The planned construction of a new music building is moving along at little more than a snail's pace, as the University is scampering to secure funding for the project. Plans for the facility, which would replace the Zeta Psi fraternity house and former Academic Resource Center on Professors Row, have grown in both size and expense, causing a number of logistical problems.
Recent updates at Tisch Library have drastically improved the technological capabilities in the facility, crucial at a time when the Eaton computer lab is out of service while under construction. These include a shift to online and electronic resources, as well as several hardware and software improvements. Also, after years of waiting, the Internet ports in the study carrels will be ready for use by next semester. The wiring system for this connection has been in place since the library was built in 1996, but was not used due to a complicated authentication problem between Information Technology Services and the Systems department, according to Charlotte Keys, Assistant Director for Systems. These ports were not considered secure connections, and the University would not have been able to tell whether they were being used by Tufts affiliates or an average person on the street connecting to the Web via the library. Keys said that the kinks in security have been worked out, and the Internet ports will be ready for use soon. All of the computer stations in the library were upgraded and replaced over the summer, and additional e-mail stations will be installed this semester. Last year, two public laser printers were added to the library resources. These changes represent an effort by library administrators to use technology to increase the resources the library offers to students and faculty. "Ten years ago, most of our holdings were on the shelves. Now that is no longer the case," said Director of Administration, Information Technology, and Libraries Paul Stanton. Surveys conducted by library administrators indicate that people have a higher regard for the Tisch library than they did nearly a decade ago, when Tufts was considered inadequate among its counterparts in terms of holdings and resources. "For a library of our type, we are at the head of our class," Head of Reference and Collections Laura Walters said. The library prides itself on being a subscriber to over 1,200 literary and scientific journals and having the full text versions of these subscriptions available to all students. A new user-friendly website was recently introduced, and a basic workshop that teaches users how to search and apply these resources will be held. With these improvements, library administrators maintain that, although Tisch lags behind other universities in actual holdings, it is now leaps and bounds ahead of other schools who are not as advanced technologically. "We can never make up for the years we lagged behind other libraries in terms of what we actually had on our shelves," acknowledged Walters. "But in the past ten years we have earned a very good reputation. We have chosen to put our money into online resources, and we are now considered one of the premier research libraries in the country, even though we are not technically a research facility." None of this would have been possible without access to large amounts of money, of course. Millions of dollars have been spent in the last ten years on revamping the Tufts' library system, culminating in the actual construction of Tisch. Whereas years ago only a few thousand dollars were put into CD-ROMs, Stanton said that almost half a million dollars were spent on them last year alone. Walters added that demand for new technology means that there is a tremendous increase in the cost of operating a library each year. The subscriptions to search engines and online journals each cost several thousand dollars, and the library has also been faced with the cost of accommodating the high level of electronic resources with hardware to support it. Additionally, the fast pace of technology means that this hardware has to be updated on a regular basis. When making decisions, library administrators are always looking to see what enhancements would benefit the students and faculty of the University the most. "We are very concerned with creating strong access points to students," Stanton said. Stanton also pointed out that the technology boom has not been limited to the library, as improvements are being made to Internet connections and computer labs campus-wide.
Coming off a disappointing 3-13 season, Tufts' men's squash team now looks to build upon a base of returning players and a group of new freshmen, hoping the mix of novelty and experience will be the formula for success. The Jumbos' season begins on Friday with a match at Vassar, followed by a date at Hobart the following day. Last year, the squad's ranking rose from the previous year's - from 25th to 24th in the final National Intercollegiate Squash and Racquets Association (NISRA) poll - despite the dismal record and a rare defeat at the hands of arch-rival Connecticut College at Nationals. Following last year's season, Colin O'Higgins, a junior and this year's co-captain, had commented that the team's morale fell after the defeat. Using the loss as a wake-up call, coach Doug Eng, in his seventh year in the position, believes that his team is more than ready for the coming season. "Following last year's failures, the team has rallied support and is ready to go full steam," Eng said. "We're going to try and build momentum throughout the season," he added. Senior co-captain Bennett Kolasinski also believes this year will see marked improvement. "We have a lot more potential than last year," he said. "We realize the things that we need to do in order to achieve." The team has been training for the past two months to prepare for the upcoming season. "I think everybody's in pretty good shape," said Dave Carson, a senior new to the team. Kolasinski concurred with Carson, adding, "some of the players at the top have gotten a lot better." "I'm looking for sophomore Chris Choi's game to improve this year," Kolasinski said. Choi finished last season 2-11, playing in the top tier of the team, but is expected to be among the team's biggest threats this year. He will most likely play at the three spot again. Also at the top of the roster is junior Neil Pallaver, who played in the number one spot last year, O'Higgins, who finished in the top group as well, and senior Dylan McPhetres. Last season, Pallaver came in 1-6, O'Higgins finished 3-10, and McPhetres was 2-11. Despite the returning core up front, Coach Eng feels that the real strength of the team lies in the lower positions. "This is the deepest team we've ever had," he said, "We're good all-around, and the eight and ninth spots will be very solid, better than ever." Junior Shayan Haque, who holds the highest career average on the team with a 13-15 record, will likely play the sixth or seventh position. The only two members of the top nine that the Jumbos lost to graduation were Omar Malik and Cameron Essalat. Both players will be replaced by fresh faces that could spell improvement in the bottom group. Carson and sophomores Michael Gleeson and Nathan Anderson are the non-freshman additions to the squad, while the incoming freshman group consists of Phillip Beatson, Jesse Goldberg, Arman Kamenov, and Kolasinski's younger brother, Jordan. "The new recruits have all have great talent," Kolasinski said. "Arman is going to be great, as is Nathan." Likely, three of the newcomers will be in the top nine, meaning competition at the lower positions could lead to improved play. Still, Kolasinski feels the difference from one through nine will not be significant. "The players at the bottom can already keep up with the players at the top," he said. "The freshmen just need experience. They've got the fundamentals down and know what's going on." The new players will be tested early in the season, as the team is playing Vassar and Hobart, who defeated the group 2-7 and 3-6, respectively, last year. Vassar's season has already begun, with the team beating Haverford on Sunday. "The early matches are going to set the tone for the season," Eng said. "They are going to tell us a lot about ourselves." In the face of what will likely be strong competition, team members seem to be resoundingly confident. Senior Andreas Heiss said "Trinity or nothing," referring to the nation's number one-ranked team, Trinity College. This may not be a realistic goal, because "playing Trinity is like playing a major league baseball team," according to Kolasinski. "They're in another league." The Jumbos' nemesis, Connecticut College, is also scheduled for the season. For some, the goal is revenge, in light of the defeat at Nationals last season. Incidentally, the new head coach at Conn. College, William McNally, was O'Higgins' coach in high school. "It's somewhat of a personal vendetta," he said. Tufts will face Conn. College on February 13. With the season starting on Friday, optimism remains high among team members, which expects to surpass last year's marks. "It's the beginning of a golden period," Kolasinski said. "We're going to be more successful, starting with this year." "We've been a growing team for 2 years," O'Higgins said, "and now we're becoming mature and experienced."
