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Students undeterred by Chinatown bus fire

September 29

A ride on the Chinatown bus to New York is cheap, convenient and sometimes explosive. A bus operated by the Fung Wah Bus Transportation company burst into flames just after its 45 passengers evacuated on Interstate 91 on Aug. 16. The bus was on its way from South Station in Boston to Canal Street in New York's Chinatown district. When it exploded, the bus was traveling through Meriden, Conn. Fung Wah, along with other Chinatown bus companies, is now facing price competition from larger companies that travel station-to-station along the same route. Another so-called Chinatown bus, from the Travel Pak company, exploded in March while on the Massachusetts Turnpike. Its passengers got out safely as well. A Sept. 4 article in the Boston Globe revealed some of the Chinatown operations have received lower-than-average safety ratings from the federal government. The article listed details from July's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration report. The report rated safety on a scale of 0 to 100, with 0 being the best and 100 the worst. Fung Wah received a driver risk rating of 73, meaning 73 percent of companies had a lower driver risk. A rating of 75 can trigger a federal investigation. The company is not under investigation from the government, though the explosion incident is being investigated by insurance companies. Travel Pak, a division of Kristine Travel & Tours Inc., received a driver risk rating of 97. Kristine Travel is also not under investigation, but it no longer runs the Travel Pak service between Boston and New York. According to the Globe article, following the Fung Wah bus' explosion, Senator Charles Schumer (Dem., N.Y.) made an appeal for stricter safety measures for bus services. Despite the negative press coverage, Tufts students are still willing to use the Chinatown services. "I would definitely take the Fung Wah bus still because I don't have extra money to spend on more luxurious travel back to New York," freshman Aliza Norcross said. Fung Wah charges $15 each way. Two years ago there was an even cheaper option, $10, for late-night trips. The other bus companies traveling from South Station to Port Authority Station in New York charge more than Fung Wah. Greyhound and Peter Pan each normally charge about $30 but they have online specials for $18. The Greyhound Web site links to Peter Pan. Students interviewed said they did not notice a major difference between the safety of the Chinatown bus services and other companies. "They use the same kinds of buses that Greyhound and Peter Pan do," sophomore Will Kent said. "If you're taking a bus it could burst into flames regardless of what company. They have standards." Kent said he takes a Chinatown bus about three times a year. "I guess the only difference would be how they maintain the bus," he said. Sophomore Alejandro Pinero has taken a Chinatown bus in the past, but he now takes Greyhound because he said it is more convenient. His experience on the Chinatown buses was positive. "I didn't feel threatened at any time," he said. "Safety-wise, it seemed better than I expected." Sophomore Rachel O'Donnell, who has taken the Lucky River bus, another Chinatown company, said the lower online prices for Greyhound and Peter Pan make them an appealing alternative to the Chinatown bus. "You get to go to real stations, and you get to leave on time," she said. "And no explosions." Most students said their ultimate decision depended on the trip's price, not its safety. "I'll take my chances," Norcross said.

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News

Football | Angry, physical Bates squad awaits in Maine

September 29

There was no gloating in the locker room after Saturday's opening-day victory over Wesleyan. Despite the refreshing 16-6 win just six days ago, when the squad rallied from a 6-0 halftime deficit, the Tufts team is trying to stay focused on what they say is a far more important task at Bates tomorrow. "It's going to be a challenge," defensive coordinator John Walsh said. "They're good at reading the defense. When there are six guys in the box, they run. When there are eight, they pass. They do a good job of spreading it between the pass and the run so the other team is left guessing, plus they're physical." Offensively, the Jumbos got a dose of extra physical contact last week at Wesleyan, when Jumbo senior quarterback Casey D'Annolfo was hit by a controversial strong safety blitz late in the fourth quarter. The hit resulted in a 15-yard penalty against Wesleyan, but the Tufts bus was delayed almost an hour leaving Middletown as D'Annolfo got stitches in his chin. D'Annolfo, the Jumbos' senior quarterback who played in six games last season and passed for 531 yards, should be ready to play in tomorrow's game. Still, Tufts has no reason not to expect another physical game. Besides having a reputation within the NESCAC as being one of the more physical teams, Bates is probably looking for redemption after its 47-0 drubbing at the hands of Trinity last Saturday. The White Mules also lost a close game at the hands of Tufts last season, 14-12. "They're out for blood every game," junior defensive end Chris Decembrele said when asked if last week's crushing loss may have an effect on the Bobcats' game-play. "They're always strong, always physical." In addition to the notion that Tufts could be facing a smash-mouth football team that needs to blow off some steam, Bates' quarterback poses an imposing threat. "They have an excellent quarterback [in sophomore Brandon Colon], possibly one of Bates' best quarterbacks ever, so we're going to have to play a great defensive game," Walsh continued. "They have good wide receivers. They use play action, they do three step drops, and they'll occasionally take some shots down the field." Last week at Trinity, Colon didn't look nearly as fearsome, going 9-for-17 with no touchdowns and one interception. However, Bates' numbers versus Trinity may be skewed, as at halftime the Bobcats were actually only losing 7-0. In addition, Trinity's victory over Bates gave them a Div. III-best 23 consecutive wins. Trinity's last loss came over three years ago in 2002, when Williams defeated the Bantams 30-13 in the second game of the season. "Bates' score against Trinity is deceiving," Decembrele said. "They're simply much better than that score shows. Telling you from experience, having played against Bates before, they're strong. They're tough. We beat them right at the end last year." In 2004 the Jumbos scored their final touchdown against the Bobcats in the beginning of the fourth quarter, and held on with seven minutes left after Bates missed a two point conversion that would have tied the game at 14. "We have to watch their quarterback," Decembrele reiterated. "All the coaches in the league speak highly of him; he's one of the better athletes we're going to face all year." Last season as a freshman, Colon started at quarterback and played all season for the Bobcats. During the campaign, he went 115-for-223 (49.4%) for 1,388 yards, with five touchdowns and eight interceptions. Against Tufts last season, Colon was 16-for-27 for 189 yards, with no touchdowns and an interception. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. in Lewiston, Maine.

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News

Two sites for two audiences

September 29

When freshman Deborah Bamel wakes up every morning, the first thing she does is log on to TuftsLife.com. "I check the weather and I use it to check my e-mail," she said. "One day, my computer turned off somehow during the night, and it was horrible. In the morning it was torture to wait for it to turn on and start up because I needed to get on to TuftsLife.com so badly." Four weeks into their Tufts careers, Bamel and other freshmen are already addicted to the Web site that has been an on-campus institution since 2000. The Web site has replaced freshman Marianna Bender's planner. "I usually just go back to the Web site instead of writing things down," she said. TuftsLife.com is her computer homepage, and Bender uses the site for links to student resources pages Blackboard and Student Information System (SIS). "Oh, and of course for the food!" she said. The site is entirely student-run. Its goal, according to the "About" section of the site is "to provide a rich information experience, packed with Tufts-specific content as well as links to the world beyond campus." TuftsLife.com is now available for handheld PDAs and cell phones, so students can be plugged into the campus every hour of every day. TuftsLife.com is the brainchild of two recent Tufts graduates, Mike Masterman (E '03) and Eric Satler (E '03). Masterman and Satler left the task of maintaining the Web site to a small staff. Ten students now help with coding and look through submissions to the site. Three site executive officers are in charge of the site's main content. Each executive officer spends an hour on the site every day, Chief Relations Officer senior Rajit Kapur said. The officers "all work very hard in the hopes that it benefits the Tufts community," he said. Many community members are appreciative of their efforts. "The reason I use TuftsLife.com, I think, is the same reason everyone uses it: it simplifies and combines all the resources a Tufts student needs into an easy-to-use format," freshman Matt Skibinski said. "I use it for everything from looking up campus events to checking the score of the Yankees game." How then, does the Tufts Public Relations office - which is responsible for the school's official Web site, Tufts.edu - feel about TuftsLife.com? "The two sites serve different roles within the community, and I think they coexist well," said Pete Sanborn, Director of Web Communications for Tufts Public Relations. Tufts' official Web site is a valuable resource for students and, unlike TuftsLife.com, also serves as a resource for the world outside, Sanborn said. "The University's main upper-level pages are the online front door to Tufts for a wide range of audiences," Sanborn said. "We work to balance the needs of students, faculty and staff on all three campuses with those of alumni, parents, prospective students, neighbors, media, donors, friends of the University and members of the general public." The main Tufts.edu page features spotlights on certain students, campus projects, faculty members and alumni. "We're part of a vibrant and exciting university, and it's a lot of fun to use our Web sites to showcase many of the people who help make the Tufts community such a rich place to live, learn and work," Sanborn said. The InsideTufts section of Tufts.edu is geared specifically toward current students. In this section undergraduate and graduate students can access a schedule of events on all of Tufts' campuses. InsideTufts also provides visitors with links to Tufts-related news stories. The services provided by Tufts.edu, despite attempts to appeal to current students, may be less practical for undergraduates than those offered by TuftsLife.com. "The last time I was on Tufts.edu was the day I sent in my application," Skibinski said.

