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Weekender Interview | Jerry Bruckheimer

December 7

Although a slight man, when Jerry Bruckheimer enters a room, his presence commands attention. Smartly dressed in a designer suit with an impressively expensive Stein watch prominent on his wrist, Mr. Bruckheimer sat down at the head of a small table at the Ritz Carlton last week to discuss the release of his newest film, "Glory Road." After reminding myself to breathe, I think "So this is what it's like to be in the presence of power." Simultaneously one of the most successful and highly criticized Hollywood producers of our time, Bruckheimer has almost single handedly created a film genre. With credits including "Top Gun," "Bad Boys," "The Rock," "Armageddon," and "Pirates of the Caribbean," the name Bruckheimer is synonymous with big. His television shows "CSI" and "The Amazing Race" keep with this tradition of fast-paced, high-energy entertainment. But it is perhaps unfair to categorize Bruckheimer and his work as solely explosion driven. "Remember the Titans" and "Glory Road" can hardly be considered action films, yet they touch on an energy that is both highly emotional and highly kinetic. Bruckheimer sat down with the Daily to dispel some of our broad misconceptions of his work, discuss the complexities of producing Hollywood blockbuster and the influence his career has had on American culture.Question: Do you think you consciously made that effort to make narrative films [that] are more popular because fewer people tend to see documentaries?Jerry Bruckheimer: Yeah, I think if you have an interesting character that should be remembered. Both the coaches from "Remember the Titans" and Haskins from this movie should go down in the history books. And anybody usually under 40 has no idea that this ever happened; they think that African-Americans always played basketball, always played for the big schools, always were a big part of athletics - whether it's football, baseball, or basketball - and that just wasn't the case. That was '66, which is not really that long ago, when you think about it. So it's a seminal team in history, and I believe...that music and sports have done more for integration than any of the sit-ins, the bus sit-ins, everything. That was the beginning that brought everybody's attention to it. When you have athletes who were so gifted, as these kids were, that should have had every opportunity to play and get a college education, it just broke the race barrier, and the flood gates kind of opened.Q: James [Gartner] is a first-time director, and he also did commercials like Michael Bay [director of many Bruckheimer pictures]. Why do you choose new directors like this, and what does it bring to the film? Is it so that you can mold someone with your own vision?JB: No, we look for unique talent. And it's hard for me to see a unique talent when a writer comes to us and says, "Oh, I want to direct." But he's never done anything; he might be a real good writer, but I don't know visually what he can bring or if he can handle a crew or a cast. It's very hard; you have 100 people staring at you: "What do we do next?" And writers, they freeze, you know? I've worked on movies with writers who [are directing] for the first time; it's terrifying. Where a commercial director - especially the top ones like Jim [Gartner], who's been doing it for a long time, or Michael Bay - first of all, they've won numerous awards; they're the best of the best at what they do. And you can see what they do; there's no surprises. You know how they can handle a camera. The ones we pick have a strong visual style, so I know what I'm getting. It's our job to give 'em a good screenplay...Q: How was the whole process of finding these players?JB: Difficult, very difficult. I mean, we went through a lot of maturations, because Jim and myself really wanted them to be able to play basketball and be really good players. And our casting director kept bringing us Hollywood actors who said, "Oh yeah, we can play basketball." And you throw them on a court, and they're worse than me, and I'm not very coordinated. 'Cause every actor walks in thinking that they can do anything until you try them out. And so we just tortured this poor casting director and said, "Go out; find these kids who can play basketball, and we'll see if we can get them to act. Find us players who can play, and then we'll see if we can figure out the acting part." Fortunately, some of them were actually actors who had played either high school or college basketball and were very proficient at it. And that's how we kind of arrived at this group of guys...Q: In some of the press notes, it said that Ben Affleck was originally attached to the role. How did that come about?JB: Well, you know, Ben is an old friend and a wonderful actor, and we had kind of given him a big break in "Armageddon." We cast him before "Good Will Hunting" came out, so he had no idea he was gonna be successful. He was involved initially, and then we just couldn't come to terms on the deal...but that's great for Josh Lucas; that's how films make new movie stars.Q: You're one of the most successful producers in film and now television. How do you maintain that level of consistency with the work that you're producing?JB: You know, I think by staying on it, by having talented people around you. And just making sure you don't take a vacation. [Laughter] I love what I do...I just read this morning on the bike while I was working out, I read "CSI: Miami," which is entertaining...That's why I make things that I like; it would be awful producing something that I really didn't have any interest in.Q: Do you have any advice for any young people interested in getting into movie production and producing in particular? JB: Yeah, I think, first of all, you gotta read everything you can possibly read about it, learn everything you can learn about it. Take a job within the industry no matter how menial it is just to get in the door, even if you have to work for nothing. You know, we get these kids who come in and they've gone to film school and they think they know everything about film or television, and they right away want to be at the top. And we look at 'em and we say, "Well, guess what: We have a production assistant's job available, and if you want it, fine, and if not, go find somebody to finance your movies..."Q: Do you think sometimes critics see your name attached [to a film] and they're like, "Oh, that's a piece of garbage"?JB: Sure, sure. It's a good thing and a bad thing. The good thing is that we draw enormous audiences to our movies, and the bad thing is that they don't like that sometimes...You know, it's like anything else. When we did [1983's] "Flashdance," a journalist - I think it was in Philadelphia; or maybe not Philly, maybe it was in Pittsburgh or something - called it a "toxic waste dump." And then it was about ten years later, he sent me the article where he said, "I really missed it. I look at it now, and it was a cultural change and all these things, and it really was a wonderful movie." But at the time, he called it a "toxic waste dump"... But as long as the audiences show up, that's why I make movies; I try to entertain.

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News

Jill Harrison | Traveling Lush

December 7

I will not lie to you gentle reader - I did not drink this weekend. When I agreed to write this column this semester, I promised myself that I would never, ever, under any circumstances write a column about not being a Lush or not drinking. The Lush is better than that; she is here to amuse and astound you with her tales of drunkenness, belligerence, and general ridiculousness. But alas, the Lush is currently embroiled in nearly-Finals Week Hell, so this weekend's imbibing was limited to a celebratory post-LSAT Guinness. Because I have no drunken stories for you this week, I will address the one obligatory subject that nearly every Daily columnist addresses at some point: the Naked Quad Run. As we all know, tomorrow night is a very special night here on the Hill. What follow are my random thoughts on the eve of the special occasion. Firstly, and I hate to disappoint my freshman readership, but the Naked Quad Run is about as sexual and attractive an event as getting your wisdom teeth removed. No offense Tufts, but as a general group of people, you guys do not look good naked, running and freezing all at once. So to anyone out there who was looking forward to seeing that hot guy or girl from your class in the buff, don't get your hopes up. It will likely be a big letdown. Secondly, alcohol can be a tricky subject on NQR night. While, I have a great amount of respect for those few Jumbos I know who have run completely sober, the majority of us require a substantial amount of liquid courage in order to do anything along the lines of stripping down tomorrow night. But I caution you, as much as lining up a bunch of shots and knocking them back just before you head out to run sounds like a good idea, it will seem a lot less ingenious a plan when you are vomiting in front of Houston Hall. I've seen it happen. The Lush is not really a puker, but it is common sense that drunken booting can only be worsened by public nudity and freezing temperatures. So I would advise drinking in relative moderation. Whether watching or running, a certain amount of alcohol will keep you warm and unabashed. But crossing over that line into the realm of "too drunk" can end in injury or serious public humiliation. A cautionary tale: Last year, watching the NQR in front of Carmichael, my roommate and I witnessed a young man fall only to get up and fall again. He seemed to decide that he had had enough of running and attempted to put his shorts back on, but was so drunk he ended up with both legs in the same hole and fell in the mud. This process repeated for about 10 minutes and he attracted a substantial audience of his own. Don't be that guy. Thirdly, if there is any uncertainty in your mind, I advise you to run before you ever watch the event. As discussed above, it ain't a pretty sight to behold. (This may seem like a bit of a tangent, but it has a point, I swear.) Apparently my younger brother Andy, who is a senior in high school, was recently caught in some lie by my parents. Instead of apologizing or making excuses, he has been quoted as saying, "Well, it's not as if I am the first of the Harrison children to tell a lie!," thereby throwing yours truly, and our two older siblings, under the proverbial bus. Diverting the blame - I like your style, little brother. So, taking a cue from my younger brother, I am going to come clean about something here. Mom, Dad, I have a confession to make. I have run the Naked Quad Run. Yes, I have lied about that fact repeatedly over the last three years. Sorry about that. Mom, I suspect you are very shocked by this information; please refer above to the passage about the nonsexual nature of the NQR. Those of you reading may not realize this, but my mother and father actually do read this column - so do my three siblings, and various and sundry aunts, uncles, cousins, and, possibly, grandparents. Of course, coward that I am, I made that confession in print rather than in person. So let's look at my track record this week - not only did I just admit to being naked in public in a column that I write about my (possibly excessive) drinking habits, but I also dropped my thesis a few days ago. I give my family so much to be proud of. Well, now that I've put in my two cents about the NQR, I hope you'll all strip down and go for a little jog tomorrow night. It may be a strange one, but the NQR is one of the few popular traditions we have left at Tufts. I won't delve into what that may say about us as an institution. So with these thoughts, I leave you for the winter break. But do not fear: The Daily staff made sure to ask me to continue writing this column next semester while I was a bit tipsy, so I of course agreed enthusiastically. Good luck on finals, happy holidays, and I will be back after a month of boozing at family Christmas parties - very classy indeed. See you out there.