While equestrian may not be the most renowned sport at Tufts, junior Hally Phillips has been making national and international headlines in the past few years for her dominance in the sport. Aside from leading the Tufts equestrian club team to a first-place regional finish last fall, Phillips also won the Collegiate National competition last May. Featured on ESPN for her performance, Phillips distinguished herself as the premier female rider in the nation. Phillips' illustrious riding career began at the tender age of eight, when she first began riding horses with a friend. What began as a fun hobby soon took on more importance in her life, as Phillips started entering competitions at the junior level. Eventually she was regarded as one of the better junior riders in the country and was offered a spot in the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden in November of 1997. Just having graduated high school, Phillips was faced with the dilemma of pursuing a horseback riding dream, or enrolling into college. "It would have been too difficult to be an engineer and practice for this competition, so I decided to take a year off," Phillips said. After a year of horseback riding and guiding whitewater rafting trips in Colorado, the Vermont native entered Tufts, unsure which direction her riding career would take. "I didn't even know that there was an equestrian team here," Phillips said. It did not take long for Philips to adjust to the collegiate level of competition, as she finished first in the region during her sophomore year. The breakthrough performance was enough to earn her a trip to Atlanta to compete at the national level with the 25 best English-style riders in the country at the Cacchione Cup. After the first round, which consisted of a fence course, Phillips found herself in sixth place overall. In the second round, which tested the riders' skills and ability to control the course, Phillips moved up to second place. In the final round, the four remaining riders competed in a flat phase event and Phillips emerged atop the leader board. "It was the biggest event I ever won, just a great feeling," Phillips said. The feeling got even better, when Phillips realized all of the prizes she had won, including a saddle, custom-made boots, a Super Bowl-like ring, a trophy, and $1,500 towards a competition in Switzerland. By taking the top spot at the collegiate level, Phillips earned a spot to represent the United States and the World Championships in Switzerland in July. "It was cool to see all of the international riders," Phillips said. "They use different styles than us Americans." The three American riders competed in Switzerland for a week and came home with a respectable 13th place finish out of 26 teams. Now a junior at Tufts, Phillips continues to compete both at the collegiate level and at the top amateur events in the country. During the fall, she has been practicing at Holly Hill Farm in Cape Cod three days a week. On Monday, Phillips and her horse, named "Copperfield", will travel to Washington D.C. to compete in the Adult Hunters competition, which features the top 25 riders in the nation. While professionals are simply judged on time and number of faults, the amateurs are judged mostly on style. "We are judged on our style, making the riding look easy while getting the job done, being aggressive, yet stylish," Phillips said. "All of those things that your coach is telling you like having a nice position, heels back and elbows in are all important." At 21, Phillips has already established herself as one of the best riders at both the collegiate and amateur levels and should only improve, although she says the Olympics are not in her immediate future. "Of course it [competing in the Olympics] is a goal of mine," Phillips said, "but you need to have an Olympic level horse, which is very expensive. You also have to mature as a rider. Most of the riders in the Olympics are in their 30's." For now Phillips will focus on more tenable goals, and as co-captain of Tufts' equestrian team, will try to lead them to a repeat regional championship performance and a possible appearance at the National Championships.
We like to hold our sporting idols up to social standards and then tear them to pieces when they fail. If they don't conform to our notion of the model citizen, the man or woman of charity, or the team player, they are prime bait for abuse, as if the contract they signed stipulated their behavior must meet standards of perfection. I do it all the time - Carl Everett, Albert Belle, Rasheed Wallace - I can't stand these guys. There's another class of hooligans we like to criticize, sometimes even more, and these guys include the drug addicts, the womanizers, and the lawbreakers. The Dwight Goodens, the John Daleys, the Anthony Masons, the Rae Carruths - addicts and murderers alike. But there comes a point when we forget about that, because it gets ridiculous to criticize off-the-field actions of athletes like they're supposed to be better than the next guy. It you are so obsessed with athletes as to expect them to be perfect citizens, to not screw up, then you need to get a life and stop fantasizing about sports. These guys screw up like you, and when the incidents occur off the court you need to back off or risk completely living vicariously through your favorite ballplayers. Sometimes the pedestal upon which our favorite players once stood gives way and they are left in a courtroom, eyes downcast and face so depressed it seems they'll never smile again, wearing an inmate's jumpsuit and speaking of the will to die. That's pretty much when you should back off with the criticism. I am, of course, speaking about Darryl Strawberry. He was given one more chance to deal with his drug addiction this week, ordered to spend at least another week in jail and to resume chemotherapy for his colon cancer. A couple of years ago, when anyone spoke about giving Darryl another chance - in the form of a George Steinbrenner paycheck - the response was generally sarcastic and critical. Most of us don't like to see athletes get a million chances in the wake of repeated felonies, and while Yankee fans welcomed Straw with open arms, the world saw him as another fallen hero who should have been dead out of luck. But after watching this guy in court last week, if you're still harping on how he screwed it up and doesn't deserve compassion, you are clearly over-obsessed with the athlete-criticism thing. Darryl Strawberry is no longer an athlete; he's a man, and a seemingly empty man at that. He looked lifeless in the that blue jumper, and in an interview with Dateline last night he acknowledged, "My career is over. Done." He filed for free agency from the Yankees this week and won't be donning a New York uniform ever again, or any other uniform for that matter. The only "Daaaaaarryl" chants he'll hear will come from his fellow inmates, should he stay in jail. Yes, he is a fallen superstar. Yes, he continues to get second chances, this time not to do with baseball but with freedom. Yes, his rap sheet is ridiculous. Here's a peek: In 1987, his wife filed for separation and accused him of breaking her nose after a game in 1986. In 1990, he was arrested for alleged assault with a deadly weapon during an argument with his wife, supposedly having threatened her with a .25-caliber semiautomatic handgun. The next week, he entered a center for alcohol rehabilitation. In 1994, he entered the Betty Ford Clinic for substance abuse, and was also indicted on tax evasion charges. In 1995, baseball suspended him for 60 days after he tested positive for cocaine. In 1998, after a couple of stints with the Yanks, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. He had surgery but the cancer had spread to a lymph node. In 1999, he was charged with possession of cocaine and soliciting a prostitute. After more cocaine problems last January, he was arrested last month for violating his parole. Darryl Strawberry is not a good boy, and he probably won't get any better. But I don't think there's a fan ridiculous enough to jump on the anti-Strawberry bandwagon this late in the game. You missed that by a few years. Stick to cursing out Latrell and Everett, guys who screw up on the court and are at least somewhat in their right minds. Okay. Overstatement. But Straw's history should make you realize that athletes aren't special. They're no better than you, and a lot of the time they're a lot more screwed up than you. That means two things: don't over-idolize them, because it's pathetic, and don't harp on them too much, because it's equally pathetic, and it also holds them up to standards they never asked for and likely don't deserve. Baseball is a fun game to watch, a fun game to play, and the players are worth their fan-value in terms of entertainment and talent.But that's where it ends. While the Mets and Yanks were busy giving New York its long-desired fantasy in the form of a Subway Series, Strawberry was caught smoking cocaine yet again. When the Series was over, he was in court and his buddy Dwight Gooden was there, watching him because he can sympathize. All you have to do to bring all athletes down off that pedestal is to picture Strawberry and Gooden winning it all with the Mets in 1986, think of the careers that lay in wait for these promising young superstars. Then fast forward 14 years to one of them in a courtroom watching the other saying he wants to die because of his problems with drugs. I feel bad for Darryl, though I certainly can't relate. I can't relate to him as a ballplayer, though as a fan I can criticize that, but more importantly I can't relate to him as a crack addict, which has nothing to do with his ability to swing a bat. If you feel like criticizing the guy, or anyone other athlete, for off-the-court problems, just remember the only thing they're expected to do better than you is to play their sport.