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News

Mayor's committee releases plan for police department

September 29

Somerville police officers will get a better feel for the neighborhoods they patrol if the mayor gets his way on a department overhaul. A committee appointed by Mayor Joe Curtatone presented a plan to restructure the Somerville Police Department to the Board of Aldermen on Sept. 21. The recommendations are awaiting a vote by the police unions and then the Board of Aldermen. If the plan is approved, it will be sent to the state legislature for a final vote. The proposed changes center on the department's accountability to city citizens and government. The mayor's proposal includes the addition of substations, giving officers who patrol neighborhoods a base nearby. The closest substation to Tufts would be in the old Powder House School building, which closed in 2003 because of low enrollment. "When it comes to safety on the street, more officers will be closer to the scene," Curtatone spokesperson Mark Horan said. "There will be someone to go to." The restructuring would also change patrols, as officers will be shifted to areas with higher crime rates. "Right now there are an equal number of officers in low-crime areas and high-crime areas," Horan said. "The area surrounding Tufts University has relatively low crime. The restructuring will address that." The overall number of officers in the Tufts area would not decrease because the plan calls for putting police officers currently on desk jobs out on the street. Officers would be permanently assigned to the new substations, letting them patrol the same area for a longer period. Under the current system, officers rarely patrol the same area two nights in a row. The officers are assigned areas based on seniority in a bidding process. "Accountability is key," Horan said. "Right now, there's no way to hold officers accountable for certain actions." He said the substations would address this issue. Another section of the plan would move the city's police chief from a civil service position to being directly responsible to the mayor. The change will give the mayor more authority when recommending changes to the department. The proposal is awaiting reactions from all three police unions and from Bob Trane, the Ward 7 alderman. The Superior Officers' Union has already approved the plan by an 18-4 vote. The Patrolmen's Union and the Sergeants' Union have yet to vote. The three unions will either approve or reject the proposed changes, but the vote will likely be followed by collective bargaining on the details. The Board of Aldermen will not step in until the unions have approved the plan. "I want to hear how the officers are buying into the plan," Trane said. "If they don't support it, then obviously, it won't work." The proposed changes may have the largest impact on the Patrolmen's Union because many of its members would be transferred off their desk jobs and onto the streets. Trane said it is too early to predict if the proposed changes would be effective. "We will hold [more] hearings about the deployment plan on how the reorganization will work," he said. "We need to ask more questions and have more time to understand the plan." The mayor's committee was led by former Middlesex County Attorney General Scott Harshbarger. The committee included the State Police Superintendent Colonel Thomas Robbins, Lowell Police Chief Edward Davis and Ward 6 Alderman Jack Connolly. The committee spent three months studying the city's police department and patrolling structure before making its recommendations.

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News

TOEFL language proficiency exam adds speaking section

September 29

Foreign students, especially those from Asia, should start practicing their vowels and consonants. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) has been revamped, and some educators think the new speaking section might affect Asian students more than others. The new test was given for the first time on Saturday, Sept. 24. The TOEFL is required for Tufts undergraduate admissions for students whose first language or the language of instruction in their school is not English. Changes were made in response to complaints that students who scored well on the TOEFL were unable to communicate effectively once they came to the United States. The new test includes a mandatory speaking section. It will be incorporated into the other three sections: listening, reading and writing. The previously separate sections will be combined, so students will have to speak and write their answers to listening and reading comprehension exercises. The Educational Testing Service provides an example of a speaking question on its Web site. "Some universities require first-year students to live in dormitories on campus. Others allow students to live off campus. Which policy do you think is better for first-year students and why? Include details and examples in your explanation," one example question said. Test takers are given 15 seconds to prepare and then 45 seconds to answer the question. Students record their answers for the speaking section using a microphone. The test is also now taken online, though students must go to a testing center to access the Web site. The test's new name is TOEFL iBT, for Internet-based test. The price of the test - $140 - is not changing. "Speaking and listening are important in the process of learning a language," sophomore Amod Rajbhandari said. "If you can't speak, you're left behind." Rajbhandari, originally from Nepal, lived in India for ten years. The biggest criticism of the new test is that it may put Asian students at a disadvantage. English teachers in Asia tend to focus on reading, writing, and grammar skills. "'We're all kind of thinking this is going to be more of a challenge to Asian students," a spokesperson from Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions told the Associated Press on Sunday. The University's admissions officers have not yet met to discuss the implications of the changes to the test. The changes will not affect the requirements for international applicants. "The tests are required elements of our work and will continue to be so," Dean of Admissions Lee Coffin said. International students at Tufts supported the changes. Sophomore Alejandro Pinero, originally from Spain, has friends whose high schools did not emphasize English speaking skills. "Having a conversation is so much more spontaneous, so it was very difficult for these students," he said. Another student, sophomore Alex Sultan-Kahn, said the changes may encourage foreign schools to change the way they teach English. "Schools might have to have English classes with more focus on communication in English," he said. Sultan-Khan grew up in Germany and Pakistan. The TOEFL was first given in 1964, and 750,000 students took the test last year alone.