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News

A time for compassion

December 7

This winter break, the Leonard Carmichael Society's Volunteer Vacations (VV) program is sending 100 Tufts students and ten alums to Waveland, Pass Christian, and Bay St. Louis, Mississippi to perform hurricane relief. This is the first year that VV has taken on a trip of this magnitude, and also the first time that we have been overwhelmed with interested participants. In past years, we have had to beg for students to take part in the trips. This year, student enthusiasm was overwhelming. LCS' role within the university is to provide opportunities for students to take part in activities which impact their communities; VV's response to the biggest natural disaster in America's recent history is more than appropriate. This year's VV trip requires more funding than it does during an average year, but this is a potentially life changing opportunity for 110 people to truly make an impact in an area of the country that so desperately needs our resources. Not only will this trip benefit the participants and the Mississippi residents whose homes we will rebuild, but it will also serve as amazing publicity for Tufts as an institution. As far as we know, we are the only university organizing a trip of this scale to provide direct aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina. This trip is an amazing endeavor, and VV has met with incredible support both financially and morally from many figureheads, departments, and organizations at this University. Because of this eagerness to help, the trip to Mississippi will happen, and successfully. The only organization that seems uninterested in supporting VV is the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate Allocations Board (ALBO). As one of the trip's coordinators, I along with one of the LCS presidents, Erin Poth, have gone to two allocations board meetings to petition for funds. We've met with an extremely negative response, and have received $0 from ALBA's discretionary $50,000 buffer fund budget. My understanding of buffer funding is that it is a pool of money which exists to support student activities that go above and beyond their expected budgets; this year's VV trip does just that. As rational for ALBA's denial of funding for VV, I was told that the TCU buffer funding is meant for student activities which occur on campus and benefit a large number of students. It was explained to me that the VV trip not only takes place off campus, but is limited in impact to just 100 students. I am sorely disappointed with the way that ALBO chooses to allot its funding. At a university which prides itself on community engagement, this trip seems to me the epitome of all that Tufts stands for as an institution. To offer obscene amounts of money in buffer funding to events such as the Nighttime Quad Reception and offer none to Volunteer Vacations is an abomination. I understand and respect that ALBO is governed by established guidelines and principles; but I find it appalling to sit in a room of ten of my most intelligent, ambitious peers and realize that they are more guided by the TCU rulebook than by the values that I would expect they hold personally. Call me idealistic, but I would hope that the TCU Senate would not mirror the conservative American government. Sure, I'm just a liberal community health major here, but it seems to me a little crazy to be stingy about funding 'social programs' and have no issue writing ridiculously large checks for causes that have no profound impact on really...anyone. Don't get me wrong - I love events like the Nighttime Quad Reception and the Mr. Jumbo competition as much as any other Tufts student - but like most students, faculty, and administration, I consider programs like Volunteer Vacations to be of much higher value. I would have hoped that ALBA's decisions would appropriately reflect Tufts' general values. Considering that ALBA is the only organization on campus that has the sole function of funding student activities, it is their duty to make moral decisions. I am appalled by the principles guiding the TCU Senate Allocations Board members, and would hope that in the future they reconsider how and why they make choices not just as Board members, but as people.

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Arts

'System' are the Red Bull and Vodka of music

December 6

It is pretty exceptional to find an album today that truly rocks. "Hypnotize," the latest by System of a Down, is one of these albums, the kind that get better with every additional increment of volume. Whether it is used for personal head-banging or for a pre-finals spaz attack, "Hypnotize" will not disappoint. As the second of a pair of albums, "Hypnotize" was released just six months after the moderately successful "Mezmerize." Whereas "Mezmerize" owed much of its success to "BYOB," a hard rocking political tirade that transformed into a sort of antiwar anthem, "Hypnotize" does not give the same weight to any given song. Despite the album's lack of potential future radio airtime, the first eight tracks tie together to form one long hit song. This rock opera style seems to be awakening an old trend, following the same concept as last year's Green Day's "American Idiot." It is evident from the way that "Hypnotize" flows that the rock opera feel was well thought-out. The album has three distinct sections, the first beginning with the simple lyrics and frenzied rhythms that made System of a Down famous. The opening song, "Attack," does not disappoint, as it only builds up for about three and a half seconds before it unleashes quite possibly the fastest beat that drummer John Dolmayan has ever recorded. The middle of "Hypnotize" is by far the deepest, most complex, and best overall section. Beginning with the one possible hit, the title track, this block of songs asks the relatively tough questions, all while adhering to the fast pace that was established before. In a bitter critique of the materialism of American society, the title track begins: "Why don't you ask the kids at Tiananmen Square / Was fashion the reason why they were there / They disguise it hypnotize it / Television made you buy it." The primary risk taken in the middle section is its unprecedented amount of harmonization. Such a technique inevitably features more input from backup singer, and main song writer Daron Malakian, who has a much lighter style than frontman Serj Tankian. While this vocal complexity may detract from the album's heaviness for some, it certainly adds new depth and is quite an accomplishment for a band with such a defined sound. The depth of the middle section does not end with the melodies. In the song "Tentative," writers Malakian and Tankian take what would typically seem like a slow song and give other parts of the track the same aggressive energy that is found earlier in the album. In mixing these two distinct moods, "Tentative" feels like a delicious dose of red bull and vodka, making your heart speed up and slow down at the same time. The second section's musical brilliance extends through track eight, "Holy Mountains," which could (and should) have been the album's conclusion. Tracks nine through twelve seem more like hidden tracks then part of the same album, used primarily for experimentation. Although System of a Down is well known for their quirkiness, "Vicinity of Obscenity" is just plain silly. It is hard to excuse these lyrics as a poetic expression of some drug binge, because, frankly, they sound like they were written by a five-year-old who ate too many Cocoa Puffs. It's possible that this five-year-old druggie was a creative writing persona for Tankian, but "Vicinity of Obscenity" simply takes away from the seriousness of his other songs. Fortunately for "Hypnotize," the third section's isolation prevents it from ruining the rest of the album. Though true fans would rightly prefer a hard copy, a logical choice for everyone else would be to utilize iTunes to the fullest and just buy tracks one through eight. Though it is only a partial album, it is one long string of brilliance. The differences in quality beg the question of why "Hypnotize" and "Mezmerize" were not combined into one normal-length masterpiece. It would certainly be feasible to combine the consistent eight tracks from "Hypnotize" with "Mezmerize"'s few hits. It seems that the band was swayed by the media coverage that accompanies the accomplishment of releasing two albums in the same year. Overall, though, System of a Down continues to overstep such labels as "metal" and "nu-metal" and has put out some of the best rock and roll of the last decade.