Whoa - what a week for new releases! You've got your touching feel-good film, your stylistic druggie cult-classic, your kung-fu fighting, and your sex appeal. If ever there was a weekend to spend in the theaters, this is it.Pay It ForwardDirected by: Mimi LederStarring: Haley Joel Osmet, Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt We all fell in love with the pint-sized super-talent Haley Joel Osmet in the role that got him an Academy Award nomination as the little boy in The Sixth Sense. Osmet, who once played Murphy Brown's child Avery on the television series and Forrest Gump's child in the blockbuster movie, returns to the screen opposite Helen Hunt and Kevin Spacey. With a starring cast like that, and supporting cast members like Jon Bon Jovi, Angie Dickinson and Jay Mohr, Pay It Forward is a formula for success. The story follows social studies teacher Eugene Simonet's (Kevin Spacey) seventh grade class as they are assigned to look at their world and fix what they don't like. Trevor McKinney (Osmet) takes the assignment to heart, and puts Simonet's idea of "paying it forward" into action. "Paying it forward" is the idea that if you do something nice for three people, and each one of them does something nice for three more people, good deeds expand exponentially around the world... and one person can start it. Trevor starts big, by trying to fix up his single mother (Helen Hunt) with his physically scarred teacher. It is the little things he does, like giving a homeless man a place to sleep and shower, that attract the attention of the press and pitch "pay it forward" to the world. Directed by Mimi Leder (The Peacemaker, Deep Impact), the film is bound to be full of clever camera movements as well.Requiem for a DreamDirected by: Darren AronofskyStarring: Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans Following the success of his 1998 low-budget release Pi, director Aronofksy offers his audience an equally artistic and unexpected film, Requiem for a Dream. Depending on your tastes, you will either love or hate this film... and unfortunately for Aronofsky, the average movie-goer will probably hate it. Comparable to Magnolia in artistic vision, critical acclaim and audience rejection, Requiem will immerse its audience in multiple story lines punctuated with a unique visual style. The plot, if it could be called that, involves Harry (Jared Leto) and Tyrone (Marlon Wayans), two drug dealers looking for the perfect deal. Simultaneously, we follow Harry's mother Sara (Ellen Burstyn) and her own addiction to television and diet pills. The stories converge in an unforgettable climax that is not for the faint of heart. Pay close attention to the cinematography, as Aronofsky uses fast and slow motion, split screens and innovative cutting to replicate the druggie experience.The Legend of Drunken MasterDirected by: Lau Kar LeungStarring: Jackie Chan, Wing-Fong Ho, Mack Houghton, Chin Kar Lok Don't try this at home. It's a Jackie Chan movie, enough said. His name alone conjures up images of fantastic stunts and awe-inspiring agility. In 1979, Drunken Master made Jackie Chan famous and now, 21 years later (and none the worse for the age, we might add), Chan returns to his roots. Wong Fei-Hong (Chan) is a fighter whose abilities increase ten-fold when he's drunk. How can this movie go wrong? Chan films have never before suffered from their loose plot structure. In fact it's all part of the show. So go for the spectacular stunts and hand-to-hand combat. In case you're interested in the story, though, Chan stars as a specialist in a fighting style called Drunken Boxing who stumbles on a group of Chinese helping the British to ship valuable artifacts out of China. This second installment in the series was originally released in 1994, but this is the first time the film will be on screens in the US.BedazzledDirected by: Harold RamisStarring: Brendan Fraser, Elizabeth Hurley We always knew Elizabeth Hurley was the devil. How else could she snag a hunk like Hugh? Sure, being a supermodel didn't hurt her chances any. Now, she's paired with Canadian cutie Brendan Fraser for Bedazzled, one of the best-looking movies of the year; definitely of the week. In a modern take on an idea that originated with Christopher Marlowe's Dr. Faustas, Fraser plays a geek who sells his soul to the devil, played seductively by Hurley who prances around in "cute" and barely there outfits, the embodiment of temptation. In exchange for his soul, she gives him seven wishes, among which is included a hamburger and the chance to be a basketball star. Entertaining and harmless, it looks like a fun flick for distraction, but nothing substantial. Unless you count it as proof that models really are evil....
Dina Karam's viewpoint ("Where is all this dark Israeli Hatred Coming from," 10/17) on the recent Israeli-Palestinian violence shows an inherent lack of understanding of the core social and religious conflict between the two cultures. While the violence that has occurred on both sides has been, and continues to be, deplorable, one must understand that Israel has as a nation and as a people been attacked physically and politically for centuries, and continues to be today. From the time of the Diaspora centuries ago until 1948, Israel's future as a nation and a culture hung in the balance, as Jews were persecuted worldwide for their beliefs and practices. Nearly every generation of Jews during the past thousand years has seen persecution of one sort or another, whether it be in the form of mass genocide, forced conversion to Christianity, or societal prejudice. In many ways, the aggressive Israeli reaction to internal destabilizations, such as Palestinian riots, is a reflection upon their determination to preserve their homeland which should represent a peaceful refuge from anti-Semitism, in the face of constant challenges to its borders and way of life. In this respect, Karam is incorrect in stating that "Israel is here to stay and the Arabs are not even challenging that anymore." The state of Israel as it exists today can by no means be assumed to be a stable and permanent fixture. The violence that has taken place within the last few weeks is appalling and is never the correct solution, but Israel's reaction and the ensuing escalation of violence is not a random "psyche of hatred," but rather an indication of the significant tension that has developed with two cultures and religions claiming the same homeland. It is worth noting that tension and violence between the Israeli and Palestinian cultures has existed for centuries, and while it was certainly exacerbated by the creation of an Israeli state in 1948, it is much more deeply rooted historically, religiously, and socially than that event. However, that is not to say that the two religions and cultures are not capable of peacefully living and worshipping together; in fact, the opposite is the case for the majority of Jews and Arabs in the region. In the cases of both parties, it is mostly rogue individuals rather than state-sanctioned groups committing the truly extreme and uncalled-for acts of violence, as in the mob-instigated murder of the captured Israeli soldiers. It may take as many centuries to create a peaceful solution to the problem as it did to create it, but in the meantime the rest of the world must work to truly understand both cultures and the deep-seated cultural tensions that exist. We must believe that both cultures can work together to bring about stability and peace to the Middle East.Matt Dysart is a freshman who has not yet chosen a major.