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News

Take note: 'Dear Wendy' is nothing to write home about

September 29

Something always seems to be awry in a portrait of the industrial town in depictions of rural America. If the sheriff's not a crook or the doctor's not a crank, then at least the impoverished landscape provides a breeding ground for discrimination or distrust within the community. This idea is the fascination of many artists, and it does not escape the work of director Lars von Trier, who, with previous films like "Dancer in the Dark" (2000) and "Dogville" (2003), proves himself a writer of doom once again with "Dear Wendy." Teaming up with fellow director and Dogme 95 (a mid-90's naturalist Danish filmmaking movement) member Thomas Vinterberg, von Trier tells the tale of misfits down a mineshaft that barrels through themes of loneliness and delusion, but ultimately misses its mark, whatever that may be. It is tempting to call "Dear Wendy" an experiment gone sour, for that description mirrors its plot. Dick, (Jamie Bell) a young man living in a generic mining town, is a self-described loner, a loser instead of a "real man" working down in the mines. When he discovers that a toy gun he bought as a gift and forgot about is an actual gun, however, he becomes inexplicably attracted to it, despite his pacifist principles. Eventually Dick and his gun-expert friend Stevie (Mark Webber) decide that the empowerment they've found through carrying but not brandishing their guns ought to be shared with the town's other losers. The social experiment takes shape as a clandestine club called the Dandies is formed and cultivated to be a space for said loners to bond and find purpose through the craft of weaponry. Of course, their best intentions of never shooting their guns at people backfire when an outsider (Danso Gordon) enters the scene and turns their delicate fantasy into gruesome reality. "Dear Wendy" walks that line of fantasy and reality in more ways than one, with its contrived, cookie-cutter characters bathed in natural light and shot often with hand-held cameras (a hallmark of Dogme 95 style). This intentionally sparse style often distracts more than it adds. The dingy set design and the Dandies' ornamental costumes are theatrical, but perhaps believable within this misguided fable. The work of cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle is engaging, but some of the beauty is lost in the film's gray "realist" palate. One purely positive thing the film offers is the dominance of adventurous '60s band The Zombies on its soundtrack. The group's songs are tied directly into the plot, including one instance of diegetic use when Dick puts on an old album in good spirits. However, The Zombies' tunes are so effective at setting the mood throughout the film that they distract audience members into thinking that they like the same music as the misfit Dandies. This brings up a number of points of confusion: Is the audience meant to be empathetic to or appalled by the Dandies? Do we sympathize with the loners or hate them for even trying to carve a niche in an unforgiving world? As a von Trier story, we know that things are not going to end well from the outset of the film. Yet even awareness of this impending doom does not guide the viewer to the "intended" understanding of the film. While there's likely no correct interpretation, it is frustrating to vacillate between viewing the story as one that the doing-nothing-going-nowhere losers of the audience can relate to and one that is too far removed into Americana portraiture for anyone to feel. Both writer and director deny any intention of making a film that critiques American gun culture, or rural American culture at that. Fine. But there's nothing that keeps the film from screaming, "I'm a parody of a Western!" in the final act. The unbridled violence is expected from the beginning, but in the end is not warranted. The story just doesn't earn the right to have a "shoot 'em up 'til they're down" conclusion, even if we know it's coming. "Dear Wendy" does not scream anything distinctively; if there's a moral it is lost in the gun smoke, and if there's a directive of how to feel then it's not commanding enough to be noticed. The film is not a total dud, and especially not for von Trier fans who will find it consistent with his body of work. Perhaps it redeems itself in part by making you question what you are supposed to think of it, not unlike staring at an untitled Pollack canvas; you know there is structure and purpose beyond those scattered, gray globs of paint... probably.

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News

Baby, money can't buy you health

September 29

One hundred-fifty-nine games have not been enough to decide the American League East. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are going to be facing off this weekend in a final battle for the division championship. Depending on how the Cleveland Indians fare over their final three games, it's possible that either Boston or New York might not make the post-season. That seemed highly unlikely at the start of the season, as both teams were stacked with talent. But injuries have ravaged the rosters of both clubs. If Major League Baseball added cortisone to its list of banned substances, neither team would have enough players to fill a lineup. For the Red Sox, Keith Foulke and Curt Schilling have fought achy lower bodies all year. Injuries eventually got the best of Foulke, as his bad knees forced him to shut it down for the season. Schilling, who was fighting ankle problems, is still hanging on by a thread, but he has yet to find the consistency that has made him a dominant starter in years past. David Wells is also having knee problems, and he is hoping that a recent cortisone shot will help alleviate some of the pain (he might want to think about losing some weight as well). Wells is a big game pitcher, and he will surely relish his role starting tonight in the first game of the series against his former team. If he can fight the pain and maintain his control, he'll be tough to beat. The Sox have been a bit shorthanded on the offensive side as well. Centerfielder Johnny Damon not only looks like a caveman, he also sometimes plays as aggressively as one. All of his diving and crashing into walls have cost Damon in health, and he has received numerous cortisone shots in his shoulders. If you thought his throwing arm was bad before, wait until you see him now-it's not pretty. Unfortunately, some of the players who have stayed healthy are the least productive. Kevin Millar is still bringing it every night. It's just hard to figure out exactly what he brings. A hot September has actually helped him bring his OPS to a fairly mediocre .755. "Well", you (or Sox manager Terry Francona) would say, "he's a right-handed hitter so he makes a good platoon partner for lefty John Olerud." But Millar's OPS against lefties this year is a pathetic .694 (compared with Olerud's .862 OPS in 39 at-bats). So why is Millar playing so much? "Well," you would say, "he plays excellent defense and he's fast." And of course, if you said that, you'd be an idiot. But really, why all the playing time? The answer is that Terry Francona, though a fine manager, has a weak spot for certain veterans like Millar. Besides, Millar keeps outfielder Manny Ramirez happy. That appears to be his main value. Why doesn't Boston just bring in Chris Rock to crack some jokes and keep Manny entertained? At least Rock wouldn't eat up at-bats that could potentially be used by Olerud or Roberto Petagine. As mentioned earlier, the Yankees have been bit by the injury bug as well. Their injuries have been almost exclusively on the pitching side. Carl Pavano, their major free agent acquisition over the winter, only pitched 100 innings before flaming out with an arm injury. Jaret Wright also battled injury problems all season. He has returned recently but has been very inconsistent. Kevin Brown pitched only 73 innings this season before biting the dust, but at least he didn't inflict any injuries on himself (with the help of a water cooler) this season. Mike Mussina also recently came back from an arm injury but he was hit very hard in his last start. All these injuries mean that instead of two heavyweights fighting hard to the finish, this final regular season series may look more like the boxers each have a hand tied behind their backs.

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News

Senator promotes unpaid internship stipend

September 29

Senior Rafi Goldberg wants to make sure students can afford an unpaid summer internship. At the Tufts Community Union Senate meeting on Sunday, Sept. 25, senator Goldberg announced a proposal to pay a stipend to 50 students who have an unpaid internship. The plan would pay students for housing, food and other costs of living during the internship out of an endowment fund. The money for the fund would be provided from funds raised during the University's next capital campaign, which has a fundraising target of $1 billion. Part of the campaign's income will go toward making the University's admissions process need blind. The rest of the money will be divided among the schools. "They wanted ideas," Goldberg said. "I gave them an idea." Goldberg has been working on the proposal since the spring. He ran for Tufts Community Union president on a platform that included the internship stipend. While the capital campaign is being prepared, Goldberg said, what remains to be done for the internship stipend is "a matter of finding the right donor." He described the internship stipend as "a great thing that could help more Tufts students be prepared for the real world." The proposal was well received by the senators. "I think most people were in favor of it because it's something that will help students," President Jeff Katzin said. Katzin said the University's financial situation could make implementing the proposal difficult. Dave Baumwoll, last year's president, said he tried to create an internship stipend last year. "The idea was one of the major objectives I wanted to accomplish," he said.

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News

Diplomacy is 'confused, complex, contradicting'

September 29

Effective diplomacy requires pragmatism, patience and a willingness to give up any hope of a personal life, Sir Kieran Prendergast said Thursday evening. Prendergast, the former United Nations under secretary of political affairs, discussed the evolving use of diplomacy with about 70 mostly graduate students and faculty in the ASEAN Auditorium in the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. "Foreign policy must be made with the head, though with full awareness of the heart," Prendergast said. Practical diplomacy and alliance-building require diplomats to see things the way they are, not the way they want them to be, he said. Diplomats have to analyze the nature of problems and their expected consequences - and whether proposed solutions will solve the problem or merely manage it. Prendergast focused the most attention on the importance of resilience, patience and persistence. "Short term expediency will usually come back to bite you," he said. He emphasized the need for diplomats to follow their moral compass. Ideals are necessary to navigate the "confused, complex and contradicting" realities of diplomacy, he said. Prendergast stressed the importance of honesty, integrity, courtesy, accuracy, modesty and discretion - values he said remained relevant. Prendergast also discussed the limits of diplomacy. "War is the failure of diplomacy," he said. "But there are just causes and there are just wars." The lead of the war in Iraq was "a failure of diplomacy all around," Prendergast said. A more sustained commitment to diplomacy may have allowed for a United Nations Security Council consensus on a plan of action, he said. It would have been harder for the United States to abandon diplomatic methods if the Security Council had a better history of consistency and resolve. The United Nations works best as a permanent forum for countries to air their grievances and for smaller countries to have an audience with more important ones. "One of the UN's most useful functions is as a standing conference," Prendergast said. Much of the United Nations' actual business, though, takes place away from the camera. "In many ways corridors matter more than conferences," he said. Diplomats often negotiate in "smoky rooms" on the building's 30th floor, he said. The United Nations can often accomplish more things than a group of countries because it is not suspected of having ulterior motives. Prendergast praised Secretary General Kofi Annan for working patiently to expand the use of preventive diplomacy, mediation and peace building. Prendergast has a long history in the Foreign Service. He previously served as the United Kingdom's ambassador to Turkey and as his country's high commissioner to Kenya and Zimbabwe. He announced his resignation from the United Nations in May. He officially left the Department of Political Affairs on June 30, but will remain on staff at the United Nations until the end of the year. This fall he is a Goodman Fellow at Harvard University and is writing a report based on his experiences at the Department of Political Affairs. During the question and answer session, Prendergast gave candid responses to the audience. One person in the audience asked if Prendergast would recommend a career in the Foreign Service. The enjoyable part of diplomacy is traveling and being immersed in other cultures, Prendergast said, and the deteriorating international environment is providing less and less opportunity for these experiences. To a British student, Prendergast described the persistent stereotype of diplomats held by the people of Great Britain - an elderly, gin-and-tonic drinking man who only ever speaks to other diplomats. Prendergast is married with two sons and two daughters. A Foreign Service career can be attractive for a bachelor or bachelorette, he said, but long periods away from home can put a strain on diplomats who are married or who have children.