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News

Junior expelled, faces city charges

December 6

The student who allegedly assaulted a campus police officer last month has been expelled from the University. Junior Ciaran O'Donovan, 21, will be allowed to finish his courses this semester, but he is not allowed on campus for any other purpose. His expulsion goes into effect when finals period ends. O'Donovan was involved in a fight with junior Tim Churella in the early morning of Wednesday, Nov. 23 in a house at 185 College Avenue. The fight spilled into the street, and Tufts University Police Department Officers Cheri Burton and Eric Morales and several Somerville officers responded to the scene. O'Donovan ran across the street next to the blue light emergency phone on Lower Campus Road. Burton attempted to detain O'Donovan, but O'Donovan allegedly struck Burton, knocked her to the ground, pulled out her hair and shouted racial epithets at her. Burton is African-American. When the other officers who responded intervened, O'Donovan allegedly shouted other racial and homophobic epithets and spat in an officer's face. O'Donovan was first taken to the hospital and then detained by the Somerville Police Department. According to O'Donovan's lawyer, Michael Schneider, O'Donovan is awaiting charges on disorderly conduct, assault and battery on a police officer and resisting arrest. He is due in Somerville court Jan. 23. O'Donovan was previously arrested, along with junior Nathan Cleveland, by Somerville police Sept. 25 for walking on Curtis Avenue with open beer cans. The city charges and additional ones of public intoxication, noise violation and acts of intolerance were used by the University to pursue expulsion. O'Donovan received the official expulsion letter from the Dean of Students Office Monday, Dec. 5. According to the School of Arts, Sciences and Engineering Student Judicial Process, parties involved in a disciplinary decision have ten days to appeal the ruling to the Committee on Student Life. "We definitely intend to appeal it," Schneider said. Schneider will represent O'Donovan both in Somerville and at the University. Appeals can be brought on two grounds: denial of fair process and new evidence. Schneider said the appeal would describe O'Donovan's character and what he called a "fuller development of the facts." Schneider would not elaborate on the specifics of the appeal. "I am not shirking any responsibility," O'Donovan said. "I did what I did. I have nothing but regret." O'Donovan said alcohol contributed to, but was not the sole cause of, the incident. He said his blood alcohol content was measured at .327. The legal limit for operating a vehicle in Massachusetts is .08. "I do believe that had some effect on my mental state," he said. Churella is not facing any disciplinary or legal action from the University or Somerville. O'Donovan and Churella were members of this semester's men's cross country team. Team members said no formal discussion had taken place about the incident or O'Donovan's expulsion. The team members were also supportive of O'Donovan. "I still see Ciaran as a friend," senior co-captain Matt Lacey said. "I just hope he can grow and move on and it doesn't essentially end his life." Lacey said the topic may be discussed at a team meeting within the next few weeks. Though he was present when police arrived, Churella stayed in front of the house and did not see the incident between O'Donovan and Burton. "We knew Ciaran, he's a good kid," Churella said. "None of our impressions change because of one night." O'Donovan admitted his role in the incident but said his actions were out of anger and not hatred for any racial or ethnic group. "I can't apologize enough to anyone I may have offended," he said.

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News

Inside the NBA | Lakers are no longer the team to beat in L.A.

December 6

The Los Angeles Clippers have long been the laughingstock of the NBA. But after wins over the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat propelled the Clippers to the second-best record in the NBA, the Clippers are finally on their way to having the last laugh. On Monday night, the Clippers shut down the Heat in the fourth quarter to win 99-89 and improve to 12-5 on the season. With Shaquille O'Neal still sidelined, it was time for another wide-bodied big man to shine. Clippers power forward Elton Brand poured in a season-high 37 points, nabbed 12 rebounds, and notched six blocks. With the Clippers up by just three going into the fourth quarter, Brand carried the team, scoring eight of its first 12 points to lift the Clippers to a 13-point lead. If the Clippers have become a surprise contender for the NBA Finals, Brand has become the surprise MVP candidate. Through 17 games, Brand has averaged 24.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game, shooting 56.6 percent from the floor. Brand has scored at least 30 points in his last three games. The win over the Heat came on the heels of an equally impressive win over LeBron James and the Cavs. On Saturday night, the Clippers rode a big first quarter to a 102-90 victory. Brand played a big role again, dropping 30 points on the Cavs. The win got the Clippers back on the torrid pace they set early in the season, when they won nine of their first 11 before dropping three of four. With 12 wins already, the Clippers are virtually assured to surpass last year's 37 wins. While Brand has been the leader for the Clippers, changes in the backcourt have been crucial to the team's improvement. In the offseason, the team added Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley to man the backcourt. Both Cassell and Mobley had rough years in 2004-2005. After being traded away from the Houston Rockets in the Tracy McGrady-Steve Francis deal, Mobley went to the Orlando Magic. He barely had a chance to get comfortable before being shipped to the Sacramento Kings for Doug Christie. Although Mobley still managed to have a decent year, he never got a foothold anywhere, and it showed on the court. In the offseason, Mobley ignored conventional NBA wisdom and signed with the Clippers. Sam Cassell, on the other hand, was locked down in a mess last year on the Minnesota Timberwolves. Cassell struggled all season on a team that was riddled with internal problems. He was finally relieved of the mess when the Wolves traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers for Marko Jaric and Lionel Chalmers. Cassell has stepped in at point guard with 16 points and 7.6 assists per game, filling the void left when Andre Miller bolted for the Denver Nuggets three years ago. Mobley has struggled a little bit with his three-point shooting, but he has still been a positive addition to the team, averaging 15 points and five rebounds per game. Those two have joined Brand and his former Duke teammate Corey Maggette to form a potent offensive attack. Maggette has averaged 21.7 points per game, as the Clippers have upped their scoring average to 99.5 points per game. The Clippers sit atop a tough Pacific Division. The Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors, two teams with breakneck offenses, are on win streaks and closing in on the Clippers. It could be tough for LA to hold off those two teams. Phoenix has been playing very well and wants to get Amare Stoudamire back later in the season. Golden State, on the other hand, has been rejuvenated by the addition of Baron Davis. These two Pacific Division challengers will go head-to-head tonight.

