Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
The Tufts Daily
Where you read it first | Saturday, April 11, 2026
The Print Edition Print Subscription
Donate | About | Join Us
Advertise | Submit a Tip
Subscribe to our newsletters

Archives

The Setonian
News

Patriots refuse to lose

December 2

In every great season, a team has a game or two that it usually says "propelled" it into the playoffs, or into a long winning streak, or whatever the case may be. It is often a close game where guts are checked and adversity is in abundance. The 2003 New England Patriots are not following this formula, though. Because this team has had at least four of these types of matchups which most teams are supposed to lose. But alas, the Pats are not most teams. All things considered, the now 10-2 Patriots were not their usual selves for the majority of their 38-34 thriller over the now 9-3 Indianapolis Colts. While all year long a dormant offense was bailed out by a staggering defense, such was not the case on Sunday. The Pats yielded 376 yards, most coming in the second half. Defensive leader Rodney Harrison had only one tackle and was getting twisted around all day by the Colts receiving corps of Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Troy Walters. Stud rookie d-backs Eugene Wilson and Asante Samuel suddenly looked like rookies again. Why did this defense, and head coach Bill Belichick, suddenly look human? Well, it might have had something to do with the league's leading offense finally coming to its senses at halftime. Only ten points in the first half (seven of which were a product of a drive that should have ended when Wilson missed a gimme interception) must have had football nerd Peyton Manning fuming in the locker room. So adjustments were made by the offense and, down 31-10, the Colts scored 21 unanswered points to knot the game up. So the Colts had the ball first and goal, about to win a game they deserved to win. The Pats had shot themselves in the foot too many times to pull this one out. Brady threw a ball right into linebacker David Thornton's chest on third down with three minutes left, Ken Walter punted like Johnny Damon throws, and the defense had looked like it was playing with its practice squad. But "bend but don't break" is the only style this Pats team knows. The first three downs proved fruitless for Indy, and on fourth down, with Ted Washington playing road block, the previously "injured" (probably faked it to give his overworked defense a breather) Willie McGinest flies in to thwart Edgerrin James and the hopes of Indianopolisians everywhere. Pats win, and chalk this one next to the Miami, Denver and Houston games. All on the road, all hostile environments, all statement games. This was the game of the year, and it certainly lived up to the billing. And let's not forget Bethel Johnson's performance. His 92 yard TD return before the half and his 67 yarder which led to a Deion Branch touchdown cemented his "electrifying" status. And apparently his return average (28.3 yards/return) is better than MVP candidate Dante Hall's (26 yards/return). Staying in the AFC East, the Miami Dolphins now look like a new squad with Jay Fiedler at the helm of their operation. After a dogfight last Sunday night against the Washington Redskins which resulted in a 24-23 win, the 'Phish had the misfortune of having to go to Dallas for Thanksgiving to face 'dem Cowboys. So much for extended preparation. But with only three days of rest to work with, Miami went into Texas and played almost a perfect game. Only a late TD grab by Antonio Bryant made the score (40-21) respectable. Hats off to the highly underrated Chris Chambers, whose crisp routes led to three very aesthetically pleasing touchdown grabs. The Dolphins-Pats showdown this Sunday in Foxboro now looms large (as if it didn't already). And don't look now, but the New Orleans 'Aints are making a run at a playoff spot in the highly up-for-grabs NFC (Not a Formidable Conference). Behind Deuce McAllister's 1,393 yards rushing (165 on Sunday in a 24-20 beating of the Redskins), the 6-6 Saints are making their move on not only the 8-4 Carolina Panthers but the rest of the contenders (or pretenders) in the conference. For any team in that conference, 9-7 or even (gasp) 8-8 could mean a playoff spot. There is still a semblance of hope for the San Franciscos, Green Bays, and Tampa Bays of the world after all. One More Thing: The St. Louis Rams, on the other hand, are not playing down to the mediocrity of their conference. With a healthy Marshall Faulk (142 total yards, three TD's on Sunday) and a confident Marc Bulger at the helm, they trucked the disappointing Minnesota Vikings (one win since the beginning of the World Series), 48-17, on Sunday. Speaking of Bulger, he was at the center of a highly comedic moment when he was being interviewed after the win by ESPN's Ed Werder. Mid-interview, boisterous lineman Kyle Turley (he of helmet tossing fame) sauntered over and proclaimed to America, "Hey, you see this guy? This is Marc Bulger. He's our quarterback." This was abruptly followed by "Shutup!!" as he continued to look into the camera. Having been toyed with by the media before and having taken offense, Turley obviously hasn't changed his view after seeing how it has handled the Bulger/Kurt Warner debate. Apparently, the Greatest Show on Turf now has some bark to go along with its always dangerous bite.