The Beatles are back! And for our generation, they're back for the first time. In the re-release of their 1964 film, A Hard Day's Night, the Beatles star as themselves doing what they do best: singing and running for their lives from swarms of adoring female fans. The film boasts a fresh new print and a digitally restored soundtrack, but the '60s look and attitude fortunately haven't been touched. Director Richard Lester's masterpiece is left intact to be appreciated yet again by an entirely new generation of impressionable teens - as well as their still-rabid parents. This Beatles flick is a hilarious take on the "difficult" lives of rock stars. Being hunted by screaming girls from one place to the next, the boys from Britain never get to sit down. Plus they're so busy being interviewed at press conferences they don't even have time to get a beer. And whether they're on a train, in a park, or at the studio, they just can't stop singing. Making no attempt to spit out some silly story line, A Hard Day's Night gets straight to the good stuff - the boys themselves. The camera adulates their every facial expression and focuses on their every pore. Seriously, more time is focused on the faces of John, Paul, George, and Ringo than on the scenes themselves. This is not necessarily a bad thing. If there is anything to learn by staring deep into the eyes of these boys, it's that they are adorable, fun-loving, charming gentlemen. It's not hard to see why Mom had such a crush on them back in the day. The film takes on a rock-and-roll musical format, and the boys sing in different situations with varying backgrounds. Sometimes their music just serves as a background noise during the numerous chase scenes. Many of the Beatles' early hits are accounted for, including "Can't Buy Me Love," "Hard Day's Night," "All My Loving," and "She Loves You." In between songs, the audience is entertained with skits featuring each of the Beatles. Ringo decides he's unappreciated by his friends and runs away, George is bemused by fashion designers, John is confronted by a lady who convinces herself that he is not John Lennon and looks nothing like him, and Paul is distracted intermittently by his mischievous grandfather who is more trouble than anyone can handle. It sounds horribly tacky - and it is - but the music delivers and that's the important part. Plus, it paints a wonderful picture of the boys as the best of friends behind the scenes, always goofing off and making mischief. By the end of the film, with no facial features left un-filmed and no one-liners left unsaid, the camera makes a 180-degree turn and puts the screaming, sweating, crying, and fainting female fans in the spotlight. And all over some goof-off boys with wacky hair - making it sound suspiciously like the modern boy-band phenomenon. All in all, it's pure Beatles bliss. Listen to their hits, watch them sing and be merry, and feel the excitement. There's more to these guys then mop-head hairdos and black suits. The Beatles were real performers. They knew how to get the audiences dancing. And cut Mom a break. In 1964, you would have been screaming right alongside her.
First he broke up with longtime (and highly popular) partner Bill MacNeil. Next he admitted to not having voted since the 1960s. Now comes another shocker from Jim Lehrer, the host of PBS' Newshour and the moderator for all three of this year's Presidential debates. Lehrer was "totally soused" during all three debates. The admission has embarrassed the bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates, and sent shockwaves through the throngs of undecided voters. "I am still unsure how this will affect my vote exactly," one undecided voter said. Lehrer copped to his drunkenness after a reporter asked him about what he was thinking during the debate, and why he didn't stop Al Gore from breaking the rules in the third and final debate this past Tuesday. "I didn't even notice that the candidates were breaking the rules. I was toasted, dude. Totally soused. You know what I was thinking about? What if people stopped cutting off the umbilical cords of newborns, and the babies grew up with them as an organic ornament? It could be like the fad a few years ago when people kept the tags on their baseball caps. That is what I was thinking," he said.Lehrer told the Daily that before each debate he was locked in a hotel suite with the briefcase full of questions. Each time, he said, "I tore into the hotel mini-bar like George W. Bush into a gram of cocaine." Friends of Lehrer are not at all surprised at his behavior, as ever since the departure of MacNeill from The Newshour, he has been in the grips of a volatile emotional roller coaster."He hasn't been the same since MacNeil left him. He keeps talking about him like he is still on the program, and occasionally he tries cutting to him, and the other commentators have to save the show. One recent night he said, 'And now for an in depth look at the Middle Eastern crisis here is my partner Bill MacNeil.' We shouted to him in his earpiece that MacNeil is not on the show anymore, and he goes, 'Where the hell did he go? Why did you leave me Billy? All alone to do the news by myself. I thought you loved me!' This guy is totally off his rocker," a producer for the show said.Lehrer himself has admitted to missing MacNeil, saying, "It is hard for me to moderate a debate knowing he isn't in the audience or sitting next to me. During the last debate I kept thinking, what would B think of this? That is the way it was with us, B and J forever. It is carved into a desk on the PBS set. Whenever a candidate would crack a joke I thought of B. I bet he would have laughed and laughed, that sweet, cute, and innocent laugh of his, capped with a little snort. Always with the little snort. Oh how he used to snort. What a chortle he had," he said. Looking back on the three debates it becomes obvious that Lehrer was not all there.He raised eyebrows during the first debate with his off-color introduction of the candidates: "This debate is brought to you by the Bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates, and by Peach Schnapps, the most fantabulistic alcoholic beverage." The odd moment was smoothed over when both candidates said, "I agree with that Jim," and Gore interrupted Lehrer's first question to say, "This is an important difference between us Jim, I agree with you more than my opponent."During the second debate Lehrer was caught on the C-Span debate pre-game show leaning over to George W. Bush and saying, "I love you man. I mean it, I really, really love you. What do ya say you ditch the old ball and chain and come party with me back at the hotel?" Once the network cameras started rolling Lehrer seemed more normal, although the candidates were so weirded out by the earlier incident that they were afraid to say anything controversial that could incur a follow up question from the moderator.Finally, during the third debate, Lehrer had an incident with his specially-crafted swivel desk chair. Producers of the debate contemplated cutting to a commercial when Lehrer began twirling himself around in the chair. "Wee, look at me. I'm moderating a debate. Holy Shiite Muslim. Spinning around, spinning around, spin, spin, spin, spinning around! Look you stupid indecisive people, I am spinning around. I wanted to spin around so now I am spinning, no deliberating for a year, just spinning. Uh oh, I think I am going to be sick," Lehrer said before vomiting on the floor next to the Vice President, thereby forcing Gore to stand close to Governor Bush for most of the debate. Luckily there were only three people watching the debate at that moment, since everyone else in America had turned channels to check the score of the baseball game on NBC, and then forgot what they were watching before they had changed the channel. The remaining viewer was treated to Lehrer's scolding of a female questioner. He interrupted her on the basis of her physical appearance, and proceeded to ask his own question: "Shut the hell up you hag. (Turning to the camera) To the viewers at home, I would like to apologize for allowing such a hideous looking woman to appear on your television screens. It was unintentional and will never happen again. In place of her ugly question, I will now ask my own. Vice President Gore, how hot are your daughters, and how do they compare to Governor Bush's twins?" he said.Lehrer's misbehavior raises the prospect of three more "do-over" debates. A spokesperson for Vice President Gore said his candidate would take part in all such events. "The Vice President will debate anytime, anywhere, he will not sit in his lockbox," he said. Governor Bush's spokesperson had a more nuanced answer: "If he is not for the debates, then he is against them. If he is for them, then he may not be hesitant to be against or for them. This is just another example of partisan politics and Gore's Washington-centric campaign. George W. Bush will not stand for such fuzzy math, a thousand points of light, stay the course," she said.In an effort to get more viewership for the new series of debates, the campaigns have agreed to a mystery moderator, chosen from the vast pool of rejected applicants for Real World/Road Rules and Survivor/Big Brother. "This should be great, I love Rudy," George W. Bush said. The Daily tried calling other US and world leaders to get their opinions on 'debategate,' but all we got was voice mailboxes. Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell, who will be speaking at Tufts next month, had this to say on his voice mail: "I'm gonna be Secretary of State. Hey hey, ho ho, leave a message for I got to go...." Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Richard B. Cheney's voice mail said, "I am not here to take your message because I picked myself to be vice president." Finally we tried the President of the Commission on Presidential Debates, whose voice mail said, "This is not the Commission on Presidential Debates Mr. Nader. You have the wrong number."
