Big names, little albums
Theres no question that 2005 has provided one of the more eclectic years for new music releases in recent memory. From the ambitious double album efforts of Bright Eyes and Foo Fighters, to Bloc Partys various releases of their hyped-up Silent Alarm (its most recent incarnation being a remix album), to System of a Downs double metal assault of Mezmerize and Hypnotize, each released at different intervals this year.
Impaled by a CowHurricane over Miami
All right guys and females. I have something important to say. In some ways, what I am about to say is quite tragic. In other ways, it is even more tragic. And in still other ways, it is rather silly, but at least Im coming out with the truth. The thing isand I say this, mind you, while trying to keep a completely straight face by wrapping it very tightly in successive layers of Saran WrapIm from Miami.
Seeking good times…
Its about that time of year again. No, not the time when all TV shows start running those annoying reruns (although thats true). This is the time for all of the complaints about Brandeiss social life to come out of the woodwork. Everyone has a new theory on what the alleged problem is. The weather, the attitudes, too many nerds, whatever. Regardless of what your opinion of the social life here is, theres always a simple solution: Make your own adventures. Were fortunate enough to have one of our nations foremost cities only about a half hours bus ride away.
Grandpas picture
In Mr. Arnolds kindergarten art class we created pictures one day with a new technique. We drew in crayon, then painted over it in solid color. The paint covered the bare spots but ran off the crayons marks so the drawing showed through — a beautiful effect. I painted a house with an evergreen tree and clouds, in a childs typical style, and chose a deep, bright blue to cover it. I liked my picture. My mom did too. She often displayed my schoolwork on the kitchen icebox. Not this one…
First they came for the Communists
I was banned from Brandeis for distributing Revolution, the weekly paper of the Revolutionary Communist Party (R.C.P.), and this fits into a pattern nationally. Critical thinking is under assault, particularly at college campuses. Witness the threats against Ward Churchill, Native American scholar, or David Horowitzs campaign targeting liberal professors with a new witch hunt. As the ruling class acts to normalize torture, unjust war, secret detentions and profiling of Muslims and Arabs, critical thinking and the emergence of a new student movement is seen as a threat.
More exciting than parents weekend?
This weekend was officially Parents Weekend. As such, Brandeis administration rushed to make sure that the school we all enjoy year-round looked nothing like it did when the parents are not here.
The increasing irrelevancy of feminism
In a poll conducted by CBS News in May 2005, 17% of women said that being called a feminist is an insult. Moreover, only 48% think a stronger womens movement is needed. Why is it that women are still insulted by feminism and think that the movement should not gain in numbers? The answer is simple, the feminist movement of today is focusing far to much on fringe issues rather than issues that pertain to the advancement of women in society. The issue has become so bad that polls now show that only 25% of all women are willing to accept the title feminist.
Whats in your computer?
On my computer, youll find OpenOffice.org, Firefox, the GIMP and a variety of other programs that are free. But these programs arent free like that pirated version of office you got from youre uncle, nor are these programs free like those spyware-infested doodads you installed. These programs are actually free.
Letter to the Editor
To the Editor:
I am writing to express my gratitude to Herschel Simon Hartz. Not to comment on his writing, I can safely say that he saved the next eight months of my life!
Unique steps
You might have seen us practicing in the Village, doing a step or two in Sherman during meals, or at the Fall Fest Variety Show on Saturday night. If you did, you might have some idea of what stepping is.
Editorial
Last week we talked about some students needing to be more responsible when it comes to their own drinking. This week, we want to commend the friends of these irresponsible students.
Union acknowledges Rosa Parks in resolution
On Sunday evening, the Brandeis University Senate passed the Rosa Parks Resolution, which honored the life and accomplishments of the Civil Rights matriarch in memorial of her passing on Monday, October 24.
Constant phone patching causes some interruptions
Two weeks ago Brandeis University campus phones were patched in an effort to fix an upgrade from the summer. Phone patching is a process of updating hardware or software that runs the university phone switch. Two types of patching occur: critical updates, which are designed to address a security concern or fix a problem, and planned updates, which add new features and fix problems.
Trustees approve debt for new science buildings
The Board of Trustees approved a motion Wednesday to allow the University to take on $100 million dollars in debt for a new science facility.
SUDAN pursues divestment
The Brandeis chapter of Students Taking Action Now: Darfur (STAND) is about to begin a major campus-wide campaign to convice Brandeis administration to divest its holdings from Sudan.
Student hit by car
At approximately 2:10 pm Wednesday, a female Brandeis student was struck by an unidentified elderly driver as she crossed South Street along the Lindsay Pool area. The accident happened in front of Elan Schefflein 06, BEMCO director and clinical supervisor.
Soccer, anyone?
Soccer has never been Americas game. Actually, its never even been in the top five. Football, baseball, basketball, and even hockey have constantly overshadowed what is easily the most popular sport in the rest of the world. In recent years, even NASCAR has managed to gain more of a hold on the American consciousness than soccer has. Considering the strides that both the mens and womens national teams have made in the last decade, this is a surprising trend. As of the September 2005 rankings, the American men stand at seventh in the world, while the women sit at second, trailing only the Germans. This past August, the mens national team claimed the North American championship in a spectacular Gold Cup against Panama. The men have also qualified for an unprecedented fifth straight World Cup.
WVolleyball classic in recent tourney
The long and winding road does eventually lead to that door;
hopefully Brandeis success in the Judges tournament will lead them up the path of respectability. Following a tough string of matches in which Brandeis went 1 and 8 in the past two weeks, Brandeis came roaring through the Judges Classic to win the tournament, overcoming past defeats and a string of injuries that saw every player take the floor (We had some players playing out of position Coach Kim said). Their tournament came complete with a record-setting performance by libero Shannon Trees 08 who served a record setting consecutive 26 serves that led to Brandeis points.
Swim dives into action
This past week saw the kickoff of the Brandeis swim teams dual meets. On Oct. 26, the mens and womens teams competed against Boston Colleges swim teams. Boston College won both meets. On Oct. 29, Brandeis swept the Keene State College swim teams.
MSoccer coach promises win in the last game
Brandeis began the weekend with a tie, but finished it with a loss against two tough UAA opponents.
The University of Chicago Maroons took the lead early to beat Brandeis 3-1. The win left the Maroons 12-5 and 4-2 in the UAA. The loss dropped the Judges to 6-8-2 and 0-4-2 in conference play.