The Setonian
News

Climate change & global leadership: Putting our vote to use

December 2

In light of recent world events, American focus has shifted away from the environment. The Bush administration has not only ignored growing environmental concerns but it has exacerbated the problem by retracting from key environmental policies: lifting regulations on power-producing industries, repealing the Clean Air Act in favor of the Clear Skies Initiative, and refusing to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Bush highlights our unilateral invasion of Iraq as being indicative of our status as global leaders. For instance, the perception of countries that ratified the Kyoto Protocol has been negatively altered by US inaction. In turn, US clout at the international negotiating table has decreased. For our country to truly be a leading member of the global community we must recognize, accept, and then reverse the trend of global climate change. What is climate change? Global warming is defined as an increase in the average temperature of the Earth's surface, which occurs following an increase in greenhouse gases. When solar radiation is trapped by greenhouse gases, the concentration of CO2 and other greenhouse gases rises, as does the earth's temperature over time. The implications of climate change are more than environmental. There are severe political and economic ramifications of global warming, such as costs associated with severe weather events. Furthermore, people in industrial areas will be impacted less than those in poorer countries. There is a wide economic gap between the developed and developing nations. With China and India rapidly expanding, it is not viable for them to sacrifice their economic advances to halt the progress of global climate change. There is no incentive to do so when the US, the wealthiest and most developed nation, is not itself willing to make such changes. The US must lead the charge and accept its responsibility and address global warming. I propose that the first step in accepting this responsibility is to acknowledge the problem. The Bush administration has repeatedly questioned whether climate change is fact or fiction. Recent scientific publications based on Costa Rican studies verify that global warming is assuredly fact and that strong actions must be taken to halt the progress of climate change. However, the evidence is clearly reflected in today's science. Climate change is a devastating trend that is most notably evident in the tropics, where cloud forests, along with the organisms that dwell in them, are suffering due to rising sea surface temperature coupled with the result of an upward shifting cloud base. In his recent article "Biological Response to Climate Change on a Tropical Mountain", scientist J. Alan Pounds and his colleagues explain that cloud forests are unique and vital tropical ecosystems that trap moisture and protect the cloud-immersed habitat from solar radiation. Pounds argues that accelerated atmospheric warming and drying conditions, caused by rising sea surface temperature, is forcing species to shift habitats to higher elevations and, in some cases, is leading to local extinction. This hypothesis is known as the lifting-cloud-base hypothesis, and it has severe implications for our tropical forests. Lowland deforestation results in similar outcomes. Because of the properties of cloud patterns, the conversion of lowland forests to agricultural farmland has resulted in reduced evapotranspiration and thus decreased the amount of moisture in the air as it travels towards upland mountains. Thus, loss of cloud protection and necessary moisture is caused by lowland deforestation and by global environmental warming trends. In short: what is happening in the tropics has a global explanation, such as climate change around the world. With science demonstrating the effects of climate change, the Bush administration has no recourse to deny that global warming is occurring. By doing so we fail as leaders. The Kyoto Protocol asks the United States to reduce its carbon emissions by 7 percent below its 1990 levels by 2012. Without the US taking responsibility, it is up to us as community members to become leaders by promoting a green philosophy through our actions. Tufts has recognized the severity of the problem by committing to "meet or beat the Kyoto target for university-related greenhouse gas emissions." Under the guidance of Tufts Institute for the Environment (TIE) and Tufts Climate Initiative (TCI), along with support from President Bacow, Tufts has adopted many projects and made many infrastructural renovations to reduce its carbon emissions. For instance, Tufts has partnered with Toyota and Zipcar to raise awareness of the environmental impact of driving. Making these low-emissions and highly fuel efficient cars available will help Tufts meet its goal while simultaneously providing students with inexpensive transportation options. Another project Tufts has adopted is Sophia Gordon Hall, the proposed "Solar Residence Hall". This structure will use photovoltaic electricity and high efficiency designs to reduce energy consumption. Both projects are important steps in decreasing the university's generation of greenhouse gasses. As a University, we have recognized the devastating effects of climate change, but it is time for the rest of the country to take action. With the upcoming Presidential elections, we as voters have the opportunity to push this issue to the forefront of American policy. Now is the time to elect an administration to the White House that will act responsibly; an administration that will address climate change; and an administration that will pass the legislation necessary for ensuring our global safety. Erin Allweiss is a junior majoring in International Relations.

The Setonian
News

Bad Santa is so good

December 2

Every once in awhile, the ancient and unbending laws of movie clich?©s demand that we find a man in a bar, drunk. He is the experienced Professional, but retired, out of the game, quit for good and living in a bottle of whiskey. In walks the Chief. After some hard-boiled banter, the Chief tells the Pro, "We have a problem. We can't solve it. We need you to come back... one last time." After initially refusing, the drunk eventually agrees. Later, it turns out that his long lost daughter (or wife, or dog) is involved in the intricate plot. Multiple explosions ensue, necessitating slow-motion photography. Something like that must have happened when the Coen brothers asked Terry Zwigoff, the director of the bizarre documentary Crumb and the hilariously dark Ghost World, to direct Bad Santa. Each of those movies, while critically acclaimed, made no money and Zwigoff was quoted as saying he would never work again. The Coen brothers, the film's executive producers, probably said, "We have a script. It might destroy sentimental Christmas movies forever. We need you to come back... one last time... with a vengeance." Zwigoff does not so much poke fun at the hollowness of the holidays but rather he pours gasoline on them, throws a match, watches it burn and then pours on cement, just to make sure. Billy Bob Thornton plays Willie, the world's worst department store Santa. Willie smokes, drinks, swears, vomits, destroys fake reindeer and drinks some more. He snarls at his partner Marcus (Tony Cox), a dwarf playing Santa's Elf, "You can't hold liquor worth s-t." Marcus replies, "I weigh 97 pounds, dickhead. What's your excuse?" Willie and Marcus are employed by the very nervous Bob (the late John Ritter), who twitches at the mere mention of sex, and are lorded over by the head of security, Gin, a funny but underused Bernie Mac. What their bosses don't know is that Willie and Marcus are a team of safecrackers, who have been hitting up department stores for eight Christmases in a row. Three kinks hamper their plans this year. One, Willie has gotten so drunk and sloppy, that the duo might actually get fired before they can pull off the job. Two, as improbable as it may seem, Willie has found a girlfriend (Lauren Graham) with a Santa fetish, who will sleep with him any hour of the day... as long as he wears the Santa hat the entire time. Three -- and this is where it gets really sick -- is a butterball of a kid played by Brett Kelly, who decides that Willie must be the real Santa, and must be his friend. His only friend. The boy's mother has "gone to live with Jesus and the Walnut People," and his dad is in jail. His only caretaker is a senile grandmother (Cloris Leachman) who is obsessed with making sandwiches. "I thought you might get me a present, Santa," the Kid whines to Willie, "because you didn't get me one last year. Or the year before that." We finally find out the Kid's name late in the movie. It is Thurman Merman. While in the beginning it all seems dark and a little wrong, it only gets worse. And funnier. Willie has a habit of seducing plus-size ladies in the dressing rooms, The Kid gets a mega-wedgie every day on the way to the mall, Marcus accuses his boss of racial/vertical discrimination, and Bernie Mac's character shakes down little kids in video game stores. The story meanders until Willie is forced to live at the Kid's house and starts to get attached to him, in the same way that one gets attached to a giant scar on their face. After one mega-wedgie too many, he tries to teach the Kid self-defense, which degenerates into a crotch kicking contest of hilarious proportions. You have not lived until you have seen Billy Bob Thornton punch a dwarf in the nuts. Eventually, Willie steps up for the Kid, resulting in the inspirational scene where he announces: "I beat the s-t out of some kids today. It made me feel good, you know, like I did something right." "Therapy," replies Marcus, "you need therapy. Years and years of therapy." The movie is, as some critics have called it, one note, completely based on the gimmick of a vulgar Santa Claus. It is also dark and dirty with wall-to-wall vulgarity and tastelessness. But it's not boring, it isn't swamped in syrupy sentiment and the movie did not (thank god) have a heart of gold. The actors take their jobs seriously, the director hits the right notes, and the writing is refreshingly unconcerned with being hip and ironically distant. It is the real deal: a direct answer to Disney, It's a Wonderful Life, and every crappy Tim Allen holiday movie ever made. It is an up-yours to those who say, without a sense of humor or reality, that this is the most wonderful time of the year. And it is the funniest movie I've seen in a long, long time.