Students packed into the Hillel synagogue Tuesday evening to hear Rabbi Leonid Feldman speak about a hot political topic - the selection of Joe Lieberman as the Democratic vice presidential candidate.
We are writing in response to Craig Waldman's column, "Lessons in Diplomacy," (9/21) in which he took the administration of the Fletcher School to task for the selection of Stephen Bosworth as its next dean. This Viewpoint is irresponsible, uninformed, and insults the incoming dean in the most egregious manner for no reason we can think of, save perhaps for the unpardonable crime of not being a household name.
This Monday night's edition of WWF RAW marked the program's first airing on TNN and was one to remember. By recycling several matches from Sunday's Pay-Per-View special, Unforgiven, and by further complicating the already elaborate storylines, RAW managed to keep the audience on the edge of its seats for the entire two-hour program.
The 1999-2000 men's hockey campaign produced a 9-3-1 ECAC record, good enough to seed the Jumbos third in the league tournament and guarantee their first home playoff game in team history. But if the team wants to repeat, it will have some serious obstacles to overcome. This year's squad, which kicks off its season with a home game on Sunday against Suffolk, must cope with the losses of last year's two top scorers ? Scott Sullivan, who scored 18 goals and tallied 22 assists, and the legendary Drew Carleton, a three-year All-Star and two-year captain. Carleton netted a team-high 28 goals while picking up 13 assists last season, on the way to 148 points in 74 career games. "He's a big reason why we were a playoff team two straight years, and he really finished at his best," third-year coach Brian Murphy said. "He should be remembered as one of the greats to ever play at Tufts." With the loss of two emotional and statistically productive leaders, one would think equaling last season's success would be difficult, even impossible. Not so, says Murphy. "We have the potential to be the best defensive team in the league," he said. "We expect to be better this year, we have only improved." Murphy's confidence may actually be more than just blanket optimism. The Jumbos return 23 lettermen from the squad that advanced to the league semi-finals. The defense is anchored by tri-captain Dan Mahoney, an All-ECAC selection and the only non-senior named to the All-New England squad last season. He also chipped in 19 points. "He's everything you want a player to be," Murphy said of his star defenseman. Sophomore Dan Reinhard, a strong skater who brings physical intensity, senior Justin Picone, the team's biggest hitter, and junior Chad Pesini, a poised player expected to net a great deal of ice time will all help Mahoney on the blue line. Also returning from last year's defensive unit are sophomore Chris Martin, a player Mahoney called "most improved," and junior Rob Green, a veteran with a firm grasp of the system, all return from last year's defensive unit. Although the defense will undoubtedly be stingy, the key to a successful season may rest on the backs of two Jumbos: junior forward Jason Boudrow and freshman goalie Ben Crapser. Crapser looks to fill the shoes of junior goalie Ian Kell, who is abroad. He started in goal each of the last two seasons, and the team will now have to deal with the uncertainty of a fresh commodity between the pipes. Kell tallied an 8-3-1 record with two shutouts last season, saved 89.9 percent of the shots taken on him, and registered a minute 2.66 goal against average in league play. Mahoney says that his new goalkeeper shouldn't be too far off Kell's marks, and has made a quick adjustment to the speed and intensity of college play. "He's up to the task," Mahoney said. "He's got what it takes." "The adjustment freshmen make is not only about hockey," coach Murphy said. "Getting them acclimated to a life away from home where they don't always sleep or eat right is a daunting task. But this guy is good. Very, very good." Boudrow, on the other hand, owns an impressive collegiate record. Two seasons ago, the junior led the league in scoring average with 1.33 goals per game, good for second in the nation and an All-New England mention. He also took home the ECAC Rookie of the Year award. Boudrow didn't play last year due to ineligibility, though, making his return a potentially powerful boost to the squad's production. "Jason is definitely not an X-factor," Mahoney said. "He's an incredibly talented and proven player. His production is necessary. He's a marked man and he'll open the ice up. We expect him to pick up a lot of the slack. We'll need the other forwards to step it up." The returning forwards are anything but unproven. Mike Carcero and Rob LaQuaglia were two of the league's top rookies last season, scoring 32 and 25 points, respectively. Senior tri-captain Natan Obed returns off of his 19-point winter, as does tri-captain Scott Hayes. Jordan Karp, a junior, will also be a key contributor and Pat Byrne, a standout freshman, looks to maintain his grasp on a second line spot. With great potential and high expectations, the 2000-2001 hockey team kicks off play this Sunday afternoon at 2 pm at the Harvard ice arena against Suffolk. The Jumbos entered the season ranked fifth in the ECAC coaches poll, but they feel that they can be the best team in the league. "Every kid on this team knows that we have the potential to win," Mahoney said. Suffolk on the other hand is a struggling team, ranked 13th in the preseason poll, but the Jumbos certainly aren't taking their lackluster opponent lightly. "Their top three or four players are really good," Murphy said. "It's a league game and we have to win. They're a good team and you can't underestimate them."