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News

Keith Barry | Blight on the Hill

December 6

My favorite description of Boston in the winter comes from a John Updike short story in which one of the characters, upon his return from work to his Beacon Hill home, is described as "bringing the cold in on his coat." When I was little and my parents were coming home from a Christmas party, it was that same cold that I felt as soon as I hugged them when they entered the house. It reminded me that I was inside and warm, protected from all the harsh elements outside. In fact, entering my 21st Boston winter, I have no desire to ever leave here. Sure, it's cold, but not Margaret Thatcher's-bed cold. Before the sand trucks are out, it's also quite beautiful. Just look at Childe Hassam's painting of Boston Common in the winter if you ever need a pick-me-up sometime around February. Winter at Tufts means footsteps crunching on frosty ground, bundling up inside inadequately heated off-campus houses, amazingly bright decorations in every neighborhood, lousy snow removal on the Memorial Steps, sledding down the President's Lawn, bell-ringers in Davis Square, and enough ice on the Tisch patio for Paul Wylie to complete a full triple axel. Something about the expectations for winter rituals always seems enjoyable to me, regardless of how cold it gets. All except for one ritual, which I hope I never see again. It seems that every December, every conservative columnist and commentator in the country has to blather on about how Christmas has become commercialized, how the "true message" has been lost, or - and this is my favorite - how a secular "Happy Holiday" has replaced "Merry Christmas." Recently, a number of conservative Christian groups called for a boycott of Target stores because they claim Target does not wish customers a "Merry Christmas" and relies on what the Christian groups consider to be a secular greeting, "Happy Holidays." Their excuse? America is a predominantly Christian nation. Going by the ridiculous "predominance" test would mean that employees of stores in predominantly Hispanic locales should only speak Spanish, and "predominantly vegetarian" parts of Cambridge should not allow meat sales. Even more ridiculous is when Christian conservatives try to appear ecumenical and say that America has been founded on "Judeo-Christian values." Apparently, there were some Greenbergs and Rothsteins sitting next to the Websters and Smiths on the Mayflower, and it's therefore OK to offend Muslims, Buddhists and atheists as long as there's a shiny menorah decoration in the window. Perhaps most ridiculous is that Christian conservatives fail to realize that the greeting, "Happy Holidays" comes from "Happy Holy-days," which is possibly the most inherently religious greeting you can get aside from, "Repent, O Sinner! The Return of the Son of Man is Near!" Simple manners have taught me not to assume anything about a person, especially when they are a stranger and you are trying to make them feel welcome. I've never taken a marketing class, but I also imagine that retailers would rather make all customers feel welcome with a generic greeting rather than give a religious declaration that may potentially offend a few people who were willing to shell out a couple of bucks for a new HDTV. There are many December holidays. I imagine most of them were invented by northern Europeans who would have killed themselves had they had to survive an entire winter without one day on which they could celebrate, take a break from pillaging, and get drunk. In America, the holiday which predominated for many years was Christmas. Most Americans today, including my family, celebrate Christmas. This doesn't mean that I want everyone else to celebrate Christmas. I truly do want everyone to have a happy holiday, which for some may be religious and for others may be just a much needed rest and time with family. Drawing on the Christian tradition of peace at Christmas, I think it would be smart for Christian conservatives to put their prejudices and over the top evangelism aside, and be content that at this time of year all people of different faiths and traditions come together to celebrate, join with family and friends, have a little too much Sutter Home white zinfandel at office parties, and be at peace for at least a little while. That's not just a religious goal - that's a basic human desire. Especially the Sutter Home. Happy Holidays, everyone. We can leave the cold outside, take off our coats, and come together in a holiday spirit of warmth. And can Facilities please spread some ice-melt on the Tisch patio? The last thing I want at this time of year is to worry about attracting Paul Wylie to campus.Keith Barry is a senior majoring in community health and psychology. He can be reached via e-mail at keith.barry@tufts.edu.

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News

Women's Squash | Tufts comes home empty-handed from Wesleyan Round Robin

December 6

After a tough 9-0 loss to Dartmouth Nov. 30, the Tufts women's squash team fell in two more consecutive matches Dec. 3 at the Wesleyan Round Robin Tournament. In the first match, the 12th-ranked Saint Lawrence Saints soundly defeated the No. 16 Jumbos 9-0 before the team lost once more later in the round-robin to the No. 19 Stanford Cardinal, 8-1. The Jumbos' record now stands at 2-4 going into today's match against Amherst, which will be played at the Belmont Hill School at 6:30 p.m. At the No. 1 slot, sophomore Rebecca Rice lost to Saint junior Katia Stipinovich 9-2, 9-5, 9-1, while No. 2 player and freshman Victoria Barba picked up a game, but still was beaten by Saint junior Ashley Eldredge 9-5, 9-2, 1-9, 9-4. Freshman Molly Frizzell, playing at No. 8, won a close third game against her opponent, sophomore Anne Perry Daniels, but ultimately lost 9-2, 9-5, 9-10, 9-3. Overall, Saint Lawrence won 27 games in their sweep of the Jumbos, while Tufts tallied only two. Rice said that some players had to play up the ladder to fill in for higher-ranked absent players, which challenged the team even more against an already-difficult opponent. "Saint Lawrence is a really strong team," Rice said. Stanford only added women's squash as an "emerging varsity sport" starting for the 2005-06 season, yet still managed to defeat the Jumbos. Senior co-captain Joelle Polivy, one of several key players absent from the weekend's round-robin, said that team should have prevailed over the Cardinal, attributed the losses to the relatively weak starting lineup. Junior Julia Avrutin, who filled the one seed last year, junior Erica Adler, who played two, and classmate Jen Lange, who played at six, eight, and nine, are all abroad this semester. "We were missing a lot of people," Polivy said. "We would have been a lot better with our players who are currently abroad." "We were down a few players which hurt us a lot," Rice said. "We had two injured and one out of town. Also, it had been a really long day. We had to play Stanford at 9 p.m." In the Stanford match, Rice managed to pick up a set against her number one sophomore opponent Brooksie Riley, but lost 9-4, 6-8, 9-3, 9-7. Barba secured the Jumbos' only victory of the entire round robin playing at number two, defeating senior Ashleigh Pattee 9-2, 4-9, 9-3, 10-9. Freshman Jessica Herrmann fought hard at the number four slot, battling to five sets against Stanford sophomore Rachel Deming but ended up with a tough 9-4, 5-9, 8-10, 9-7, 9-6 loss. The Jumbos go into today's match against the 11th-ranked Lord Jeffs hoping to end their three-game losing skid, but a victory over Amherst might prove difficult, Polivy said. "In the past, they have been a tough team," she said. "It will be tough but it should be a good way to end the first half of the season." Rice said that the team will have some of its non-abroad members who were absent from the Wesleyan Round Robin back and that their addition will help the Jumbos greatly. "Amherst has a really deep lineup," Rice said. "It'll be a really close match though, and they're not as strong a team as last year. We're going to go out fighting." Polivy said that although the Jumbos have suffered some early season losses, the matches played during the second semester are more important because they determine the rankings for the Howe Cup tournament, which will be played at Harvard in late February. "We really have a solid team," Polivy said. "We have a lot of really good freshman and great returning players, and the abroad players [who are returning next semester] will really help our team."

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Inside the NHL | Sharks bite while Bruins end losing skid

December 6

When the NHL lockout ended this past spring, teams had to decide if they could afford their star players anymore. The Boston Bruins were one of the first teams to jump on their franchise player, as they signed superstar Joe Thornton mere days after the end of the lockout. Thornton was to be their captain, their leader and the rock to build their team upon. Apparently, that wasn't good enough. On Wednesday, the Bruins traded Thornton to the San Jose Sharks for center Wayne Primeau, left wing Marco Sturm and defenseman Brad Stuart. The trade came on the heels of the Sergei Federov trade the week before, but its was even more surprising. Joe Thornton was to Boston hockey what David Ortiz is to Boston baseball. He was the Bruins' biggest attraction, and now he is gone. The first game following Thornton's absence was against the red hot Ottawa Senators on Thursday. The Bruins shut out the Senators for the first time this year, 3-0, as newcomers Sturm and Stuart had a combined three points. The Bruins then beat the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 in overtime on Saturday to continue their winning streak before falling to the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday. Each of the three former Sharks played critical roles in each game, as the Bruins emerged from losing nine of 10 games. Thornton has found a home in San Jose, as he tallied four assists in his first two games as a Shark. San Jose has a host of young talent, and the addition of the veteran Thornton may be just what the Sharks need for these players to excel. Thornton's four assists have come to two players: 26-year-old Patrick Marleau and 25-year-old Jonathan Cheechoo. Both have spent their careers in San Jose and have emerged as dominant young talent in past years. With Thornton now as the Sharks' center, watch for a dramatic increase in their offensive production. Meanwhile, the rest of the league begins to play the opposite coast. With the new NHL schedule, division rivals play each other eight times a season and conference rivals four times a season. This leaves little room for inter-coastal competition. Eastern Conference teams will face Western Conference teams rarely throughout the season. This has created a National League-versus-American League mentality that most players don't really seem to mind. Phoenix Coyotes' coach Wayne Gretzky said the best thing about the new schedule - especially for Western teams - was that it minimized travel. "It's so much easier on the players," he said. Only in the past week have Eastern Conference teams begun to play those of the Western Conference. The biggest matchup will be the Ottawa Senators versus the Vancouver Canucks on Friday, a battle between the top two spots on the ESPN Power Ranking list.