The Setonian
News

Study shows religion on the rise among college students

December 2

Students at Tufts and other universities are breaking the stereotype of the secular college student. A recent study conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute of the University of California at Los Angeles indicated that 77 percent of students surveyed said that they pray, while 73 percent say that a religious tradition helped to shape their identity. Recent trends at Tufts point to similar conclusions. Protestant Student Fellowship (PSF) president Vanessa Baehr-Jones said that three years ago, PSF only had one devoted member. It now boasts an e-mail list of up to 150 people. The Muslim Student Association organization has also seen an increase in its membership, according to its president. Leaders of other student groups, such as Hillel, the Tufts Christian Fellowship (TCF), and the Catholic Community at Tufts (CCT) say that while they have not seen an increase in numbers, they have seen an increase in enthusiasm among current members. University Protestant Chaplain Laurie Rofinot attributes this surprisingly high interest in spiritualism to a demoralizing contemporary society. "We live in a day and age when our futures are uncertain," she says. "Students coming out of college are unsure if there will be anything in the job market for them. So where can a sense of self-worth and confidence come from?" Baehr-Jones believes that the answer is religion. "College is the first time you're asked to look at your world and come to a conclusion independently about it," she said. "Religion can help shape what meaning that will take." She also believes students are looking for a way to connect with other people. She believes a student's search for identity may bring with it a need to belong to a community. Yet, others fear that religious devoutness may harm a student's development. Professor Daniel Dennett, a prophet of what he calls "brights" says that religion "gives you an excuse for not looking at the complexities [in life]." "People like simple solutions," Dennet said. "But they're almost always wrong." Dennett, a self-described bright, says he is "a person with a naturalist as opposed to a supernaturalist world view." Yet, he says, "people often need to make a commitment." In fact, he believes the "key to happiness" is to "find something more important than you are and devote your life to it." The sticking point in his opinion is that "some choices are better than others." College students are in the perfect environment to make the right choice, says Hillel President Josh Pressman. "It's the first great opportunity people have to explore spiritual ideas when they're not facing anything imposed by their parents or by anyone else." Rabbi Jeffrey Summit, Executive Director of Hillel, believes that "students should take advantage of the fact that we are living in one community with so many different people." CCT President Anna Brennan agreed. "Within three days and a few blocks, students can attend Christian, Jewish, and Islamic services. There is no other time when we'll have so much contact with so many diverse people." The issue of education, however, brings up another controversial point. The UCLA study found that 58 percent of respondents had discussed religion and spirituality in class, and 8 percent had even talked about the meaning of life with their professors. This however brings up the question of incorporating religion into the classroom. University Chaplain Reverend David O'Leary says that as long as professors are "examining religion comparatively and critically" in their classrooms, there is no problem. Otherwise, he says, students are just being proselytized. Dennett agreed. "It's like taking a course in First Aid," he says. "Good intentions just aren't enough. If you don't know what you're doing, you can really hurt someone." Thus, "careful, objective scrutiny" of religion will "open [students'] eyes to what the options are and the strengths and weaknesses of those options." Pressman says that despite recent bias incidents targeted at the University's Jewish population, he does not feel threatened, nor has he received that impression from other people. Tufts also has a history of chafing with religious groups -- in 1999, the Tufts Community Union Judiciary de-recognized the TCF for refusing to allow an openly gay member run for a leadership position. The consequent outcry against the J forced them to re-recognize the TCF. Erich Wasserman of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education says that "universities routinely target students on the basis of their religions." He points to Christian groups as the most beleaguered of all. The views of campus religious figures vary. Brennan pegs Tufts as "open-minded and accepting." Rabbi Summit observed the opposite, noting "a general hostility to religious groups on campus." For now, the benefits of belonging to a religious group outweigh any of the negatives for these students. And being in an intellectual setting makes their faith even stronger, they say. "Anytime you try to balance faith and reason and work that through you'll be a better person," O'Leary said.

The Setonian
News

We can all get along

December 2

A gentle voice in a well heeled accent constantly reminds passengers of London's Underground to "mind the gap." Students at Tufts -- undergraduate and graduate alike -- would do well to take this advice to heart on the Hill. Despite being generally well-exposed and well-educated, many of its denizens are at times appallingly incapable of being civil with each other. Some Fletcher graduate students feel that undergraduates are encroaching unjustly on their territory and some undergraduates feel that they are being disrespected by their graduate comrades. Some undiplomatic comments and rather tasteless jokes made on both sides of the Bachelor's line have been misconstrued, re-circulated, and probably taken too seriously. What is really at issue here? Ah, an age old problem: space. Who gets what territory and is it just? From decades of early 20th century Rhineland volleying, to contested territory in the West Bank, to... the caf?© that does not even have a name? Honestly people. Fletcher students are understandably upset: the space formerly known as Trios used to be almost exclusive to them. Surely many undergraduates would be distraught if they traipsed to the Campus Center for a hot sandwich one day only to find it had been swamped with students from the Medical or Veterinary Schools. Likewise, however, But Fletcher students who must suddenly deal with long lines and crowding in No Name should be able to empathize with undergraduate desires to escape the long lines at the Campus Center and experience a little bit of culinary diversity. At least all parties can agree on one thing: we want a variety of lunch options, available to us quickly, and space to sit down and enjoy these delectable tidbits with our friends and colleagues. Undergrads and grad students need to learn how to cohabitate peacefully. Do we not remember the lessons we learned as toddlers? How many Tufts students received "does not play well with others" on their report cards in kindergarten? Many undergraduates think that Fletcher students are a pretty amazing bunch of people whom they admire -- even possibly envy -- and would like to get to know if given the chance. Allegedly some Fletcher students do not think the undergrads are half bad either. Indeed, at least one formal effort is currently underway in an attempt to bring these two subgroups of the Tufts community together: the Global Women Mentoring Program. Students across the board and the University generally would stand to gain from further efforts of this kind. All sides need to be a little more tolerant and considerably more conscious of the enormous benefits that each group of students presents for the other. Hopefully we will all be able to rise above some of the petty, "tit-for-tat" exchanges that have dominated the conversation on this "gap" issue among fringes with loud voices on both sides. Can't we all just get along?