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News

Noam Chomsky: Terror is not a high priority in the world

September 29

Nearly three years after his last appearance on the Hill, Noam Chomsky was back Thursday night to talk about the failures of U.S. foreign policy, including what he called the "grotesque" situation in Iraq. Chomsky, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology linguistics and philosophy professor outspoken on social and political issues, addressed a packed room in Pearson 104. Students lined the aisles and in some cases sat behind the podium. Just before Chomsky entered the room, one of the organizers said the speech might be given in Cohen Auditorium - prompting many students to leave the room only to wind up missing the speech. The four major crises facing the world, Chomsky said, are: nuclear war, environmental disaster, the indifference of the superpowers to the first two problems, and the failure of the superpowers to make amends for past mistakes. But Chomsky spent most of his 90-minute speech and hour-long question-and-answer session on Iraq, Iran and the War on Terror. The press is unable to communicate the scale of destruction in Iraq, Chomsky said, because reporters are confined to the safety zones around the capital. The destruction of a foreign country is not a new phenomenon in U.S. foreign policy, he added. Chomsky mentioned the history of U.S. involvement in Iraq and Iran, including aiding Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein during his war with Iran from 1980 to 1988. "Bush, Blair, Powell and Rice bitterly denounce Saddam for crimes in the 1980s," Chomsky said, referring to the President, the British Prime Minister, and the two most recent American Secretaries of State. "What is missing is [Saddam] committed those crimes with our help." Chomsky also said the sanctions imposed on Iraq during the George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton Administrations led to the death of hundreds of thousands of children. The United States has a "standard operating procedure to put sanctions on the government and arm the militia," he said. "We also should be paying reparations to Iran and Iraq for 50 years of torture," Chomsky said. When he spoke in Cohen Auditorium on Nov. 18, 2002 - as the likelihood of a war in Iraq grew - Chomsky said the George W. Bush Administration did not want to address the root causes of terrorism, only to promote an "unending war." He echoed a similar sentiment Thursday evening. "One reasonable conclusion: terror is not a high priority in the world," he said. "Securing gas and resource is." The war in Iraq has caused more terrorism and the Bush Administration knew that would happen, Chomsky said. The speech also addressed the current U.S. nuclear dilemma with Iran. At a United Nations meeting earlier this month, the Iranian president declared his intention to give nuclear technology to other Muslim countries. The U.S. strategy of preventive attack on Iraq set a dangerous precedent for rogue states, Chomsky said. "If Iran were to adopt U.S. and British standards, Iran would develop nuclear weapons and carry out terrorists attacks in the U.S.," he said. Following his prepared speech, so many students lined up to ask question that Chomsky had to turn to a moderator to pick questioners. American political institutions encourage a foreign policy directed at securing resources, he said. The Democratic and Republican Parties are "far to the right of the American population," Chomsky said. The government is largely influenced by corporations, he said, and the public rarely knows the stances of candidates. Under corporate influence, even democratic "governments typically want to control their own population" Chomsky said. "They don't want democracy." News and information about foreign policy must be carefully scrutinized for accuracy, he said. "The people at the wrong end of the club typically have a clearer view of the world."

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News

American Dream' is a Davis Square awakening

September 29

Located in the heart of Davis Square, next to McIntyre and Moore Booksellers used book store, lies a hidden Somerville treasure. Nestled in the cozy basement of the small building next door, Jimmy Tingle's Off Broadway Theater (JTOB), aside from hosting various comedians, showcases Tingle himself three times weekly performing a hilarious yet poignant one-man show, "Jimmy Tingle's American Dream." The show opens with Tingle describing the discovery of America, adding humor to the history we all know, and takes us up to current headlines by the second act. He then opens the floor up to a question and answer session, fielding questions such as: "Where do you cut your hair?", "When are you running for public office?", and "Will you take Conan O'Brien's spot when he replaces Jay Leno?" The show is both side-splittingly funny and moving, not an easy feat to accomplish. Nothing is sacred and everything Tingle says is honest as he jumps from religion to the war to the Red Sox to alcoholism and then back again. Tingle has the audience switching from hysterical laughter to solemn silence in minutes. This transition is made possible by Tingle's perfect timing and tone. Excitement builds in the theater when he describes the 2004 baseball season; the sadness and shame is evident as Tingle offers his reasons for why our government doesn't count the number of Iraqis killed in the war; minutes later, the audience is once again laughing as Tingle impersonates a yoga instructor. The Cambridge-born comedian began his comedy career in the '80s doing standup at local Boston venues. Now regarded as among the top humorists and social commentators in the country, Tingle has appeared on "The Tonight Show," "Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn" and "The Late Show with Conan O'Brien," among others. He also completed two seasons with "60 Minutes II." "Jimmy Tingle's American Dream" is the frontman's fourth one-man show and his second to debut in his Off Broadway Theater. Although Tingle leans very obviously to the left, his humor and candor are real enough to allow Republicans to appreciate his show as well. Even if you don't agree with what Tingle says, you will enjoy the way says it. Perhaps the best thing about "Jimmy Tingle's American Dream" is the way Tingle identifies with the country: he clearly loves America, and wants everyone in the audience to walk away with the love that he feels. Although Tingle discusses some distressing topics during the show, his feeling of hope is apparent. Part of Tingle's American Dream is to make America belong to everyone, not just a select few. He tries to stress this during the play, which gives the whole evening a feeling of optimism. At the end of the night, "Jimmy Tingle's American Dream" just makes you feel good. JTOB, which is really just a basement, is the perfect venue for a show like this, seating only 200 people. The stage is not raised and is just feet away from the audience. This intimate setting is perfect for a night of comedy, politics, and the American experience. Aside from running "Jimmy Tingle's American Dream" three nights a week, JTOB features various other comedians and plays, and tickets are 50 percent off for students. 'Jimmy Tingle's American Dream" has an open-ended run at JTOB, meaning that Tingle will perform it as long as people keep buying tickets. Tingle promises that the show will run at least through Thanksgiving. Jimmy Tingle gives the audience a thought-provoking and enjoyable night in his American Dream. With student tickets ranging from $7.50 to $12.50, and the theater less than 15 minutes away, there is no reason not to go.