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Alex Sherman | Political Cartoon

December 6

Dec. 7, 2005

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Student film explores drunk driving law's patron

December 6

With the recent passing of Melanie's Law, Massachusetts is in compliance with federal standards for drunk driving laws for the first time in state history. The law, enacted Oct. 28, bears the name of Melanie Powell of Marshfield, Mass., who was 13 years old when she was struck and killed by a drunk driver while walking with friends to the beach after a sleepover party on July 25, 2003. The new law increases the severity of punishment for driving under the influence and closes loopholes in the system that had previously allowed repeat offenders to get back behind the wheel. Margot Abels, the Director of Drug and Alcohol Education Services at Health Services, said the new legislation will likely lead to an increased crackdown on sales of alcohol to minors and the use of fake IDs. She also said the fear of legal complications associated with Melanie's Law could increase people's concerns about tangential involvement with drunk driving. "People are at a loss for preventative strategies around the response to drinking and driving, so they move towards a harsher, punitive response," Abels said. She hopes increased education about the law will lead to increased prevention. Several Tufts students chose to explore that problem in Professor Roberta Oster Sachs' Ex College class "Producing Films for Social Change." On Monday night, Oster Sachs' students screened the documentaries they had been working on all semester. One group's film focused on the fight to pass Melanie's Law. Senior Leah Tucker was one of the group members who worked on the documentary. "I wasn't immediately passionate [about any topic] because I didn't feel connected to any specific person," she said. She searched for "car accidents" online and found an editorial that detailed Melanie's grandfather Ron Bersani's fight for tougher repeat drunk-driving legislation in Massachusetts. "I contacted Bersani, we chatted for a long time, and he was happy to be involved [with the film]. His story was just so powerful," Tucker said. Bersani's effort to pass Melanie's Law was a long struggle. The Tufts students involved with producing the documentary were impressed with his determination to bring about social change. "Without him, [Melanie's Law] would have never happened. It took so much manpower and energy on his part," sophomore Eli Netter said. Tucker wants the film to serve as an educational tool and bring the new legislation to the attention of the Boston area and the Tufts community. "Maybe I was just a little cynical, but before I heard Bersani's story, I didn't believe that one person could truly get involved and make a difference," Tucker said. She called the new law "a baby step" in the direction of prevention. A provision in the law gives prosecutors the power to introduce certified court documents to prove that a repeat offender has been previously convicted. Repeat offenders will then be required to install a device that measures the driver's Blood Alcohol Content and prevents the vehicle from starting if the driver is intoxicated. The device must be installed in any car owned or operated by the repeat offender. The minimum jail sentence for an individual found guilty of manslaughter by motor vehicle was also increased from two-and-a-half to five years. The law has been criticized for not taking a more treatmen or prevention-oriented approach, but its biggest supporter remains optimistic. "We'll never know how many lives Melanie's Law will save, but we have faith it will be many, so today, we thank you Melanie," Bersani told the Boston CBS affiliate after the law was passed.

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Ben Swasey | From Way Downtown

December 6

As this is my last column of the semester, I want to end by imparting some wisdom that you can all use while on our month away from school because if you're anything like me, your Winter Break may consist of a number a pick-up basketball games with old friends at the local gym. This leads me to my first piece of advice: don't play. I am a typical college student; my diet consists largely of delivery food and booze, and I am continually overstressed and sleep-deprived. As I learned over Thanksgiving Break, this is not adequate preparation to run around a basketball court for any extended period of time. You know those old guys who limp all over the floor and sweat profusely? Well, those years are fast approaching. This brings me to my next piece of advice. Instead of playing pick-up games, how about indulging in the single greatest game ever invented - HORSE? HORSE is the classic game that gives you letters if you do not match your opponent's successful shot at the hoop. It combines everything one would want in a game: basketball, spelling and fierce competition. ESPN columnist Bill Simmons has suggested HORSE be played by NBA players during the All-Star Break, and I completely agree. In addition, HORSE can be played to spell other words. If you're a short on time or really bad at shooting, try PIG. If you want to keep up your Tufts' enthusiasm over break, try JUMBO. If you like prehistoric mammals, try MASTODON. My third piece of advice is extended, as I will offer strategy (or "strategery" if you're a George Dubya Bush fan) to winning your HORSE games. First, I suggest starting off with some easy shots, such as short banks from the blocks or free throws to warm up and establish a rhythm. Also, if your opponent manages to miss one of these "bunnies," you begin the contest with an important one-letter lead. Next, it is essential to find some "go-to" spots on the floor. These are personal places in which a player makes a high percentage and can almost guarantee they won't miss. Some people like the top of the key; I prefer spots just behind the elbows for my 16-foot jumper. If you're struggling with more difficult shots or need to stop your opponent's momentum, move to your "go-to" locale. This shot will help you get your shooting confidence back. Third, while some people step into a game looking to copy that old McDonald's commercial in which Larry Bird and Michael Jordan played HORSE, this is, unfortunately and realistically, not the path to success. You know what I'm talking about - those "from the third row of the bleachers, off the wall, off the scoreboard and in!" attempts. They nearly never work, and they're likely to maim innocent children who just happen to be mulling around the gym. Instead, try hard, but not crazy, shots. These include deeper, Tim Duncan-style bankers and NBA-range threes. If you can make your attempt, odds are your opponent won't make his or hers. Also, though I advise against ridiculous shots, I do believe that at least one manageable trick shot should be mastered and attempted each game. The granny-style free throw, shooting with your weak hand, eyes closed attempts and the famous Larry Bird-over-the-backboard-shot all fit into this category. For example, an old friend of mine mastered the "one-arm hurl." Actually, he didn't master it, he was just a quarterback in football so he would basically chuck the ball at the hoop. If you want to spice up your game, I suggest reenacting famous basketball shots. Do the "Christian Laettner at Duke" by throwing the ball off the far backboard and having it come back to you, fake one way, and nail a turnaround foul-line jumper. Try the "Michael Jordan against the Cavs" by dribbling once to your left and making a 15-footer, then jumping in the air approximately five feet and punching the air numerous times in celebration. Or do the "Kareem" by putting on large Rec-Specs and hitting a baseline sky-hook. Finally, there are some other options to consider, including the "to call swish or not to call swish debate." Personally, I don't usually like calling "swish" before attempting a shot. It may be good for an easy shot like a free throw, but it is frustrating to make a shot of some difficulty and have it slightly nick the rim. Another thing to consider is the mental aspect of the game. Try getting in your opponent's head by going back to shots they missed earlier or attempting a free-throw to get that final "E," thereby testing if your opponent can be clutch on this slowed-down shot. With all these strategies in place, you should have no problem whooping your friends from home in HORSE, provided, or course, that you have some semblance of basketball shooting skills. Either way, my last piece of advice is to play HORSE often and enjoy your Winter Break.Ben Swasey is a sophomore who has not yet declared a major. He can be reached via e-mail at Benjamin.Swasey@tufts.edu.