The Setonian
News

Pragmatism or Idealism: Moving On

December 2

Last week, President Bush traveled to Great Britain -- America's closest ally -- to show his gratitude for Prime Minister Tony Blair's steadfast support. This occasion prompted thousands of Britons to take to the streets, expressing their anger against Bush, Blair, and the war in Iraq. These massive protests were a vigorous exercise of free speech and citizen censure of government policy, and they were also a powerful reminder of the unpopularity of this war. But they were a waste of time. At this stage of the war, these kinds of protests are mostly useless. The reality is that opposition to the war in Iraq is no longer a relevant political stance. Pondering whether or not going to war was a wise decision is not important anymore. Opposing the war is, in fact, a thing of the past. Personally, I did not think invading Iraq was a wise decision from day one. The war happened anyway, and now we must redirect our attention. The game board has changed, and now the relevant matter is how to manage the occupation of a conquered nation. However, there is more than that. The most important issue right now is how to make sure that Iraq becomes a success story. There is no looking back. Whether we like it or not, the US has conquered Iraq and now we must make the best out of a difficult situation. We cannot change the past, but we can shape the future. That is what anti-war advocates do not get. They are absorbed in their self-righteousness and fail to adapt themselves to a changed political landscape. That is exactly why last week's protests in London lacked substance and purpose. As furious as one may be about this war, it is important to move on and participate in the policy debates that matter. What is going on right now in Iraq is a high-stakes gamble. The Bush administration intends to transform Iraq from a vicious authoritarian regime to a beacon of democracy and good governance in the Middle East. That is an overwhelming and audaciously bold undertaking. It constitutes the most ambitious nation-building experiment that the United States has engaged in since the occupation of Germany and Japan. (Isn't it a little ironic that the commander-in-chief in charge of this daunting task disdained and belittled nation-building only three years ago during the presidential election debates?) The security of the United States is now tied to the success of Iraq as a viable country. Pulling out American troops and leaving Iraq to its own devices -- as some propose -- would be a monumentally bad decision of catastrophic consequences. The US needs to stay -- conceivably for many years to come -- and it needs to get the job done right. The problem with this is not that Bush wants to transform Iraq. The problem is that the Bush administration is not doing what is necessary for it to work. First of all, the US occupation lacks legitimacy, both domestic and international. It lacks the latter because international institutions were bypassed with arrogance and impatience. It lacks the former because the Iraqi war was sold under false pretenses. There were no WMD or Saddam-Al Qaeda links. Operating under a cloud of suspicion and without the support of the international community reduces the domestic and international support this endeavor requires. Secondly, the administration's commitment to a prolonged and expensive occupation is questionable. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld takes every opportunity to maintain that the US has no obligation to reconstruct Iraq. A successful transition to democracy will only happen if Iraq's infrastructure is rebuilt, and it cannot do so alone. Iraq needs more US troops as well. The only way out of this present chaos is to strengthen the US military presence, to maintain order, and to speed up the transition to local rule. Transforming Iraq will take billions and billions of dollars, precisely at a time when the US government is beginning to feel the pressures of enormous budget deficits for years to come. It will also cost more lives. The US will need broader legitimacy and a stronger commitment as escalating numbers of casualties and more expensive price tags begin to erode public support for this war. There is no easy way out now. The US is in for a long, difficult mission in the Middle East. The question now is not whether the US should have gone to war, but how to make Iraq a success. Proclaiming you are anti-war will not take you anywhere now, because it does not matter anymore. What matters is who has the best plan to rebuild a nation, which, for better or worse, is currently under the control of the United States. Rodrigo de Haro is a senior majoring in International Relations. He can be reached at deharo@tuftsdaily.com.

The Setonian
News

Tupac: Resurrection Brings Rapper Back to Life

December 2

Tupac: Resurrection opens to a panoramic view of the Las Vegas skyline and then focuses on the intersection that was the sight of Tupac Shakur's horrific 1996 murder. The slain rap star then speaks eerily to the audience from beyond the grave as sun-touched clouds pass over the screen - "I always knew I was gonna be shot." The first spoken words of the new documentary from director Lauren Lazin introduce Shakur as both the protagonist and narrator of the film. Shakur is obviously referring not to the gunshots that ended his life but instead to an earlier incident in which he was shot five times in 1994 and survived. Despite the early reference to Shakur's death, unlike Nick Broomfield's 2002 Biggie and Tupac, "Resurrection" doesn't deal with the rapper's still unsolved murder. Instead Lazin chooses to focus on Shakur's life, from his childhood in New York and Baltimore to his meteoric rise to fame. Shakur's narration of the "Resurrection" is the film's most intriguing aspect. His words, taken from previous interviews, give it a distinctly personal feel. Shakur's habit of speaking in the past tense about his life and describing events philosophically convey the feeling that an ephemeral Tupac is doing the talking. "In my life, I was different things to different people," Shakur says, in an insightful moment. While, the movie does not paint a picture of Shakur as a saint, the audience is given a look at the artist's life from his own perspective, thereby limiting the ability to voice many controversial opinions regarding the rapper. With Afeni Shakur, the artist's mother, serving as an executive producer on the film, it seems unlikely that the director would be given too much artistic license. Afeni, who was a high ranking member of the Black Panthers, was the most important person in Shakur's life. She plays a large role in the film, despite appearing only in photographs and letters she wrote to her son. Resurrection does a good job revealing previously unexplored sides of Shakur. The portrait of an adolescent Tupac is not one of the self-proclaimed thug that he would become, but instead of a thoughtful boy who wrote poetry and attended a prestigious performing arts high school in Baltimore along with other to-be-discovered stars (there is a clip of Shakur and classmate Jada Pinkett performing Will Smith's early 90's hit "Parent's Just Don't Understand"). At the school Tupac first found his flair for performing and was influenced by such widely varied sources as Shakespeare, Frank Sinatra, and folk icon Don McLean. There is also footage of Shakur seriously and gracefully practicing ballet. The film effectively depicts challenge presented by the young artist's sudden rise. In an excerpt from one interview, Shakur talks about the pressures placed on him following the release of his critically acclaimed debut album, "2Pacalypse Now," in 1991. He was only 20 years old when he made the highly socially conscious record. "I had millions of people making me the leader of their movement and waiting for me to tell them what to do -- I'm going to have problems handling that," he said. The film doesn't gloss over the uglier aspects of Shakur's life, particularly his criminal record, but rather explains the incidents through the voice of the artist. "I never had a record until I had a record," Tupac says, referring to his first charge in 1991, for resisting arrest. Resurrection also documents his conviction for sexual abuse and subsequent 8-month stay in prison. In dealing with Tupac's indiscretions, the film gives the impression that he was at times overwhelmed with fame. The transformation from social activist to violent gangsta is featured. However, in interviews it seems that Shakur's later Death Row Records persona was as much a calculated role as the critically acclaimed characters that he played in "Juice" and "Poetic Justice." Throughout the film, Shakur upholds his magnetism and remains the star. His charisma and exuberance engage the audience to the very end. The film offers entertainment to Tupac fans as well as those unfamiliar with his life and work. Tupac: Resurrection is constantly in danger of presenting a biased and not well-rounded picture of the rapper, but the film succeeds in the goal described by the title. However briefly, it brings Tupac back to life.