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Garmirian's late goal gives team needed victory

September 29

The women's soccer team upped its winning streak to five straight games yesterday, defeating the Worcester State Lancers 1-0, in Worcester behind a lone goal from senior tri-captain Lindsay Garmirian. The win puts the Jumbos at 5-1 overall (2-1, NESCAC) on the season, and also secures the squad's regional number one ranking heading into this weekend's conference bout with the Bates Bobcats. "We didn't play badly, but we certainly didn't play our best," senior tri-captain Sarah Callaghan said. "We just couldn't put the ball in the net. We ended up doing what we had to do, though, putting the ball in the goal and getting the victory. A win's a win so we'll take it." Despite getting off 18 shots in the game, the Jumbos were unable to capitalize on any of their opportunities until late in the second half. With 4:00 left in regulation, senior tri-captain Ariel Samuelson sent a high corner kick into the box. Sophomore Lauren Fedore headed the ball to Callaghan, who then headed it into the center of the box. There waited Lindsay Garmirian, who took possession of the ball and drilled it into the net to give Tufts the only goal in the game. Junior Annie Ross earned her second shutout of the season, tallying four saves in the effort and bringing her record to 5-1 on the season. The game was the first time the Jumbos were forced to play on a turf field this season, and even after practicing on Tufts' own Bello field this week, the squad was still a little shaky at the start. "They're used to playing on the turf and we aren't," Callaghan said, "so it took us a while to settle down. It was a completely different game and we're going to be happy to get back on the grass." The Jumbos will return to conference action on Saturday, leaving the comforts of Kraft Field for Lewiston, Maine, where they will take on a Bates. The Bobcats sport a 3-1 record and currently find themselves in first place in the conference, half a game ahead of a batch of teams, including Tufts, at 2-1. The Bobcats are coming off a prolific scoring weekend against conference opponents Conn College and Trinity, coming away with 6-1 and 7-1 victories, respectively. Junior forward Kim Alexander was named NESCAC Player of the Week for her efforts in the games, tallying four goals over the weekend to bring her total to five on the season, good for second in the conference. Bates' third win came at the hands of the Bowdoin Polar Bears, a squad who the Jumbos have yet to face, but the Bobcats' one loss this season came at home against the Amherst Lord Jeffs, a team Tufts dominated last weekend. "Every NESCAC game is huge for us," Callaghan said. "It's our third away game of the week, and we're not going to worry about them, but just worry about ourselves and playing up to our potential. We finally have everyone back, and we have yet to play a perfect game, so we're just going to go out tomorrow and work on playing the way we know how to play." The Jumbos will counter on attack with a few NESCAC leaders of their own. Senior co-captains Ariel Samuelson and Callaghan currently sit tied for fourth in the conference in points per game (2.00) and total points (10). Samuelson is tied for fourth in the conference in goals scored with four and goals per game (.80), while Callaghan leads the NESCAC in assists and assists per game with six and 1.16, respectively. The defense will certainly have its hands full in dealing with Alexander, but countering tough offenses is certainly nothing new for the Jumbos. After having shut down the Middlebury and Amherst attacks, the back four Jumbos and Ross are more than ready to take on the challenge. "Our defense has been playing really well together, so I'm not too worried," Callaghan said. "We need to continue to play compactly and not let them get the ball through us or over our heads. We just need to keep playing team defense like we've been doing and we'll be fine."

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Cole Liberator | Hot Peas and Butter

September 28

Bud and baseball. PBR and field hockey. Amstel and jai-alai. There's just something about alcohol and watching sports that truly exemplifies the ideal partnership. After all, watching sports is one of the more competitive experiences you can have without actually doing anything, and nothing fuels the competitive juices like booze. Your average fan at a sparsely crowded Division III lacrosse game, such as 35 to 90 percent of the Tufts Lax home games, might be a little gun-shy getting the De-FENSE chant going, but put a beer in him and he'll hop the fence and start doing push-ups on the field after a goal. And while it could be said that alcohol will have this effect in any given situation, sports provide a generally acceptable venue to release that newfound energy. If you were taking a test in organic chemistry, for example, you'd naturally have some difficulty, as taking an orgo test isn't exactly like playing the Clippers. Imagine, if you will, somebody standing outside the window yelling, "You'll never finish! You suck at combustion reactions ... And your shirt sucks!" Even if this situation hasn't taken place all that often, you can imagine how your concentration might begin to falter. Maybe you'd get a little pissed off and break your pencil, costing you precious seconds. Or maybe you'd curse at the student sitting next to you, prompting your professor to send you to the box for two minutes. And if this kind of heckling doesn't seem too realistic, I guarantee a whole bunch of people reading this column would be right there outside that window if they were a few brews into a Friday morning. Which brings us to the two sides of the vocal sports spectator that are most prominently augmented by booze: the cheerer and the heckler. I wouldn't argue that anyone needs alcohol to root for the home team or to boo the visiting starting lineup. When something good or bad happens on the field or court, a good fan will show his approval or disapproval, which in turn should help to motivate his team. The beauty of the fan with beer in hand is that he doesn't need a reason to open his mouth. All he needs is a program. "Mother of pearl!" he'd say, "This guy's name is Fenster! Hey, Fenster! Fenster! Fenster!" If you've ever had someone say your name four times in four seconds, you know that it's more annoying than getting your mailbox filled with e-mails telling you that your mailbox is filling up. A player's number, or his hometown, or the way he runs are all fair game. And cheering requires nothing more than hearing the ref blow the whistle to start the game, or a friend on the team glancing towards the stands. Every good play by the home team is greeted with full emotion. Nobody would argue that school spirit on this campus is one of Tufts' selling points. In my experience, I've only ever felt strong instinctive ties to this school at an athletic event. And let's be honest, athletics aren't really emphasized here. Sure, the Daily puts in a little chart with the week's schedule, but more freshmen probably know what's being served at Carmichael on a Saturday than who Tufts is playing in football. And just think if you wound up at a place like Michigan, with games being advertised on national television. The point is that Tufts pride isn't extremely visible on campus, but the best place to find it is at a game. The first time I ever felt proud to be a Jumbo was at my first lacrosse game freshman year, when we all donned our "Welcome to Browntown" shirts, got hammered, and made our way to the field. The other team, both players and coaches, were taunted mercilessly, every goal and check was cheered enthusiastically, and the referees eventually told us all to turn it down or risk getting our team penalized. It was about as perfect a spectator experience as I'd ever had. Want to know what the best part was? The parents absolutely loved us. We got the crowd going, especially with the Browntown chants ("Give me a brown! Give me a town! What's that spell?"), and after every goal, one father would shower us with Jumbo Nuts (just bags of peanuts, sicko). After that game, I was hooked. I still boozed for most of the weekend games, but I found that in the midst of my drunken fun, I actually began to care about the team. It became my team, a team that would make me feel upset after a loss, a team that I'd read about in the paper whenever I could; I had become a fan, and being a Jumbo took on a whole new meaning. Obviously, there are lines that fans should not cross as spectators of a game, and drinking tends to blur those lines. Throwing rotten limes at the visiting goalie probably wasn't, in retrospect, a smart thing to do a couple seasons ago. But sports are a wonderful part of the college experience, and at a Div. III level, it is much easier to be close to the players, both on and off the field. Just going to a game in any state of mind is a fun way to take a break from whatever stress is currently occupying your time. Just ask any athlete if he or she would prefer a sober or drunk group of fans at the next home game and most would be happy to have his or her supporters pounding that Budweiser before the contest. Instant support, instant opponent intimidation, and instant spirit juice can be found in a twelve ounce can. So if you want to encounter a pairing as perfectly matched as Janet Reno and "My Sharona," try cracking one open and rooting on the men and women at Tufts.Cole Liberator is a senior majoring in history. He can be reached via e-mail at cole.liberator@tufts.edu

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The Secret Life of... a married undergraduate