The women's volleyball ended the season 18-18 after a 2-2 showing at the NESCAC Tournament this past weekend, good for a sixth-place finish in the Conference. "At this point, I am happy with the overall season," coach Kris Talon said. "We redoubled our efforts as a group at the end of the season and our effort was better. A .500 record is better than last year. We are ranked 12th in New England. One hundred percent of our losses were to teams in the top ten. We had the toughest schedule in New England, but we gave everything we had." In the last tournament that three Tufts seniors played in, the team strutted its stuff to a .500 weekend. Karen Sillers, who is third on the team in kills, Nancy Phear, and Kyre Austin all donned Jumbo uniforms for the final time, and finished their careers by topping Williams and losing to Wesleyan on the final day of the two-day competition. The squad faced Bowdoin on Friday and walked away with a 3-0 blowout, but fell hard to Amherst, 3-1. "This past week we really focused and had a great practices," freshman Danielle Cafasso said, "which led to a good weekend at the NESCACs. Our defense and serving were excellent." Against Williams, which Tufts beat earlier in the season, the team came through in a closely contested match (16-14, 15-9, 11-15, 12-15, 15-13). "Last time we faced them we lost the first two and then came back to win the last three," Talon said. "However, in this match, we won the first two and then held on to win it in five. This was a huge win because, if we didn't win, we wouldn't have a chance to be .500." Aiding Cronin on the offense was junior Jess Stewart, who pounded her way to 15 kills while serving five aces and digging 19 times. "Jess probably had the best match of the weekend," Talon said. "Kyre [Austin] served very well and improved her consistency." Austin served five aces, while setting and hammering five kills of her own. Prior to topping Williams, Tufts lost a tough fight with Wesleyan, which it had lost to in five games earlier in the season. Each game went to double digits, as the Cardinals held on to win 14-16, 11-15, 15-10, 14-16. The "Killer S's" (Stewart and senior Karen Sillers) were off their mark during this game, slamming 19 kills, but making nine attacking errors, which resulted in a combined attack average of .141. "[Wesleyan] improved," Talon said. "Especially their middle offense. If we had beat Williams in three liked we wanted to, we might have been less tired and played better. We went outside more and served well." The Jumbos began the NESCAC Tourney with an easy win against Bowdoin, their second such win on the season (15-2, 15-9, and 15-9). "[Bowdoin] is weak," Talon said. "They don't have weapons like we have. The starters played in the first game and we beat them 15-2. Then our back-ups, who are very good players themselves, played the rest of the match. Amy and Kyre stayed in there... Our back-ups are better than Bowdoin's starters." Austin served two service aces and crushed two kills into the floor, while Megan Pitcavage had ten digs and two kills on the match. The first day ended with a loss to Amherst, which is ranked number two in the conference, in four games. The squad stayed close in the first two matches, never losing by more than three points (15-13, 15-12); however, it was able to pull a win off in the third game, 15-9. But the Brown and Blue lost the fight in the fourth game, 15-9. Cronin led the day with 16 kills, an attacking average of .433, one service ace, and two blocks. Despite Stewart having ten kills on the day, she balanced it with ten attacking errors, leaving her with an attacking percentage of .000. She made up for the mediocre offense with 16 digs and two service aces. "We were playing defense, serving, and passing," Talon said. "We played much better, but our offense didn't get it done... Amy played one of the best, if not the best, match of her season... Offensively, we made too many errors. We were in a position to win because we worked so hard on defense and serve receive. We just didn't get it done." The team is already looking forward to building on this season's experience. "We need to improve our consistency," Talon said. "We need to be tougher mentally and win more close games. It is hard to say goodbye to any player, especially this year's seniors. 'Bear' (Sillers) was a two-year captain who played most of the time. Kyre was a three-year starter. Nancy [Phear] was a big part of the defense this year and improved a lot over her career.... But I am excited to see that we will basically have the same team as this year, next year."
What do kids, Tufts, and Halloween have in common? Halloween on the Hill of course, an annual event organized by the Tufts Community Union Senate and student volunteers to entertain local area children. This year's program began yesterday at 2 p.m. with activities and games in the Carmichael Lounge and trick-or-treating at a Haunted House in West Hall. The kids ranged in age from two to ten years old, including a bumblebee, age two, and Superman, age one. Superman's mother, Paula Padre, accompanied the 19-month-old to the activity stations in Carmichael. "The kids are enjoying themselves," Padre said as she and Superman took a breather from the numerous activities. It was the first Halloween on the Hill for both mother and son. The stations in Carmichael included a cookie decorating corner, face painting, a mummy wrap, a bean bag toss, a reading room, and a 'Touch and Feel Mystery' corner. Some of the volunteers seemed to be having as much, if not more, fun than their younger guests. While some arrived in typical college student attire, other volunteers' costumes ranged from a witch telling stories in the Reading Room, to a guy featuring a realistic-looking Afro straight from the '70s, complete with a track suit, guiding kids to the mummy wrap. "I'm glad that I volunteered," said freshman Henry Myint as he picked up some tissue paper for the wrap. "It's good to help kids, and it seems like they're having a lot of fun.... The volunteers are really getting into it." Kids and volunteers braved the snow flurries and 30-degree weather on Sunday to participate in the event. "It's a smaller group than past years," said senator Moira Poe, the event's organizer. "But considering the weather today, we're happy at the turnout of children." Some of the children who came in previous years recognized returning volunteers. "It's fun seeing the different costumes and how much the returning kids have grown over the last year. Some kids who were quiet last year are now running around the place this year," she said. Poe added that the schools around Tufts are already familiar with the event and the senate notifies the schools' superintendents and teachers, who give out permission slips for the children's parents to sign. To get volunteers, Poe and senior senator Alessandro Terenzoni e-mailed organizations and contacted dorm residents. The event was organized jointly by Poe and Terenzoni. Volunteers from different organizations such as the Leonard Carmichael Society and the Child Development Center helped supervise the children. Additional volunteers from dorms, such as Carmichael, Hill, and West Hall, also helped out with the carnival games and activities fair.
