harm their patents, they should do everything possible to heal the damage and improve the patient’s quality of life. This is just and better serves the patient then simple cutting a check. If the over treatment of dying old and medical malpractice are reformed, then the cost of health care will fall sig-
nificantly. There are hundreds of simple things that can also be done to reduce the cost of health care. These are some of the popular suggestions. Encourage preventive medicine, so an obese man loses those extra pounds today, instead of needing treatment for Type 2 Diabetes tomorrow. Tax obesity causing foods the same way we tax cancer causing agents in cigarettes. The current medical records system is not only archaic but expensive, modernize it. Build more community clinics so people can get medical information and preemptive care. Bring back midwives. They drastically reduce the cost of giving birth. Solve the costly nursing shortage by providing tuition incentives for students who major in nursing. Encourage doctors to be general practitioners instead of costly specialists. There is no shortage of good ideas. But few
but personally, their characters seemed vastly underdeveloped compared to Eisenberg’s and Harrelson’s. Obviously, the selling point for
the film is that it is a comedic take on the zombie genre, and by then end, it successfully provides the zombie filled humor. There are a couple of humorous one liners here and there, but the real humor lies in the “little things”. Examples of this would include certain rules that appear on screen and play an integral part in the story (this was probably the highlight of the entire film), the sub-plot involving Tallahassee’s search for Twinkles, and a
small, but absolutely hilarious performance by an A list actor playing himself. Like the film states (Rule #32), “Enjoy the Little Things”, and believe me, I did. There are some downsides to the film however. For starters, there isn’t a very complex story, but then again it’s a zombie film, so a non-existent storyline is pretty much guaranteed. However, the real problem with the film is that half way through the movie it strays away from the zombie centered storyline, to more character development. During this time, we rarely see any action or zombies for that matter, and the film tends to focus more on the characters instead of the zombies. When you have characters that aren’t very developed in the first place, why bother sacrificing valuable zombie killing time for that? Overall, “Zombieland” is an interesting take on the genre. Though it’s not as groundbreaking or witty as “Shawn of the Dead” (yes, I said groundbreaking), or as original as 2006’s “Fido”, in the end, it’s worth the fifteen bucks to go see a movie these days.
business in town and find some form of ISU paraphernalia. Even though there are so many events broadcast for the community throughout the homecoming season, some people may ask why we don’t have these exciting events all year round. They could also say that lack of support could put these little traditions on the back burner. However, many do not recognize that the lack of tradition is due to their ignorance toward the subject or some believe that due to the University’s size that traditions are just apparent. We as students should realize that we make the traditions and continue them as long as we believe in them. Nevertheless, mindsets like those previous stated have stopped the University from branching out for new traditions. So, therefore I challenge everyone to start a new tradition if they feel like the ones in place now are coming to an end. We are living in a time of change so why not change what has been done in the past. Though some argue that there’s lack of tradition on campus, I believe those are the same people who just sit in their dorms and fail to even go out on campus and take advantage of what the university has to offer. Thus resulting in their pitiful excuses of what the university isn’t doing or doesn’t have. Maybe it’s you and not the university. Traditions are the only thing keeping us together. Without those we only have memories.
good ideas have a chance of being implemented because of a dirty political battle that is making true reform impossible. Even though the need to reform health care is dire, and there are ample ideas and example to follow, health care reform is a fiasco. The Republicans have sunk to a new low of dishonesty and viciousness. The purposed bills incorporate John McCain’s and other conservative ideas. Instead of working with Democrats to ensure that their values are incorporated into the bill, they are instead screaming nonsense about death panels and socialism. Conservative protests of health care reform have taken a disturbing turn. Their crowd cheers to threats of violence and wave racist images of Obama as a monkey or an African witch doctor. Former President Jimmy Carter was correct when
he stated that racism is underlying much of the conservatives protest to health care reform. Racism and selfishness are driving these vicious protests. These protesters and the Republican politicians who support them are wealthy people. They enjoy their extensive private health care that they can easily afford. When they are asked to accept a small tax increase or a reduction of some of their benefits so their less fortunate neighbors can have access to basic health care, this is how they react. We need to put such selfishness behind us. Health care is more then just a political issues, it is a moral issue. People are going broke, getting sicker and dying because they cannot afford basic health care. If we allow health care reform to fail then we are allowing unnecessary suffering and death to continue in our county.