The Setonian
News

What would Frodo do?

December 2

With the amazingly successful film adaptations of the epic trilogy The Lord of the Rings securing yet another generation of fans, J.R.R. Tolkien's original literature has shifted from the escapist realm of geeks and academics to the glittering mainstream. Part of a series that entertains and educates (but don't tell), The Lord of the Rings and Philosophy: One Book to Rule Them All, is a collection of essays addressing the pressing questions which arise from the legendary Middle Earth and its magical inhabitants. Does power corrupt? Is technology evil? What could be better than some nice pipeweed and beer? Gregory Bassham, an Associate Professor of Philosophy at King's College, and Eric Bronson of Berkeley College, were teamed with their colleague William Irwin, the former editor of a series of books about the philosophy behind popular movies and TV shows. The scholars, having edited and contributed to the book, explained the thought behind it at the Harvard Coop on Nov. 21. The work is the product of seventeen academics and Tolkien enthusiasts. Far from being the dry dissertations of scholars, these essays are an attempt to bring philosophical questions to the modern conscious via this especially well-known fantasy. Bronson remarked that their "ultimate" goal would be to "bring philosophy back to popular culture, back to where it began." Bassham and the other scholars hope to dispel the myths that simply dismiss The Lord of the Rings and the world of Middle Earth as "escapist fantasy." Instead, the series of essays explores the sweeping, timeless epic as one that "deals with the perennials of human existence." The trilogy truly is a phenomenon: since its publication it has continued to sell millions of copies and has been chosen as the greatest book of the twentieth century several times over. This continued significance deserves explanation, which is stated in the book's introduction, "Lord of the Rings for Smart People." The effort is an attempt to remind modern culture of where philosophy began and how it continues to affect society. The themes used by Tolkien are have resounded with readers of all kinds. Fans of his work span the world, of all ages, nations, and socio-economic groups. Tolkien societies abound, and the phrase, "Frodo lives!" is one that has become commonplace. The interpretations of Tolkein's messages explore Middle Earth with a probing eye, discovering connections that are inherent in all philosophical thought. During the book reading, Bassham spoke of other magic rings with powers similar to those of the one ring. Plato's Republic, which focuses on the question of why one should lead a moral life, features a dialogue with Glaucon where he introduces the concept of a "magic ring." The two debate the moral implications of wielding it. Wagner composed an opera about a ring which would grant gold and subsequently cause destruction to those who choose to use it. These connections and allusions are all a part of the educational aspect of the work; Bronson explained, "We want people to read and enjoy and not realize that they are actually learning Plato." What would Frodo do? The academics illuminate the philosophical elements of Tolkien's epic of good and evil with keen wit and sharp understanding. The Lord of the Rings and Philosophy: One Book to Rule Them All succeeds in its ambition, with the articles reflecting both scholarly and cultural interest. Though Tolkien was infamous for his devout denial of allegorical elements in The Lord of the Rings, these intellectual essays provide the perfect medium for debate. As Bronson noted, "Tolkien would hate all of this, which of course is why it is so fun."

The Setonian
News

It's the time of the season....

December 2

Have you ever wondered why there are so many September birthdays? Well count back nine months and think about what everyone was doing. Between the mistletoe and the eggnog it's no wonder that the cold winter months mean sex, and lots of it. As Tufts students we don't have to wait for New Years to have an excuse to drink too much and make out with people. As a release from tension (both school and sexual), we have the Naked Quad Run. Although I do not believe that the act of running around the quad naked is inherently sexual, any environment that involves mass quantities of alcohol and college students probably means some unplanned sexual encounters. So, in honor of spontaneous sexual decisions, and in the spirit of cramming, I've compiled a Cliff Notes list of 5 things everyone should be aware of before they kick off of this holiday season. 1.Genital Herpes (HSV) -- This sexually transmitted disease affects an estimated one out of five teens and young adults in the United States. I wish I could say that to avoid contracting this disease one must simply refrain from touching genitals with oozing sores, but unfortunately, it's not that simple. Although herpes is most easily contracted when outbreaks occur, it is very possible to contract this disease from a partner who is showing no visible outbreak. If you have contracted this infection, and are going to develop symptoms (which not all people do), they are most likely to occur within the first two to four weeks after you were infected 2. Genital Warts (HPV) -- Even more popular than Herpes, this virus is thought to infect anywhere from 50 to 75 percent of sexually active men and women in their lifetime. Again, be on the lookout for visible signs of the disease (soft, moist, pink or gray raised bumps), but also be aware that many people are carriers with no visible symptoms. Although there is no cure for the virus, often the symptoms go away on their own. However, in women this virus is much more serious. Certain strands of HPV are strongly linked with the development of cervical cancer. For this reason, it is recommended that all sexually active women get regular pap smears to test for pre-cancerous conditions. 3.Chlamydia -- the good news about Chlamydia is that it's as treatable as strep throat. The bad news is that it's often aesymptomatic and goes untreated which can lead to chronic pain and/or infertility. By age 30, 50 percent of sexually active women have had a diagnosable chlamydia infection. The symptoms, which occur only between 25 and 50 percent of the time, include abnormal discharge and burning during urination within the first 1 to 3 weeks of initial exposure. 4. Gonorrhea -- The name sounds pretty intimidating, but similar to chlamydia, Gonorrhea is very treatable. Unfortunately, also similar to Chlamydia, it is often undiagnosed, and an undiagnosed infection can again lead to chronic pelvic problems in women. Most men infected with Gonorrhea do develop symptoms, which include a burning sensation during urination and abnormal discharge within 2 to 30 days of exposure. Women develop similar symptoms, which are often misinterpreted as another type of vaginal infection, or a urinary tract infection. 5. Condoms are not God...-- If you don't want to catch an STD, using a condom is your best bet. However, condoms cannot guarantee that you will not contract an STD. Not only do condoms slip and break, but often times lesions or warts fall outside the area protected by the condom. I don't mean to piss on everyone's parade here, I just think it's important that we are all able to make informed choices. If you are going to take risks, it's best to know what the consequences of those risks may be. Whatever sexual risks you do or do not take is your business. Although, personally, I know I'd rather show a bit of restraint this holiday season then have to ask Santa for penicillin and herpes medication as stocking stuffers. Note: All information for this article gathered from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For further information about sexually transmitted diseases please go to www.cdc.gov/std/ or contact health services