The federal government is poised to begin an investigation of possible misuse of federal funds by the University in the construction of a new nutrition center, and has frozen millions of dollars in aid to the project, pending the results of the inquiry. The Inspector General's Office of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued an internal report questioning Tufts' use of federal funds in constructing the new building, which would house its Center for Hunger, Poverty, and Nutrition Policy (CHPNP). Following the agency's findings, Under-Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics Miley Gonzalez suspended further expenditures on the facility pending a comprehensive review of the University's plans. The USDA report, which is addressed to Mississippi Senator Thad Cochran, chairman of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies, alleges that Tufts made significant changes to "the configuration and scope of nutrition policy and communications programs that have resulted in a major departure from the project as it was first represented to Congress in 1991." The document also questions the continued validity of the grant in light of former CHPNP Director Dr. Larry Brown's departure from Tufts last June. Brown, who has since moved his research to Brandeis University, sparked the investigation when he filed a complaint with the USDA alleging that Tufts had diverted federal funds earmarked for the CHPNP to purposes not authorized by Congress. The original grant proposed to "bring together the social sciences programs of the new Center, now on the Medford campus, with the existing biomedical programs on the Boston campus." Brown interpreted the proposal's wording as referring specifically to social science programs, as well as increased interaction with biomedical researchers. University officials, however, have said that all current CHPNP programs, including those which are more "medical" in nature, are within the scope of the original grant. Specifically, Brown objected to the University's initial plans to include a "nutritional epidemiology" program in the facility, which he believed to be of a more clinical nature than was intended by the USDA grant. "Dr. Brown stated that as the project director for the Building and Facilities Program grant he was ordered by the Vice President of Tufts [Steve Manos] to endorse certain changes to the plan that would 'divert or reallocate one-third of the facility space' to other unauthorized purposes,'" the report reads. "Dr. Brown said he had declined to authorize these changes because he believed they would 'subvert the clear Congressional intent' and preclude the 'use of the facility for the program which Congress funded.'" The University recently eliminated the nutritional epidemiology program from its proposal. Nevertheless, the Inspector General report called for a full review of the entire program to ensure that it is within the scope of the Congressional grant. Calling the document a "contradictory report," Manos, Tufts' executive vice president, defended the proposed expenditures and denied allegations that the University tried to hide its plans from the federal government. "[Brown] objected to certain aspects of the plans," Manos said. "This was a grant to the University, and in the end, the University has to make a decision about the use of its resources.... All of these things have been discussed openly and fairly." Dean of Tufts' School of Nutrition, Science, and Policy Dr. Irwin Rosenberg yesterday defended the CHPNP's plans. "The outlay of funds has been frozen until this final review is complete," he said. "The depth and breadth of the program that we're presenting is well within the original intent [of the grant]." Rosenberg, Manos, and Associate Provost of Research Peggy Newell called the government report a communication between two branches of the USDA and emphasized that it was never intended for distribution outside the agency. "I personally asked at least three different officials at the USDA for a copy of this report, and was told that this was an internal document that we would never have received," said Newell. "Typically this report would be a starting point within the agency, the program people would go back and forth, and at the end of that process, if they couldn't resolve all of the issues, then they would come to us.... It's a way of placing things on hold." Newell said she is optimistic that in the end, the USDA will conclude that Tufts' proposed programs are well within the scope of the original grant. "The USDA will come back to Tufts and will look at the program, and to be honest with you, I think we look forward to the opportunity to lay some of these issues to rest," she said. While Brown declined official comment on the specifics of the disagreement, he did acknowledge his initial role in the proceedings. "I am aware of the federal investigation but would really prefer not to comment at this time," he said. Both Newell and Manos denied any implication that Brown's initial objections were stifled by the administration. "At no point was he ever stopped from airing his views, he had free reign of communication," Newell said. "The last thing the University is in the business of doing is stifling people," Manos added. The Inspector General has numerous options, including approving Tufts' additional programs, forcing the University to alter their proposals, or transferring the money entirely to Brown's new center at Brandeis, where he has continued work that began at Tufts.
In the last few weeks, signs around campus have solicited submissions for TuftsScope, a new Journal for Health, Policy, and Ethics that is being sponsored by the Tufts Pre-Medical Society. The publication is a small part of a larger effort by the Society to shed its label as a strictly pre-professional group by attracting students with interest in the field who may not necessarily be looking for a profession in medicine. The Pre-Medical Society has spent the semester trying to redefine itself as an umbrella organization for bioethics, community health, and community outreach. They are currently searching for a new name that better represents their new role. One of the main draws of the Pre-Medical Society is its new journal, TuftsScope, which discusses current issues in bioethics as well as other healthcare related topics, especially those that deal with government and policy. TuftsScope will be published for the first time in late January or early February. In addition to the creation of TuftsScope, the Pre-Medical Society has brought in several speakers and organized campus activities with the goal of giving students a chance to pursue their interest in medical and health care issues. The Bioethics committee organized a "Campus Center Kiosk Series" to facilitate discussions on various bioethical issues, and the Society plans on sponsoring a Tufts Health week next semester. "Many people on the Tufts Campus are interested in these things already, they just don't want to be lumped into the pre-med label," President Brad Crotty said. "Most of these people are community health participants, but some are also econ majors, political science majors, etc. who are interested in the many other aspects of health care besides medicine. Our hope is that by breaking down the label of 'pre-med,' we can have a multi-faceted student organization that accomplishes all of those things." The Pre-Medical Society created several different committees that work with the various areas included under the club's umbrella. According to Co-President Anna Zelfond, breaking the large group down into smaller committees has generated more interest in the club because it gives students more opportunities to participate in its activities. "The cool thing about it is that anybody who wants to get involved and be a leader on campus can," she said. "It's very open to new people coming in and contributing their ideas and making a difference. The Society also revamped its website this fall, and according to Zelfond, it has served as a useful resource to students interested either in the club or in a medical career. It provides members with information about the medical school admission test, the MCAT, the admissions process, and volunteer and research opportunities in the health care field. The group will soon become a chapter of the American Medical Student Association. Students have responded positively to changes in the Pre-Medical Society, and Zelfond said that she has seen a sizeable increase in interest in membership. "At the beginning of the semester, for the first month and a half, I was getting e-mails almost every single day asking to be put on the list or for the website," she said. "I definitely think that the Society is a great source of information for people. I think we're a really good source for people. "It's a good group because it helps you prepare to be a doctor, not become a doctor; they get involved in the community, and prepare you to be involved in all the issues that come with being a doctor," freshman Milani Patel said.