September 28

Most Tufts students last May were cramming for finals and dreaming of a carefree summer break. Then-junior Nicole Balkind had a different landmark on the horizon: she was planning her wedding to then-senior Brandon Balkind. They tied the knot Graduation Weekend in the church on Powderhouse Blvd. The marriage plan had not been a haphazard one, ?  ¬a Britney and Jason Alexander. Nicole and Brandon met in a high school Russian class. The couple started dating during a month-long trip to Moscow. They've been together ever since. Brandon, who is a year older than Nicole, came to Tufts first. "My dad didn't think it was a good idea to go to Tufts, but I wanted to go since before I met [Brandon]," Nicole said. "I'm an IR [international relations] major - I've always wanted to do IR." The couple first talked about marriage Nicole's freshman year. They initially decided to wait until Nicole graduated from Tufts to tie the knot. However, there was a change of plans along the way: Brandon decided in the fall of 2004 that he wanted to join the army after he graduated in the spring. "So then we had to decide - should we still get married when I graduated or just get married when he graduated?" Nicole explained. "Obviously it was a really big decision." The couple decided to marry before Brandon entered the army. "Once you're in, they own you," she said. "And there's no guarantee he would be back." Nicole wanted her fianc?©? to make important decisions about the wedding. "I didn't like the idea of planning the wedding without him," Nicole said. "It would have been my wedding, not our wedding." Both students were enrolled full time at Tufts that spring while they planned and perfected the details for the event. "Talk about taking four classes, planning a wedding and working," Nicole said. "And I didn't fail." Nicole broke the news to her parents while at home for Thanksgiving break. "I wanted to do it face-to-face," she said. "I'm an only child - my dad's a little protective." Her parents' reactions were predictable. "My dad said that it was crazy, [but] my mom said she figured she'd be hearing that sooner or later." Brandon formally proposed in December. The couple honeymooned in New Orleans. "It was kind of surreal getting married and then two days later going to graduation," Nicole said. Brandon's military training cut the newlyweds' time together short. Two weeks after the wedding Brandon was in boot camp. During the ten weeks of training, Nicole spoke to her new husband for 16 minutes. "I sent a letter every single day," Nicole said. "He could only write one per week. That was hard." Brandon is now in advanced training outside of the New England area. Nicole is planning to visit him over Columbus Day weekend and Thanksgiving. Only wives are allowed to visit the trainees. "I have a military ID now, so I can sign him off the base," she said. For Nicole married life is little different than college life. "For all of college I've been in this completely committed relationship ... we've never taken breaks. It's never been an issue," she said. "We spent all our time together." The biggest difference for Nicole is as a spouse, she sees her husband far less now than before they tied the knot. "It's not a factor of marriage, it's a factor of the military," she said. "But the military is the reason we are married." Other than her changed marital status, Nicole's social life remains relatively the same. "I still go to parties - last week I went to a frat," Nicole said. She finds being married makes the party scene easier in some ways. "You don't ever think that anyone's hitting on you," she said. And if someone does hit on her? "I just flash the ring, and that's been done several times at clubs," she laughed. Nicole has yet to get used to joint bank accounts and other financial worries. "We have a joint account, but it still feels like my money and his money," she said. Another financial concern is the looming repayment of college loans: "All of a sudden, instead of X number of student loans, we have double," Nicole said. Nicole has no doubt that she made the right decision to get married. "It makes my relationship a lot easier because it's more solid," she said. Some others - friends, coworkers, random bystanders who catch a glimpse of the ring - feel otherwise. While she was getting her makeup done at a department store counter on the day of her wedding, a woman who had been divorced twice tried to convince Nicole she was making a mistake. "People say 'You're too young to get married,' and 'What were you thinking?'" she said. "I don't feel like I have to defend it, but I find myself explaining and defending it to everyone." Nicole finds it hard to be married and separated, the alternative would be much worse. "It's easier to be married and apart than not be married," she said.

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Ben Swasey | From Way Down Town

September 28

This past weekend's best sports action didn't occur on a diamond or the gridiron (although I loved the fourth quarter of the Patriots game when Brady proved to be, once again, The Man). Instead, the most exciting and most competitive sporting event came to us from a golf course in Virginia. There, the United States team beat the International squad 18.5 to 15.5 in the 2005 President's Cup. For those of you that don't know a seven-iron from a clothing iron, the President's Cup is a biannual competition that pits 12 American golfers against a dozen from the non-European world in a series of team and individual matches. Winning matches gains points, and 17.5 points wins the event. I'll just address your thoughts now by giving you a little scenario of what my life is like: I am 19-years-old, I extensively watch and enjoy golf on TV, and I live in a van down by the river! (R.I.P. Farley). I am, also, a slave to great sports, and that's just what this Cup was. First, I loved this weekend's President's Cup because few major American sports offer their best playing for their country in a non-Olympic setting. And you'll never see Phil Mickelson pull a Shaq by skipping out on international competition. This, like a battle of heavyweights, featured 11 of the top 15 players in the world, six of whom were Americans. Second, unity and teamwork - rarities on the golf course - were overwhelming here. The format itself calls for combined strategy and the ability to rely on a partner. Teammates congratulated each other after every great shot. They planned who to play with and who to go against. And, when they were done, they sat around the greens supporting teammates; a cheering section with like-colored polo shirts. For these golfers used to playing alone and against everyone else, the team concept brings a definite sense of camaraderie along with some added pressure. These players are used to playing for a paycheck, but they will admit that having to make a putt for their team and their country is more daunting - and more rewarding. Thursday and Friday's team action resulted in a slim one-point lead for the Internationals. Duos to establish themselves as unbeatable included the foreign pair of Retief Goosen and Adam Scott and the American team of Mickelson and Chris DiMarco, both of which did not lose a match. Friday also saw ailing partners Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk gain a point for the U.S. This brings me to a Tiger sidebar. I don't root for Woods, not because I dislike him, but because I like to see other players win and watch underdogs topple golf's Goliath. But this weekend, I found myself fist pumping along with Woods. This golf was a team sport, and I was pulling hard for the U.S., even if it meant cheering on "that guy." Some point to Tiger's relatively poor record in Cup matches as evidence that he only cares about his solo career, but Tiger seemed more excited and focused than any other golfer. On Saturday, as points became more crucial, the play became better. Shots were dialed in to the pin, long bombs were rolled in on the greens, and birdies were the norm. After morning and afternoon matches, the U.S. had tied the score at 11. The day was highlighted by Mickelson and DiMarco's ridiculously good eight-under par score through 15 holes in alternate shot play. Sunday featured 12 singles matches. Early on, the leaderboard was covered in red, white, and blue, but things tightened up as the day progressed. The quality of play remained stellar as the drama kicked into high gear. Goosen nailed two putts over 40 feet on his way to beating Woods. American David Toms had to make a long eagle putt to halve a hole after his opponent, Trevor Immelman, drained a bunker shot for his three. In the end, it was the Americans who were clutch. One of the team's captain's picks, Fred Couples, relived some past memories by hitting a long putt on 18 to defeat powerful Vijay Singh. The real star was DiMarco, who, with Cup points tied, hit the greatest 15-foot putt of his career on the final hole to win his match and clinch victory for the U.S. He finished the week with a combined 4-0-1 record. After being mobbed by his team, he hilariously said that he "[couldn't] wait to open that first six-pack." Good thing he was done driving. (Golf joke!) Anyway, a winning putt is, to me, one of the best athletic thrills. A player anxiously lines it up as he tries to control his nerves. He takes a breath and fully knows the importance that rests on his stroke. He seizes the opportunity. Time slows as the ball nears, and once it disappears into the hole there is an immediate jubilation and exaltation unlike many other moments in sports. For DiMarco and his team, it was a dramatic birdie and a hard-fought U.S. victory. For us sports fans, it was just really great to watch.Ben Swasey is a sophomore who has not yet declared a major. He can be reached via e-mail at ben.swasey@tufts.edu

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History splits modern Holy Land politics