The Setonian
News

Students and faculty respond to Massachusetts Supreme Court decision on gay marriage

December 2

In one of the most controversial decisions in recent years, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has become the first State Supreme Court to rule that homosexual couples have the legal right to marriage, two weeks ago. In a 4-3 decision, the Court ruled the State's ban on gay marriage to be unconstitutional, giving the Massachusetts legislature six months to rewrite the state's marriage laws to include a provision allowing for gay and lesbian couples be married. "We declare that barring an individual from the protections, benefits and obligations of civil marriage solely because that person would marry a person of the same sex violates the Massachusetts constitution," Chief Justice Margaret Marshall wrote in the decision. At Tufts, approximately 35 students gathered at the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Center to celebrate on the night the decision was announced. Junior Patrick Brown, who is the community representative for the Tufts Transgender, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Collective (TTLGBC) in the Tufts Community Union Senate, has no current plans on getting married but would consider it in the future. "It's certainly incentive to stay in the state," he said. Although LGBT Center Director Dona Yarbrough will not be attending any same sex marriages soon, since the legislation is still pending, "I know faculty and staff members who have been proposed to and have accepted proposals since the decision, but are waiting to see what happens," she said. While the decision is certainly a victory for LGBT rights, Yarbrough realistically acknowledges that this is only a "celebration of a beginning." "The court case is just the first step to what will probably be a long political and legal battle," she said. Many feel that the decision is a triumph in the rights and acceptance of the LGBT community. "It's symbolic of the greater acceptance of queer people in society," Brown said. "The decision was inevitable considering the Lawrence v. Texas case this past summer." In that case the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Texas state law against sodomy, effectively saying that citizens' sexual lives should be private, and the government should not have discretion in such cases. This will pave the way for gay marriage, the conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia said. "That didn't affect us in Massachusetts, but it is a government acknowledgement that LGBT people have real and meaningful relationships," Yarbrough said of the Lawrence v. Texas ruling. Ex-College lecturer, Robyn Ochs, who teaches classes in gender and sexuality studies, registered with her domestic partner, Peg Preble five years ago. The recent decision does not change their relationship. "For all intents and purposes we are married, we have been together for seven years, and have every intention of spending the rest of our lives together," Ochs said. Ochs says that their decision to register in Cambridge was mainly "pragmatic," so that her partner could get her health insurance benefits. "I [used to] view marriage as something primarily symbolic, but... I came to realize that marriage is much more than a symbolic institution. It's an entire program of benefits and protection," she said. Marrying for health insurance benefits and tax deductions is not unique. There are 1,049 federal benefits and approximately 350 state benefits given to legally married couples, according to Ochs, whose course this semester explored the issue. Because same sex marriage is not federally legal, Ochs pays more than an extra $100 a month to cover her partner in her health insurance. "Same sex couples work, pay taxes, and do not have equal access to rights and benefits," she said. "It's grossly unfair; I put in the same amount and get so much less back." For college students, many of whom are not yet ready to marry, the proposed legislation poses a different kind of significance. "This decision is a validation of their identities," Yarbrough said. "It's a government acknowledgement that LGBT people have real and meaningful relationships." But the decision did not draw only passionate responses supporting the decision. While homosexuals around the country were rejoicing, many conservative politicians, including President Bush, expressed harsh criticism of the outcome. "Marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman," Bush said immediately after the decision was released. "Today's decision ... violates this important principle. I will work with congressional leaders and others to do what is legally necessary to defend the sanctity of marriage." Senior and former President of the Tufts Republicans, Rachel Hoff, is also strongly opposed to gay marriage "I think the decision is a dangerous interpretation of a very old document that was clearly never meant to allow for homosexual marriage," Hoff said. "The Massachusetts Constitution was written by John Adams, a long time ago, and what the Supreme Court has done is said that the writers of the constitution said, in the spirit of that document, that gay marriage is constitutional." Republican Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney also denounced the decision and said he would work for a constitutional amendment to overturn it. Many conservatives have other concerns as well. Some have cited the fear that allowing homosexuals to marry will open the door for others to gain legitimacy for their intimate relationships, such as polygamy and incest, which are currently illegal in the United States. "Levitation of sodomy laws is going to take on the form of allowing people whose romantic lives fall outside of the law in other ways to have a defense for constitutional protection of their practices as well," Hoff said. "I think it's a dangerous slope that our country is going down and we are opening the doors to allow a lot of things other than just the intended allowance of homosexuality." For such opponents of the decision, there is the option of appealing the decision to the US Supreme Court during the next six months. According to CNN, the Massachusetts State Legislature now has two options. Either, the legislature can write laws legalizing same-sex marriages, or it could not act at all and let the ruling go forward. Ochs looks forward to what she hopes is a positive outcome. "I visited the Netherlands after it legalized same sex marriage and had dinner with friends, a same sex couple. They showed me their wedding books, and I'm not generally a big fan of marriage and weddings, but I started crying," she said. "[Marriage] is something we deserve, and it seems possible now -- and I want it."