I am writing in reference to the letter to the editor from Nov. 2 entitled "Hispanics are now seen as white". First of all, I think it is very important to clarify the misconception that Latinos/Hispanics represent a racial group. Latinos can be white, black, indigenous or a blend. The "white/non-Hispanic" category on the Census reflects this reality. While light-skinned Latinos may be able to assimilate more easily, the same is not true for black and indigenous Latinos, which represent the majority of Latinos in this country. Personally, I don't see any strong evidence that Latinos are assimilating. In fact, what I see is a growing number of Latinos and continued immigration into the United States from Latin America and the Caribbean that will serve to strengthen the culture and the language.To say that, "Hispanics have immigrated and assimilated to the point of joining the American mainstream" is to totally negate past and present history of the United States which is filled with examples of racism towards LatinosIn the present, evidence exists that clearly demonstrates that racism towards Latinos is still alive and well in this country. These examples include Proposition 187 in California, the resumed bombing of Vieques, Puerto Rico with complete disregard to the lives and the environment of Puerto Ricans, vigilante groups in the Arizona border menacing both legal and undocumented Mexicans and the growing number of incidents of vigilantes in NY State beating up Latinos as they walk the streets on their way to work. Unfortunately, most of what we know about Latinos today comes from the media and from the entertainment world. To say that we understand Latinos from watching Ricky Martin is like saying that we understand blacks by watching the Cosby show. Most people in the United States have never had the opportunity to take a course about Latino history because Latinos have been historically excluded from the curriculum. I invite the Tufts community to come by the Latino Center to read books about the real history of Latinos in this country. The history is not pretty and it certainly isn't welcoming. Rub?©n Salinas Stern Director of the Latino Center
In 1999, NFL fans saw a ghost. Not literally, of course, but anyone who cared about football was left in a state of bewilderment once it was all done. Three of the final four of the previous season left reeling? A Rams-Titans Super Bowl? The NFL as we knew it was turned upside down. So naturally, entering 2000 we kept the lights on. Everyone was on the lookout for their sleeper pick, a "Rams of 2000" team that would shock the football world and come from nowhere to win it all, or at least rise to prominence. But in just about every scary story, when you're looking for a ghost it doesn't come. This season is no exception. The Chicago Bears, the trendiest of those sleepers coming in, have one win in eight games. The Baltimore Ravens, their AFC counterpart, have not scored a touchdown in October. And fans have been left with, shock of shocks, a season that has gone pretty much according to form. Of course there are teams that have played over their heads and others that have been colossal busts. But this year, those teams can be counted on one hand. But with fans actually able to make sense of what has gone on, that doesn't make it any less interesting. With that in mind, below are some honors and dubious distinctions earned in the first half of 2000:Best Team: Tennessee Titans Yes, it's easy to give this distinction to the Minnesota Vikings, the only unbeaten team left in the league, but they've had too many near-misses and too easy a schedule to be in the top spot. Instead, the Titans have proven themselves the best team in football, reeling off six straight wins after a Week One loss in Buffalo. The defending AFC Champions have proven themselves the most balanced team in the league, with a hard-hitting defense that complements an efficient offense led by running back Eddie George and rising star Steve McNair at quarterback. After last week's easy win over the Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee has the Central in the bag and is in good shape for a return to the Super Bowl.Worst Team: San Diego Chargers The Cincinnati Bengals had this spot locked up before winning a game in which they completed all of two passes last week. The Chicago Bears have looked almost as bad at times, but have a road win under their belt. So, by default, this dishonor goes to San Diego. The only winless club left in the NFL, the 0-7 Chargers have lost the defensive prowess that made them dangerous in recent years, stuck at 27th in the league. And the offense, which looked promising in the preseason thanks to a seemingly reborn Ryan Leaf, has struggled. Making matters worse is that Leaf declared himself out of Sunday's game a week and a half early, without the team's knowledge, and then this week talked on a cell phone for a half hour while reporters waited to talk to him. Some things will never change.Jekyll and Hyde Team: Denver Broncos The only thing in recent years that has been harder to figure than the 2000 Broncos is Demetrius Underwood. The team has looked unstoppable in handing the Oakland Raiders their only loss, on the road in Week Three, gone toe-to-toe on national television with the St. Louis Rams, yet has lost at home to the 2-6 New England Patriots, and on Sunday suffered the ultimately indignity, losing to the Bengals. While Brian Griese has emerged as a top-flight quarterback, and the team has generally owned a statistical advantage over its opponents in every category, Denver seems prone to lapses, as was the case on Sunday, and looks like a talented team without the type of focus that made it a champion in 1997 and '98.Most Valuable Player: Marshall Faulk, St. Louis Rams. Faulk has given the Rams the all-important second dimension and made the team's unstoppable offense go, just as he did last year. The Rams will be just fine without Kurt Warner for the next month, thanks to Faulk. Coming in a close second is Charlie Garner of the San Francisco 49ers, who has gone almost unnoticed in piling up 1166 yards from scrimmage, just 16 fewer than Faulk's 1182. If the Niners had the type of players around Garner that the Rams put around Faulk, their roles could be reversed.Least Valuable Player: Keyshawn Johnson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If this was some other type of business, the Bucs would be requesting a refund on their big-ticket purchase this off-season. Keyshawn, who was supposed to turn around the Bucs' offense and make his team a Super Bowl threat, has instead looked nothing like the star he was in New York. Johnson has dropped passes, missed blocks, and upset Tampa Bay's chemistry. His numbers are a paltry 32 receptions, 373 yards, and one touchdown. But even more disturbing is the Bucs' record: 3-4 and four full games out of first place in the NFC Central, a division that they were considered a preseason lock to win.Coach of the Year: Dennis Green, Minnesota Vikings. Green stuck to his guns and went with inexperienced Daunte Culpepper at quarterback. As has been the case more often than not in his tenure in Minnesota, he was right. The Vikes are 7-0 and a few wins away from becoming a threat to take home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.Team to Watch: New Orleans Saints Quick, name two players on this defense. If you couldn't, you're in the vast majority of fans who don't know anything about the top ranked unit in the NFL. Defensive tackle La'Roi Glover has amassed 11 sacks already and with a fairly soft schedule ahead, the Saints have suddenly become a threat to go to the playoffs for the first time since 1991. If so, they'll be carried by Glover and ten other names that don't inspire much feeling, like Joe Johnson, Sammy Knight, and Keith Mitchell. They may become much more familiar come this winter.Look out above for: Miami Dolphins Blowing a 23-point fourth quarter lead to the Jets on Monday night may have started an annual rite of fall - a Dolphins collapse from near the top of the AFC East to mediocrity. The defense, so good until allowing four TDs in the final stanza on Monday, may struggle to regain its form after a performance that brought back memories of the 62-7 embarrassment suffered at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the playoffs last year. Although two of the next three games are very winnable, the Dolphins face every division opponent once and the Colts twice, in addition to a face off with Tampa, whose pirate ship should be righted by December. If Dave Wannstedt's squad is no longer stopping people, Jay Fiedler cannot carry it. And if that's the case, this could be the worst collapse in Miami since, well, since the last one.
To the Editor: I want to thank those members of the Tufts community who came out in full force to support our women's soccer team in their quest for the national championship last weekend. Over a thousand students, staff, faculty and members of the administration gathered together for an experience that will not soon be forgotten. The chants, crowd roars and foot stomping added a level of excitement to the outstanding soccer being played on the field. I also want to thank the team; Martha, Dre, Janet, Carmen, Yeaty, Tex and the rest for giving us so much to cheer for. Your performance was inspiring. Sol Gittleman, in an email to Martha after the game said it best: "The performance of the women's soccer team was spectacular, nothing less. They showed character, courage, tenacity, and the kind of reaching down deep I have encountered very rarely in my life." Having been at Tufts for many years, I can say that this is not the first time that the Tufts community has rallied behind a team and I know it won't be the last. A successful sports team has the ability to draw us together as a community, as many of us witnessed last weekend. The disappointing result was almost inconsequential. The team had already captured our hearts. Standing shoulder to shoulder, pressed against the ropes, screaming in support of our team made us all proud to be Jumbos. Bill Gehling Director of Athletics