September 28

The stories Israelis and Palestinian children learn from their parents, in school, and from their friends play a key role in peace negotiations between the two sides, Paul Scham said Wednesday. Scham, an adjunct scholar at the Middle East Institute, discussed the importance of historical narratives with about 40 students in Barnum Hall. History, Scham said, is the reason for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "You have two completely different versions of reality," he said. "They have very different versions of themselves, and their narratives exclude the other side." Scham's speech drew on an essay he edited, "Shared Histories: A Palestinian-Israeli Dialogue." "What you see in the book is how angry people get when they feel their own history - especially their victimization - is being reflected on," he said. Both sides' narratives are similar, Scham said, because they both address a sense of "ambiguous nationhood." He stressed the difference between a nation and a state: the Palestinians are a nation, but not a state. The critical event that divides the two narratives, Scham said, is the War of 1948 - referred to by Israelis as the War of Independence and by Palestinians and much of the Arab and Muslim World as the nakba, or catastrophe. Israel views the war as a defensive effort against the invasion of five Arab nations, whereas the Palestinians see the same event as the forced expulsion from their homeland, Scham said. The two opposing views have been critical in forming the two sides' identities and determining the relationship between the peoples. Since the schism in 1948, the two views have continued to drift apart. Two of the most divisive issues in negotiations can be traced to the opposing narratives, Scham said. At the Camp David summit in 2000, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian Authority leader Yasir Arafat "fundamentally disagreed on current issues," Scham said. The first issue is Jerusalem. The city's "history is claimed by both sides," Scham said. "As far as Jews are concerned, it's the symbol for the Jewish religion. It's a Jewish city. For most Arabs concerned, it's an Arab city." The second issue is the so-called right of return for Palestinians who left their homes during the War of 1948. According to the Palestinian narrative, they were expelled and should be allowed to return. "For Palestinians, this is the ultimate expression of their identity," Scham said. Some attitudes have changed. Scham described the revisionist history movement in Israel, which began during the 1980s as Israeli military documents were declassified. Some Israelis have "looked at their history in a different way," he said. "It's a small part of Israeli society." This new way to look at Israel's history began to show some Israelis that the War of Independence was not the clear-cut defensive war taught in Israeli schools. On the other side, Scham said many Palestinians have come to accept Israel's existence as a reality. Some past negotiations have set aside narratives, Scham said. The secret negotiations before the 1993 Oslo Accords and the recent unofficial Geneva discussions fit this criterion because coordinators thought discussing history would hurt the peace process, not facilitate it. "History is too painful," Scham said. "It's highly unsatisfying in many ways." A better alternative would be a mutual acceptance of the narrative divide. "There is a role for real history," Scham said. "You have to have in future peace agreements an understanding of history. Both sides are convinced that the other side wants to destroy them." Scham stressed the value of viewing the other side's history as civilized. "To try to humanize the other side of the conflict has to be taken into account in policy making," he said. Scham's speech was hosted by the Arab Students Association, Friends of Israel, the New Initiative for Middle East Peace, and the International Relations and History Departments.

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Jumbos stay classy in win over Rhode Island Anchormen

September 28

With a 2-0 lead at halftime, the men's soccer team came out just as hard in the second half with strong defense and a continued attack to close out Rhode Island College 3-0 yesterday at Kraft Field. The win was a big step toward gaining much-needed momentum and curing the team's tendency to play complacently in the second half. "I think in some of the games that we dropped earlier in the season we played well, but we didn't play well for the 90, and we were giving up goals in the second half," coach Ralph Ferrigno said. "So I think for the team collectively that it's been a focal point to play hard in the second half, get behind the ball, and make it difficult for the opponents, and I think [in yesterday's win and Saturday's 2-0 win against Amherst] that they did the job well." The team has been well-aware of its late-game woes, and Ferrigno decided to get the team up and running on the sideline during halftime. "One of the things we felt that maybe we needed was something to get their heart rate going again before we go out and compete in the second half," the coach said. "So [having them run at halftime] was a conscious decision." Tufts still appeared to get off to a slow start to the second frame, but everything changed in the 53rd minute when freshman goalkeeper Brian Dulmovits dove to his right to keep an R.I.C. free kick out of the net in what was the best chance of the afternoon for the visitors. From there, Tufts was energized from back to front and set off to put the contest out of reach for the Anchormen. The Jumbos did so in the 55th minute when sophomore forward Dan Jozwiak headed a ball over the R.I.C. defense, leaving junior forward Mattia Chason alone with opposing sophomore goalkeeper Jadon Neves. The Anchormen, who donned Burgundy uniforms, refused to stay classy, however, fouling the Rome-native from behind to create a penalty kick. R.I.C. immediately regretted its decision, as senior tri-captain Todd Gilbert buried it in the lower-left corner from the penalty spot, giving Tufts an insurmountable 3-0 advantage. "The first few games of the season we really struggled in the second half," Gilbert said. "And the last couple games we've come out and posted shutouts, so that's huge." After Gilbert's insurance tally, it was only a matter of playing out the final 35 minutes, a timeframe during which the Anchormen's primary concern was complaining to the officials. The Jumbos took advantage of R.I.C.'s lack of focus by playing many long balls to create dangerous opportunities in the offensive end, although they failed to add to the margin. Tufts opened the scoring early, as they did in the win over Amherst on Saturday, as Chason took advantage of sloppy defense on the part of the Anchormen. The junior striker stole a loose ball, moved confidently into the opposing 18-yard box, and slid the ball past Neves for the opening goal, Chason's third goal in two games. "It's nice [to win consecutive games]," Chason said. "The results are showing from the hard work we've put in. We've always been playing hard in the games this year, even when we were losing. Now we're winning, which is nice." For Tufts to get on the board early was kind of a big deal against the Anchormen. "We wanted to come out and put the game away real quick," Chason said. Tufts controlled the ball throughout the first half, creating many opportunities on goal in front of strong play in the back from a defense led by senior Mike Lingenfelter. The attack was highlighted in the first half by freshman Peter DeGregorio's composed play in the midfield, senior tri-captain Mike Guigli's ball-handling, and Chason's positioning up front. Lingenfelter did not limit himself to defense, however, as his pass to DeGregorio from the right side started the build-up to the Jumbos' second goal. DeGregorio handled the defender's pass and deftly sent the ball along to classmate Sam James who pushed the ball off the near post and into the net for his first career tally in the 41st minute. The team's coach and senior leadership were thrilled with the contribution from James and DeGregorio, along with Dulmovits posting his third career and second consecutive shutout in goal, as the freshmen are certainly helping to fill the void left by injuries to senior tri-captain Jon Glass and sophomore midfielder Greg O'Connell. "We've had a couple injuries, so to have two solid hard working players in James and DiGregorio is great for us," Gilbert said. "Obviously Sam [James] scoring a goal will be great for his confidence, and hopefully it will rub off on the rest of us." "[DeGregorio and James are] good players," Ferrigno added. "And Brian [Dulmovits], that's his second straight shutout, and that's not going to hurt him either. "They're all doing well," the coach continued. "I think the squad overall, although we've got a few injuries, even without Jon Glass and Greg O'Connell who are major leaders to the team, I think the rest of the group has stepped it up." The win brings Tufts to .500 on the season at 3-3, as they prepare to travel to Bates (3-1-1, 2-1-1 NESCAC) on Saturday in what will be only the team's second away game of 2005. Gilbert does not discount the importance of momentum going into this weekend's conference showdown. "We struggled a little bit at home and we haven't done well against Bates in the last few years, so it's good to have a couple wins under out belt before we head out there," the senior tri-captain said.