The Setonian
News

Fencing wins six bouts against top Div. I school

December 2

A 21-6 loss isn't usually anything to brag about. But the women's fencing team returned home from such a loss to St. John's at Boston College two weekends ago with no shame. St. John's, a Division I school, has arguably the best fencing program in the nation. Virtually the entire team receives athletic scholarships, and the Red Storm typically boasts at least a few Olympic-caliber fencers. According to coach Jason Sachs, Tufts fencing St. John's is "as if the Tufts basketball team was playing Boston College -- they're not even comparable." The purpose of scheduling the seemingly uneven match-up, he explained, was to provide individual Jumbos with an opportunity to improve their national rankings, in order to bolster chances of qualifying for the NCAA's in March. National rankings are based on a points system, and if a Tufts fencer beats a St. John's fencer just once, she will earn far more points than if she wins even 3-0 against someone from a more comparable squad. "We had no expectation of beating them as a team," Sachs said. "But we were respectable." Sachs said that Tufts was able to prevail in six of the 27 bouts in part because St. John's did not use some of its best epee fencers, but that strong performances on the strip by some Tufts fencers also contributed to the victories. Entering the match, Sachs' highest expectations were on his two strongest athletes, sophomore saber captain Kat Zouein and her sister, freshman Louisa May Zouein. The two Jumbos had the best shot at winding up at NCAA's, so Sachs had that pair's national rankings foremost in his mind when opting to fence St. John's -- or a school like Columbia University, who Tufts will face this Saturday. In the saber competition, the elder Zouein went 1-2 in her first meet of the season. She earned her victory over All-American Christina Crane, who took eighth at last year's NCAA Championships. "I started out pretty slow, but by my last bout I was doing really well," Zouein said. According to Sachs, Kat Zouein earned around 90 points towards her own ranking by defeating such a high-ranked fencer. Louisa May Zouein lost all three of her bouts, but Sachs said he was neither disappointed nor entirely surprised. The Red Storm brought a very strong saber squad to the meet, and it was only Louisa May's second collegiate competition. Earlier this season, the younger Zouein displayed just how much potential she has when she won "The Big One," a meet that features nearly all of New England's strongest fencing schools. While the Tufts saberists -- the Zoueins and freshman Kara Davidson -- faced top-notch competition, winning only one of nine saber bouts, St. John's epee and foil squads were not quite as foreboding. The Jumbos took full advantage of that fact, and the epeeists did especially well, going 4-9. "The epee squad did a lot better than expected," Sachs said. "I was very proud of us." Freshman Katie Muller "showed a lot of promise," according to sophomore foilist Julia Shih. Muller won two of her three epee bouts, in her first fencing competition ever. "I was nervous," Muller said. "But when I got on the strip, you just do what you do in practice and hope that everything goes well. And it did." Senior foil captain Cristina Zahara was the only Jumbo to post a win in the foil competition, where she beat a more experienced St. John's fencer. "It was nice to be able to hang out with the best team in the country and it's not a bad experience," Sachs said. "When we fence teams that are comparable to us, like a Wellesley or a Smith or BC, then we will have much higher expectations." "This team really seems willing to come in every day and get better," Sachs continued. "I'm happy to push people as far as I can push them, but I also have to be patient and know that it takes time. But I'm optimistic."

The Setonian
News

Vatican observer to the UN speaks at Goddard

December 2

Archbishop Celestino Migliore, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, spoke about peace and the role of the Pope in international relations yesterday. Migliore's speech, delivered at the Goddard Chapel Forum on Religion and Politics, was centered on a spiritually directive letter, or encyclical, written by Pope John XXIII in 1963 called "Pacem in Terris," or "Peace on Earth." John XXIII's encyclical aimed to update the teachings of the church regarding war and peace. "Many wonder what entitles the pope, a spiritual leader, to deal with these secular issues," Migliore said. He reasoned that since humans are given moral choice, "politics is subject to moral scrutiny." Migliore said that Catholic social teaching was based on Jesus' teaching to "love your neighbor" and is rooted in the gospel, or teachings of Jesus as related in the Christian Bible. "Loving our neighbor on the social level means looking at every aspect of our daily existence on the grounds of love," Migliore said. "The pope does not speak with the authority of a military official or a head of state," he said. "He speaks as a churchman, trying to clarify the gospel's point of view." Migliore emphasized the Vatican's position on the necessity of the UN in the Iraq conflict. "The Holy See kept insisting on the indispensable role of the UN," he said, "since the very beginning of the Iraqi crisis." Peter Thuesen, a professor in the comparative religion department, asked Migliore if the Vatican was "engaged in trying to persuade the Bush administration to abandon unilateralism." Migliore responded by saying that the Vatican is now pressuring for UN influence in reconstruction of Iraq and has communicated this to both Bush and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. "What concerns us is that we work for quick democratic reconstruction and we think that the UN can help a lot," he said. Migliore said that though the Vatican sometimes disagreed with the UN on certain social teachings such as "life issues" involving abortion and birth control, it still considered the UN "a credible instrument of strengthening and maintaining world peace." "Pacem in Terris" was written at the height of the Cold War. "The world in which John XXIII wrote was then in a state of profound disorder," Migliore said. "The encyclical spoke of everyone belonging to the human family." He cited the Berlin Wall, the Holocaust, the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as examples that the state was "no longer sufficient to guarantee stability." Migliore said that "Pacem in Terris" sought to replace the idea of "we will always have wars" with "peace is possible" and updated Catholicism's Just War principles, which seek to minimize the consequences of war. "Let's employ persuasion and negotiation first and foremost," Migliore said. "What concerns us is not the effects of war, but the people, the civilian population." He used embargos and an example. "If an embargo is used as a nonviolent alternative," he said, those who put the embargo in place must ensure that it does not hurt the civilian population "so that people who are suffering for so many other reasons will not be further penalized." Migliore praised Pope John Paul II's famous opposition to Communism and support of Lech Walesa's Solidarity Movement in Poland, saying that Communism's sole focus on a class struggle resulted in the loss of individual identity. "Nations, communities, families, and individuals should not be anonymously immersed into a society," he said. In Migliore's view, by supporting those who opposed Communism in Poland, Pope John Paul II ensured that "the church is no longer the opium of the people, but the vitamin of the weak." Migliore was introduced by University Chaplain David O'Leary and by Archbishop of Boston Sean O'Malley. "We're so pleased the Holy Father has named [Migliore] to the UN and we're sure he'll do a great job," O'Malley said. "It's a wonderful topic," O'Malley said of the speech. The archbishop mentioned that he gave the valedictory speech, in Latin, on "Pacem in Terris" at his graduation from the seminary. Migliore was appointed to his position by Pope John Paul II in 2002 after serving in Angola, Egypt, and as a representative to the Organization of American States. According to O'Leary, when he contacted Migliore last year, he was "very open to visiting."