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At weekly meetings, both genders are looking to talk

December 6

Two discussion groups on campus - one for men, one for women - are trying to make students more comfortable dealing with issues of health, gender and sexuality. In the fall of 2004, Director of Alcohol and Drug Education Services Margot Abels and Tufts Violence Prevention Program Coordinator Elaine Theodore created a discussion group for freshman girls. The following semester it was opened to women of all years. Abels said attendance was erratic and would range anywhere from two to 15 students. This semester, the group returned to its original model, limiting attendance to freshmen and meeting twice each week. "This fall we had people fill out a simple application to get into the group, to just hold people a little bit more accountable," Abels said. "We've had the same group of six girls coming every week." The group's Thursday night meetings consist of a social event. Last week the group made "rice socks," a type of microwaveable heating pad, to stay warm in the winter. On Friday mornings the group has breakfast and a discussion. "It's a combination of getting support, talking, getting information and being able to treat yourself really nicely for the hour," Abels said of the Friday-morning programming. "A lot of girls came into the group really feeling lonely and feeling like they hadn't found people that they connect with," she said. "Here, they have this really solid group that they socialize with." The group's discussions have focused on what it means to be a freshman woman and what it means to be sexual, as well as topics like alcohol, roommates and relationships. The students in the group declined to be interviewed. Abels and Theodore started the group because they felt strongly about doing targeted work. The group was formed "in response to the statistics of the risks that first-semester freshman females face around sexual assault and alcohol poisoning," Abels said. She also said the group was created to refer students to services they might need and create "a place where we can chill and talk." Senior Reena Desai, a residential assistant in South Hall, said she would encourage her residents to apply for the group next semester. "I think this is a great resource for freshman girls," she said. Men now also have a place to go for discussions of gender issued. The Tufts Men Activists Coalition, founded this semester, meets weekly. "There are numerous women's groups, and we're the only men's group," freshman Jeffrey Kiok said. "We think that's an important aspect missing from this campus." Freshman Daniel Albert agreed. "Men are oftentimes overlooked in terms of getting support just because of this social stigma that exists that men are supposed to be the stronger sex," he said. Topics included in the group's discussions have included what it means to be a real man, gender stereotypes about men and how men are perceived at Tufts. Next year the group plans to create a gender education program for high school and middle school boys.

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Saving lives, taking finals: all in a day's work

December 6

"When you ask someone to volunteer a lot of their time," senior Mike Garshick said, "there's a certain type of person who is willing to do it." Garshick, the executive director of Tufts Emergency Medical Services (TEMS), falls into that category. So does senior Jeff Burke. "I took the EMT class that's offered at Tufts last fall and then I was gone for a semester," said Burke, who first became involved with TEMS after he returned from studying abroad during his junior year. Since that time, Burke has moved from a tertiary EMT to a probationary technician to his current position: a technician who volunteers up to eight shifts per month for his fellow students at Tufts. Students are able to join TEMS when they are CPR-certified and enrolled in an EMT class. Most begin as observers, responding to calls with the other two EMTs on duty. Observers then graduate to tertiary EMT status. From there, they move on to be probationary technicians, and, usually after a year, technicians. At a minimum, TEMS always has two certified EMTs available per shift to individually respond to a call. The third student may be a tertiary EMT or an observer. Of course, "on nights like [the naked quad run] for example, we put other special details on campus," Garshick said. "We've had up to nine [TEMS workers] on at one time." Although workers are paid in the case of the naked quad run, TEMS is otherwise completely volunteer-dependent. The average TEMS worker volunteers for four to six shifts per month. Many students volunteer more time than that, however. It was for this reason that Burke moved up to the rank of technician so quickly. "Most people spend about a year as a [probationary technician]," Garshick said. Burke, however, moved up after one semester. Garshick came to be executive director of TEMS through an election process. All working members of TEMS who complete four to six shifts per month and are in good standing with TEMS are eligible to vote. As executive director, Garshick serves as an intermediary between TEMS and outside entities, including companies, the media and the Tufts police force. He also works closely with TEMS Director of Operations Bracken Babula, whose responsibilities include "scheduling, uniforming and paperwork," Garshick said. Garshick spends a substantial amount of time volunteering with TEMS. While he usually aims to take six or seven shifts per month, he often takes more. He and Babula find themselves sacrificing their own time in an effort to keep TEMS in service. But that doesn't stop Garshick from finding time to play a role in the Tufts community in other ways. He participated in a musical last year, has run a bone-marrow drive and is a member of the pep band. Burke, who is a member of the crew team and Theta Chi, has been successful at managing his time and not letting his dedication to TEMS ever fall by the wayside. "It's a little tough to make nighttime shifts during the week," he said, adding that the commitment is different from what most students imagine. TEMS volunteers are not stationed in one location on campus, waiting for a call. They may be in class, eating lunch, spending time with friends - as long as they have the radio with them that informs them of any calls. "When I'm on duty, I'm able to carry out every other activity," Burke said. "Obviously you can't be in practice, but I can be doing schoolwork, in a class, anything around campus - as long as I have the radio on and I'm able to respond to a call. You just always have to remember [TEMS] is your priority at the time." A TEMS worker on duty must be prepared to receive a call at any time. "A Saturday night is more likely than a Monday afternoon," Burke said. "But you can get a call any time, any day, really." "We can go two or three days without a call, and then have a day where we get call after call," Garshick said. He estimated that TEMS receives, on average, one call per day. Over the course of last year, the TEMS staff received over 400 calls. Another misconception about TEMS is that it deals primarily with students who have had too much to drink. "We do a lot more than just alcohol intoxication," Garshick said. TEMS has sponsored CPR and first aid classes, as well as outreach programs such as Kids' Day and Read by the River. "Our definition of services is to provide 100 percent free, voluntary care to all of the Tufts community, including staff, students and also anybody associated with Tufts University," Garshick said. Members of the Tufts community aren't the only ones benefiting from TEMS - the volunteers themselves feel rewarded for their work. "[My experience with TEMS has] affected me primarily in terms of leadership roles," Garshick said, citing the learning experience of "running an organization with your peers where no one is being paid." Through his experience, Garshick has learned a great deal about working with others. "You're all students, you're all friends, you all have to be considerate and kind to everybody," he said. Garshick continues to dedicate as much time as he does to TEMS because he knows how much the organization is needed on campus. "Having TEMS go under would be a big deal," he said. Burke is equally positive about his time with TEMS. He appreciates that "TEMS has given me the opportunity to gain experience as an EMT in a non-business [setting] - we're not here to make money." In addition, Burke has been especially impressed with "the quality of people" he has met through the organization. "I can't think of anything I'm involved with that [has] the same caliber of people," he said.

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Anthropology, sociology: Two better than one

December 6

Now on its own, the Department of Anthropology is getting high marks from faculty and students. Before this year, students could major in anthropology, but the major was part of a joint Department of Sociology and Anthropology. The two departments are now separate and each has a chairperson. "Both the sociology and anthropology professors thought it was high time we separate departments," Anthropology Chair Rosalind Shaw said. At department meetings before the split, Shaw said, professors had to wait while faculty from the other major discussed proposals irrelevant to their department's goals. "It enables us to make much more direct representation of our needs to the administration," Shaw said. As chair of the new department, she can now attend meetings with other department chairs. Previously no anthropology professor was necessarily represented. The departments "had been combined many years ago, somewhat arbitrarily, as an economy, since both were small," Dean of Academic Affairs Kevin Dunn said. "It certainly seems as though the ambitions have grown as they focus on their own agendas. That energy will certainly benefit students in both departments." According to the 2004-2005 Fact Book, published by Institutional Research, there were 11 graduating seniors majoring in anthropology in 2004, the last year available. There were 23 in sociology. Junior anthropology major Sebastian Chaskel said the split is good for students. "If it means professors having more time to devote to anthropology, that's great," he said. "I haven't noticed changes yet but I think it's very exciting." Shaw also said the change will bolster the reputation of the major. "Having our own department does give more legitimacy," she said. Both Shaw and Chaskel said they take pride in the major's focus on public anthropology. In his Public Anthropology class, Chaskel recorded the oral history of Latinos in Somerville. "I got to take peoples' stories, put them in a little book and give it back to them," he said. Shaw said public anthropology gives students a unique chance to connect with the community in which they live. "Most students live in Somerville, but don't know much about it," Chaskel said. "Students aren't just studying the community but working with it." President of the Tufts Anthropology Collective senior Molly Whittington said the department lets undergraduates perform and present research. Last winter, the department accepted student input during the interview process for a new professor. "The department is really good about involving students," she said.