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Mountain Day brings call of the wild to the campus quads

September 28

With most of its events - expeditions to Tufts' Loj in Woodstock, NH and indoor climbing in Everett, Mass. - taking place off campus, Tufts Mountain Club (TMC) traditionally operates primarily out of the sight and mind of the general college community. That won't be the case Friday afternoon, when TMC sets up camp on the academic quad from 1-4 p.m. for what is believed to be the first Tufts Mountain Day. The events will range from the outdoorsy - repelling from a tree and stick-whittling - to just plain fun - bobbing for apples, capture the flag, dizzy bat races, and scavenger hunts. There will also be activities that encompass both, like the Camp-Stove Iron Chef competition, which will pit four teams of four against one another in a spin-off of the popular television show. The Tufts version will feature frying pans, spatulas, and one-burner camp stoves. The club also plans to teach a belaying class on the bridge to Dowling Hall, as such knowledge is needed to participate in the club's weekly indoor climbing trips. And while tomorrow won't exactly be like climbing Mount Everest, it is intended to bring a tiny slice of the outdoor thrills New England has to offer - biking, canoeing, rafting, hiking, climbing - to the university's suburban Medford/Somerville campus. "We get so many people to sign up at the beginning of the year," TMC vice president Jen Crawford said, "But most of our events are two hours away from campus, so we thought we'd try to bring some of the things we do closer to Tufts." TMC President Jake Becker echoed Crawford's thoughts. "While many activities are obviously a lot more fun in the mountains, we wanted to gain exposure on campus as well as provide outdoor activities for the community that they don't have to travel to participate in," he said. Many Jumbos expressed interest in the events. "It sounds cool," said senior tri-captain of the women's soccer team Lindsay Garmirian, who is an enthusiast of outdoor physical activities. "I love 'The Iron Chef!' It sounds like a great idea; I just wish we didn't have practice then." And with Mountain Day kicking off Newcomer's Weekend at the Loj, the club hopes that the afternoon festivities might rope in a few stragglers or unaware underclassmen. "As a freshman, I remember going up for Newcomer's Weekend and meeting the people who eventually became my friends in and out of TMC," club president Jake Becker said. "So we figured that if we could get people 'thinking TMC' on campus on Friday, then later in the day they will be more apt to head up for a sweet weekend of hiking, canoeing, camp-firing, marshmallowing and mountain-lounging."

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Massarotti, Wilber and Silber: Oh my!

September 28

Tuesday night's lecture and book-signing by author Salman Rushdie was certainly a large draw, but it wasn't the sole literary event the campus will see this year: Tina Hart, the campus bookstore's trade book manager, said she is bringing many authors to Tufts in an effort to keep students engaged in reading beyond the chapters listed on their syllabi. "After the bookstore was renovated," said bookstore manager Ron Gill, one of the goals was to "make trade books [non-textbook reading] more visible." Indeed, an array of popular titles has replaced the greeting cards and gift bags in the front of the store. Most students, Hart has noticed, come to the bookstore and head straight downstairs to the textbooks and neglect leisure reading during their semesters at school. Therefore, in an effort begun after the store's renovation, she is coordinating frequent author appearances on campus throughout the year. "I love books," said Hart, "and I want to get more people interested in reading." According to Hart, those invited to the bookstore's signings are authors who have a book coming out. Typically, they are authors on a book tour whose publicist contacts Tufts, and Hart works with them to find a mutually convenient appearance time. Rushdie's book-signing was cancelled on Tuesday evening due to time conflictions. Last week, the bookstore hosted a book-signing with Dana Keller, a Tufts alumnus and author of the recently published book, "The Tao of Statistics: A Path to Understanding (With No Math)." The literary appearances will continue this fall with authors Catherine Clinton ("Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom") and Nina Silber ("Daughters of the Union: Northern Women Fight the Civil War") speaking in conjunction with the Tisch Library's upcoming exhibition about emancipation. Clinton will make her appearance on Parents' Weekend with a reading from her new book, and Silber will come to campus on Nov. 3. Also in November, photojournalist Lori Grinker, whose photography was featured in a recent on-campus exhibition, will visit Tufts to sign her book "Afterwar," which looks at the physical and psychological wounds inflicted by the military conflicts of the past 100 years. In contrast to the procrastination that often pervades the university atmosphere, Hart has already scheduled dates in the spring for two writers: Boston Herald sportswriter Tony Massarotti, another Tufts alum and author of "A Tale of Two Cities" (no, not that "A Tale of Two Cities") is slated to sign in February. Renowned poet Richard Wilber, whose new "Collected Poems" brings together his works in the stanza business since 1943, will be on campus in April, which is, appropriately, National Poetry Month. Due to a lack of space, book-signings are not held among the hooded sweatshirts and dorm room posters of the bookstore itself. Instead, they most often take place in the Large Conference Room in the Campus Center. For students who are not disciples of Tuftslife.com - where many of the literary events are already posted for the semester - the bookstore's own Web site also provides information about upcoming author appearances. As is the case with most book-signings, many students who come to the events have already read or heard of the author visiting. But even if you're unschooled in Silber or clueless about Clinton, there's no need to fret; with the events scheduled so far in advance, there is certainly time for students to familiarize themselves with the authors coming to campus.

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News

Museum Review | The oh-so-good qualities of bad art

September 28

When you've had your fill of art "masters" such as of Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol, perhaps it's time to cross over to a lesser-known place, the dark underbelly of the art world - the world of really bad art. For each masterpiece created, there are probably thousands of painfully awful works that go unnoticed. What happens to them all? Most of them end up in the garbage, but a select few are enshrined in the Museum of Bad Art. The Museum of Bad Art is exactly what it sounds like: a museum dedicated to displaying purely bad art. It houses a permanent collection of approximately 250 pieces and displays about 20 works at a time, ranging from sculptures to paintings to unidentifiable papier-mache "things." The MoBA may sound like the MoMA, but the similarities don't extend very far past the acronym. Located in the basement of the Dedham Community Theater in Dedham, Massachusetts, the entire museum sits in a single room that also serves as the hallway to the men's restroom. Just walking into the museum is an experience: the theater is old and dusty, the stairs to the basement are creaky and the whole town looks like someone forgot about it decades ago. The art isn't much better. In fact, it's far worse. The piece that inspired the MoBA, "Lucy in the Field with Flowers," sits in its honored place on the door to the men's room. It is a painting of an old woman sitting on a chair in a surreal field of flowers. She is grimacing, the wind blowing her white hair, an eerily yellow sky situated behind her. The painting begs many questions: Who the hell painted this? Hey, is that my grandma? or just "Why?" There are no answers, but it's a good thing someone had the foresight not to permanently dispose of the work. "Lucy in the Field with Flowers" was clearly meant for bigger and better things. "Lucy," like many of the works in the MoBA, was acquired from the trash, but paintings like these are far too precious to throw away. Each piece, whether it depicts Michael Jackson or a pink toilet, has a particular quality which makes it more than just plain bad. They are imaginative, strange, perverse, and poorly crafted in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. The MoBA is fun because while the artists took themselves seriously, the curator does not. Captions do not hesitate to mock. One painting, "Mourning a Lost Dog," depicts a woman with a burning crown of roses and a hand over her heart. She stands next to an empty collar floating in the air. "With an owner like this, the dog may be better off," the caption said. Probably true. The MoBA doesn't just mock its works; it mocks art museums in general. The gift shop, located upstairs at the theater's concession stand, sells everything from bumper stickers to coffee mugs to virtual CDs of the entire MoBA collection. It even sells a tote bag with a portrait on the front, "Sunday on the Pot with George." The painting depicts a man in tighty-whities sitting on the closed lid of a toilet, but the image cuts off suddenly at his ankles. Across the tote bag is the phrase, "Like Renoir never ran out of canvas before he finished the feet." Bad art is a talent in itself, a gift which should be appreciated as is. It is characterized by blatant and melodramatic symbolism, clashing colors, poorly drawn figures, and ridiculous messages. And that's why it's wonderful. The MoBA is located way out on the Orange Line, requiring both the T and bus to reach. After all that travel, it's really only one room. But if you're ever in the mood for an offbeat adventure, it's the perfect destination. Maybe bad art is fun because it makes viewers feel better about themselves. Maybe it's fun because it's just so strange. But in the end, it really doesn't matter. Bad art transcends aesthetic boundaries and is not ashamed to be gloriously hideous. One guest from Portland, Oregon, wrote in the guestbook, "This museum changed my life." Bad art is that powerful.

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