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Bah humbug

December 6

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. There's snow on the ground, people are entombing themselves in layers of clothing, and everyone's favorite holiday specials are starting to appear all over the television map. The surest sign of the season, though, is that conservatives have worked themselves into a red-faced frenzy, defending Christmas against a massive liberal conspiracy aimed at undermining American traditions and destroying Christianity once and for all. Or so they claim. Conservative Fox News pundit Bill O'Reilly calls the abolishment of Christmas a part of the "secular progressive agenda" and author and pundit John Gibson recently released a book entitled "The War on Christmas: How the Liberal Plot to Ban the Sacred Christian Holiday is Worse than you Thought." Conservative interest groups like Fidelis and the Committee for Justice have even begun running Internet and radio advertisements which claim that Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito will defend Christmas against scheming leftists. Do liberals really hate Christmas? In order to accept the right's sob story as valid, one must rewrite American history and the very philosophy on which the United States was founded. Conservative Christmas crusaders claim that the liberal movement is actively trying to destroy America's religious and cultural foundations in order to implement its agenda. They are correct in saying that liberal groups oppose official sponsorship of religiously-themed Christmas events and images, such as public school Christmas pageants or town-square nativity scenes. But evidence for the claim that liberal opposition to Christmas strikes at the core of American tradition can be found only within the active conservative imagination. Biblical scholars generally agree that Jesus was born not at the end of December, but rather during a warmer season when shepherds would have been more likely to be grazing flocks. The date of the modern-day celebration of the birth of Jesus is thus not religious at all. Following the adoption of Christianity by the Romans, Pope Julius I chose the date Dec. 25 so that Christmas would coincide with the ancient festival of Saturnalia. His goal was to make the holiday as popular as possible. Clearly then, the cultural celebration of a winter holiday preceded and was appropriated by the religious component. For the very reason that Christmas remained more a cultural festival than a religious observance, it was largely rejected in colonial America and especially in the post-revolutionary period. Puritans did not celebrate the holiday at all, and it was banned in Massachusetts from 1659 to 1681. After the American Revolution, Christmas, which was associated with English traditions, was not widely celebrated. Throughout the middle of the 19th century Christian denominations which are now considered mainstream, such as Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists, did not hold services on Christmas because they did not recognize it as a religious holiday. While the emphasis on the religious aspect of Christmas over the cultural aspect is a relatively new phenomenon, opposition to publicly sanctioned religious celebrations of Christmas is not. Throughout the 20th century, educators and advocates of religious minorities acted to block overtly religious celebrations of Christmas from entering the public sphere. Instead of acknowledging the long secular history of the holiday season, conservatives have invented a history which paints Christians as a group under attack by a newly powerful liberal movement to secularize society. In addition to a creative interpretation of world and American history, the rage generated by conservatives at the thought of Christianity rejected from the public sphere requires that America's founding principles be stood on their heads. The first European Americans emigrated to free themselves of the yoke of state-sponsored religion and the tyranny of the majority. The Constitutional framers recognized that minorities were vulnerable in democracy, and they constructed institutional safeguards in response. Now, though, cultural conservatives insist that the right of the majority to have its views sanctioned by the government trumps the principles of official religious neutrality and minority protection. Though the war in defense of Christmas is a completely delusional campaign in defense of nonexistent traditions, it should not be surprising that it has arisen within the contemporary political and cultural climate. Republicans have spent the past 15 years fulfilling Barry Goldwater's dream of politics as culture war. They were monumentally successful in the 1994 congressional elections because they presented themselves as a rebellious minority reining in a majority run roughshod over traditional America. Conservatives have worn the mantle of persecuted minority ever since, even though they now control not only corporate America but every branch of government and much of the media. Screaming that Christmas is under attack is simply a continuation of this charade.

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Dec. 7, 2005 | Real fur should no longer be an option

December 6

Dear Editor: Thank you for running Sydne Summer's opinion piece on fur ("How to... keep fashionably warm and stay animal-friendly" ; Features, Dec. 5). The U.S. fur industry is completely self-regulated and there are no laws that govern the humane care or slaughter of animals killed for their fur. Therefore, animals are often killed using the most horrific methods in order to preserve the pelt. A recent investigation on a fur farm in Midland, Mich. revealed chinchillas who were either electrocuted, causing painful seizures to the animals' hearts, or having their necks snapped while fully conscious. An investigation released last year of fur farms in China - where 80 percent of the world's fur comes from - showed workers attempting to stun animals by repeatedly slamming them against the ground or bashing their heads with clubs, leaving many fully conscious, after the fur was ripped from their bodies. Fur from China ends up in stores all across America. With so many warm synthetics available, there simply is no reason to wear real fur.Kristie PhelpsProgram CoordinatorIn Defense of AnimalsMill Valley, Calif.

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Pom in Prague | Dave Pomerantz

December 6

For the last of these columns, it would be great if I could come up with some big, overarching lesson explaining why studying abroad is so amazing. Or perhaps a more specific anecdote - some cute story with a "wow" moment at the end. Maybe, "But then, under a starry Prague night, I realized that it had actually been a seeing-eye man leading a blind dog. And that made all the difference." Well, sorry, but if it's possible to do that in 800 words, it won't come from me, because my creative juices have all run drier than...see, I can't even complete the metaphor. Just take my word for it and go abroad. With the remaining space, I'll instead throw out a little piece of knowledge that I rediscovered while in Prague: America's got some stuff, too. For instance, I was in Rome and Florence a few weeks ago. I ate better than I ever have in my life. My brother, cousin and I took the first couple of days to see sights, but for the last two days or so, all we did was sit at cafes from sunrise to sunset and just eat our faces off in disgusting displays of engorgement. Meats, cheeses, olives, vegetables, sauces, pastas - all bursting with flavor. Yet now, on the eve of my return to the United States, my thoughts turn only to cheeseburgers and wings. I plan on going directly from the airport to an establishment located about ten minutes from my house that is known as the Candlelight Inn. It is, without question, the greatest vendor of chicken wings on the planet. It also stays open until four in the morning, and I plan on spending every hour of my first day back in this most personal house of worship. Here in the Czech Republic, I was lucky enough to watch a Champions League soccer game between the Sparta Prague and England's Arsenal. I wrote about the experience in an earlier column, but to quickly paraphrase myself, it was pretty amazing. Nonetheless, when I think about sports, I only dream of my beloved Yankees and Giants (8-4 and NFC East leaders, baby), and how good it's going to feel when I'm cooking steaks and burgers in the Meadowlands parking lot the day after I get home, gearing up to watch the Giants' last home game. I've seen some pretty amazing cities here, too. The onion domes of the Frauenkirche punctuate the Munich skyline, just as dozens of spires aspire to reach the omnipresent cloud-cover in Prague. Narrow canals feature tourist-ferrying gondolas in Venice, while broad ones dissect the red light district in Amsterdam. In Berlin, everything is new - it is a shimmering city of glass and steel that is constantly under construction. In Istanbul, everything is ancient - you can't turn the corner without walking into a mosque that has listened to prayers for the past four centuries. But in New York, you can watch a two-ton Spiderman balloon float through midtown as gravy drips down your chin - an experience I heartily missed this Thanksgiving. In Boston, you can picnic on the Common in the shadow of Government Center. You can tour the Budweiser plant in St. Louis, where the beer is free (unlike at the Heineken Museum in Amsterdam, which is still awesome). Hell, if you make it to Juneau, Alaska, you can swim in an ocean, walk in a rainforest and trek up a glacier in one day. Here's my point: One trend that definitely exists at Tufts, and probably other liberal universities as well, is the romanticization of Europe and Canada to the detriment of American culture. The argument goes something like this: "America is racist, classist and prudish. Bush is stupid. I wish I lived in Montreal/Paris/London, etc." Without a doubt, 2005 has been a bad year for the United States. Iraq has shown that our moral compass is spinning around as if just hammered with a magnet. Katrina reminded us that the racial problems we try so hard to sweep under the rug never stay hidden forever. And the CIA leak scandal has undermined many Americans' faith in both our political system and the competence and strength of our media. But the idea that there's something wrong with American culture or with Americans themselves is ludicrous. Americans are as friendly as any other people, and our culture is as worthy of adoration as any other. And therein may lie the moral of this column, which had eluded me until now: Going abroad is a great way to meet new people, discover new cultures, eat new food, watch new sports, and, if you're in college, drink even better and cheaper kinds of alcohol (Italy made me a wine-lover and the Czech Republic rekindled my passionate love affair with beer). But in the end, going abroad also made me realize how great America is and how lucky I am to live there. While I'm in the gracious mood, some quick shout-outs: thanks to Ben Hoffman for paving the way for me in Prague. To my buddies and brother here in Prague for making it such a sweet ride. And, obviously, to Mom and Pops for paying for this whole shindig.

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News

Onward and Upward | A major change of scenery for one 'slacker'

December 6

The fourth annual Tour d'Afrique will begin on Jan. 14, 2006. It's an 11,900-kilometer bicycle race and expedition across Africa, and the event - which has both professional and amateur participants - will include 99 days of racing. That's 120 kilometers traveled per day, on average - and recent Tufts graduate Danny Gold (LA '05), a native of White Plains, N.Y., will be one of the amateur cyclists making the journey. Gold, who majored in English and minored in political science while at Tufts, is currently working three days a week at a real estate office to make enough money to pay for his trip. Since graduating, he has been living in New York. "One of my brothers, who is in his third year at Fordham Law, lives in the East Village," Gold said. "I've spent most of my weekends since graduating at his apartment." When asked about his years at Tufts, Gold described himself as having been a "slacker" whose best memories are of his nights - and early mornings - hanging out with close friends. Gold said that during his four years in college he "was involved in a few things, however, off and on." The two major commitments that he stuck with were Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity (he was a brother) and Fun Fridays, a six-week after-school program for disadvantaged children. During his senior year, Gold was also able to bring his grandmother, who is a Holocaust survivor, to speak at Tufts during the Holocaust Memorial Week. So what inspired Gold - an average young man who loves reading, listening to music and watching movies - to put his life on hold to bike around Africa? "I think part of the allure of me going on this trip is that I can relate pretty well to the many apathetic members of the student body, because I was and still am one of those kids," Gold said. "If I was a really serious-minded, dedicated student and athlete, the idea of me going on this trip would not seem as interesting," Gold said. "But as a slacker representative of my friends and the people like me, I think that I'm going to bring a really unique perspective to this experience." Gold, who has been riding 30 to 40 miles three to four days a week, admitted that he has not been training nearly as hard as he should. He added, however, that there are many reasons why he wants to do this tour. "I am really into traveling and seeing the world, and my abroad experience junior year in Madrid definitely helped with that," Gold said. "It gave me the travel bug." Gold said that he is now ready for something more than just weekend visits to European cities. "I have always had a very romantic image of Africa in my mind, ever since I was a young kid listening to my uncle tell stories about it," he said. (His uncle, Henry Gold, co-founded the Tour d'Afrique.) Gold believes that people are able to gain a whole new perspective once away from their comfort zone for so long. "It's like looking at your life from someone else's shoes," he said. "I need that, especially now at this transition period of my life. That may sound kind of corny and clich?©¤¬ but I mean it." Gold also said that a trip like this can make one a better person - and can help one develop a stronger appreciation of what he or she has. "[A trip like this] can only help you become a more complete and relaxed person," he said. "I really admire the way my uncle is completely calm and assertive under pressure. I feel like this trip will help me become like that, because panicking in the middle of Africa will get you nowhere." As for his life after Africa, Gold says that he hopes to write about his journey and his experience. Concerning his future career plans, though, he remains undecided. "I just know that I'm not ready to accept the fact that I'll be working in an office cubicle for the next 40 years," he said. "Some people say it's immature, but I like to think it's youthful idealism."

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News

Julie Schindall | Making the connections

December 6

While meandering down the Champs-Elysee a few weeks back, my friend turned to me and remarked, "Yeah, Paris has a lot of museums. But seriously, I'm over the art thing - how many more masterpieces are there to see?" Before the politically correct side of you gasps in indignation, take a moment and try to see it from the perspective of the poor American student, stuck in Europe for a semester trying to see every major European destination in thirteen weeks. Escorted across the Old World by night trains and REI trail packs, we tramp from city to city, oohing and aahing over every last amazing building, street, and park while we read out of our guidebooks precisely why these places are important. The risk for becoming dazed and confused runs high. This past weekend, traversing the Forum ruins in Rome, I remarked that the pine trees reminded me of home in San Diego. Fifteen feet in front of me, fellow student Jessica called out happily, "I've stopped looking at trees! They're all the same everywhere anyways!" She then proceeded to trip on a rock - or, rather, an ancient Roman stone. "Ooof!" she remarked. "These people should really consider smoothing out the ground." Now, mind you, Jessica is an intelligent girl, and I like to think I'm no numbskull either. The astounding artistic and historic sights of Europe should be nourishment for earnest students like us, affording us a true-life brush with centuries of some of the world's most important contributions to human life and culture. But as with all good things, everybody - even this dedicated art and culture lover - reaches a saturation point. In Paris especially, the famed city of art, the endless street portrait artists and white marble colonnades admittedly wore thin. I bypassed endless kiosks along the Seine, selling old French books and black-and-white photographs. It was just so Parisian! So French! and I had had enough. Several weeks later, sitting in the State Opera House in Prague (yes, my life reads like a fairy tale), I was reading the company's season book and it suddenly struck me why I was so off-balance about art in Europe. The director's opening remarks read, in part, "...we strive to meet the demand of those opera-goers who are keen to listen to beautiful melodies of the international repertoire's best known operas..." Seated in the far back row of the beautiful hall, halfway through a lovely rendition of "Rigoletto," a muted alarm bell went off in my head. An opera company - an artistic endeavor - devoted to replaying over and over every tourist's favorite opera? Indeed, the hall was filled with different languages, few of them Czech, and most everybody was wearing comfortable sneakers and daypacks. And here began my latest European conundrum, brought on by the repertoire list of the Czech State Opera. European art, from the average tourist's perspective, is all about the old, the famous and the amazing. We slog from museum to museum, glancing at aging paintings under gilt frames just long enough to snap a (forbidden) photograph and shuffle across the marble floors to the next great masterpiece. They're beautiful, and everybody knows it. I won't deny that I love the Louvre and that the Sistine Chapel was truly stunning. My quandary thus develops into my usual interplay between Old World and New World. Tourism is one of Europe's biggest industries, and they sell their art and their history with great skill. But what is new and happening with art in Europe? I admit I am a Classicist when it comes to music; J. S. Bach perfected it back in the 1700s and that's that. But when an entire opera company devotes itself to good old-fashioned favorites, where is the future of art? Is Europe selling a dead beast, an art world that reached its peak with Michelangelo and Mozart and has since been skating on their powerful coattails? After thirteen weeks of clinging to my Eurail, I'm struck by my experience as an American in Europe. The sights, the sounds, and the cultures are beautiful - and perhaps a bit brain-numbing. I still can't decide if the European art world is moving forward or cashing in on the past. But for this young student of art, in the end, it's all good. Fifteen weeks into my study abroad experience, I was nearly brought to tears at the sight of "La Pieta" in St. Peter's Basilica. Yes, it's an old stone, it's protected by a Plexiglas wall - and it is part of the riches of an entire continent's phenomenal artistic tradition.Julie Schindall is a junior majoring in music. She can be reached at Julie.Schindall@tufts.edu.

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