The Setonian
News

Cross country builds most successful season ever

December 2

The question for the 2004 men's cross country team will be, can you top last year? Thanks to the 2003 squad, it will be tough to do so, although next year's set of Jumbos, which will be virtually the same as this year's, will certainly have a shot. However, this year's team was so good that it really only left room for improvement in one major race next year -- nationals. A late season stretch that saw the team capture four consecutive races, three of them championship meets, on their way to finishing eleventh in the nation earned Tufts its best regular season ever. "I would have to say that this is [the most successful team I've had]," coach Connie Putnam said. "The fact that we fell back at nationals doesn't take away from the rest of the season." The Jumbos hurdled every barrier in their path in earning the right to call themselves the best Division III team in New England. The Jumbos overcame bizarre injuries and beat Keene State, which they were unable to do earlier in the season at the Jumbo Invitational, and won their first ever NESCAC championship and New England title. Along the way, the squad also threw in an ECAC championship, a victory at the Twin Brook Invitational, and a top ten finish (first out of Division III schools) at the All-New England Championship. For the Jumbos, all this followed a September chock full of second place finishes, two by a single point, while racing at half strength. "We spent September splitting the squad and not believing we could win at half strength," senior co-captain Peter Bromka said. "But it paid off exactly how we wanted it to later in the season, and next year we want to win those early season meets because we should be able to do that." Bromka's coach also shared his sentiments on the delayed success of the early season lineup shuffling. "I'm pleased with the way the plan worked," Putnam said. "It takes time to figure out who's going to step up over the season." Among those who did step up were NESCAC Rookie of the Year Josh Kennedy, who joined junior Nate Brigham as a bona fide front runner, junior Brian McNamara, who successfully recovered from an injury that wiped out his 2002 season, and sophomore Kyle Doran, who finished third or better on the team seven times after doing so just once his freshman year. On the flip side, sophomore Matt Lacey began the season strong but faded from overtraining before recovering to finish fourth overall in his final race, ECAC's. "We let him carry his mileage too far into the season," Putnam admitted. "He had the appearance of Superman and then he went stale all of a sudden. But I can't fault Matt for working too hard, knowing what the team had in mind this season." Both Putnam and Lacey were confident the same problem would not occur again next year. "For next season I know what my limits are," Lacey said. "I won't go nuts the first two weeks of the season trying to race Nate stride for stride. I know what my body can handle; I'm smarter now." His roommate, Doran, will try to go in the opposite direction with his training. "I didn't work as hard as I should have over the summer," Doran said. "It's a long season so I knew once I got into my training I would take off, and I did. But I can see now if I want to get to that next level I have to dig in earlier." The Jumbos will have to dig in next year, as they will take on the role of favorite in New England. They will do so minus seniors Peter Jurczynski, James "Slams" Lamoureux, Dave Hennessy, Zach Chrisco, Matt Theodoros, and co-captain Jon Rosen, all of whom Putnam said will be missed. "Their maturity was unbelievable. You miss seniors whether or not they run in the top seven," he said. "This is the kind of group of seniors you wish you didn't have to lose." Putnam won't be losing all of his seniors, however, as Bromka and fellow classmate Ian Joseph will return in the fall to take advantage of one last semester of eligibility. It should be a good final semester for them, as the squad returns all eight runners who were on the roster for nationals, as well as a group of fast-improving freshmen and junior Mike Don, who has been in and out of the top seven his entire career and will no doubt be competing for a spot there in the fall. That talent, combined with an added year of championship experience, should have the Jumbos sitting high in New England again next year and looking to improve on this year's lackluster performance at nationals, which Putnam thought was due partially to drained emotions. "I think this team really took a major stride forward," Putnam said. "Getting wins at NESCAC's and regionals is a great accomplishment. It's too bad some people will remember what we did most recently. I was not happy with that race after the season we had." "Nationals was kind of hallow for us," Bromka admitted. "But we had so many successes this year that we know we're doing things the right way. Coach has a theory that until you actually win NESCAC's or regionals, you may think that you can, but you don't actually know you can do it," Bromka said. "Now we know we can, and we plan to again next year."

The Setonian
News

World AIDS Day comes to Tisch

December 2

The World AIDS Day rally was held in the Tisch Library on Monday, in order to raise awareness and prompt action against the deadly virus. Information on the disease was available in the main lobby of Tisch, including a table displaying statistical information and an emotionally-charged educational video about the disease. Also on display in the lobby was a 12- by 12-foot patchwork quilt hung to commemorate World AIDS day this past Monday. The quilt used a variety of fabrics, colors, and designs to highlight the lives of those who died from AIDS. The section of the AIDS Quilt on display at Tisch -- one of 5,600 panels in total -- represented only a small fraction of those who have died from the disease. There were eight patchwork sections on the panel, each measuring six feet by three feet -- the same dimensions as a grave plot. So far, the quilt has raised more than $4.2 million in donations from those who have seen it. The quilt was started in 1987 as a way of putting faces to the staggering statistics of AIDS death. "It becomes a reality," said sophomore Archana Asundi. According to the World AIDS Day website, five people in the world die of AIDS every minute, and there are more than 42 million people affected in total. There are almost 14,000 new cases of HIV infection daily. "In high school we learned about it but people just thought [it was a distant problem]. They shrugged it off," said junior Abie Ighodaro, one of the students who volunteered to pass out red ribbon stickers that commemorate the day. The most affected area of the world is Africa. "A whole continent is dying off," Ighodaro said. Yet, despite the staggering number of deaths caused by the virus, people still are not paying attention, according to Julie Wlodinguer, a student coordinator for AIDS Outreach. "People don't think they're vulnerable," she said. According to Wlodinguer, apathy is the biggest problem in fighting AIDS, coupled with fear and ignorance. This year's World AIDS Day was committed to breaking down the hurtful stigma attached with the disease. Those living with the disease today must also deal with people who believe that the only people who contract the disease are homosexuals and intravenous drug users. "People need to know that once you have HIV you can still live normally," Wlodinguer said. Another issue is finding a line between scaring people enough to act without creating a fear of those who have contracted the disease. "Figuring out how to help can be really difficult," Janet Mozes, a Nurse Practitioner at Health Services said. Ighodaro suggested "spreading the word," and fundraising as two approaches. Spreading the word about the virus was Mozes' goal for the day. She said that just wearing the red World AIDS Day ribbon can help raise awareness and that it is through heightening awareness that stigma is combated. Tisch was chosen for its high student visibility and potential for catching attention. Many other people took part in World AIDS Day. Campuses across the nation held candlelight vigils to remember those who died. Celebrities joined the fight as well, hosting educational television programs, wearing ribbons, and headlining benefit concerts.

The Setonian
News

Home court proves sweet for men's basketball

December 2

In its home opener, the men's basketball team came alive during the second half to earn its second win of the year. Tufts defeated MIT 72-56, breaking the 70-point mark for the first time this season. Tufts went into this game with something to prove, as the team had watched the beginning of its season start with a 1-3 slide in its first four contests. Unfortunately for the Engineers, Tufts had a different game plan in mind. Despite a slow start, culminating in a 29-29 halftime score, the Jumbos took a run at the beginning of the second half and never looked back. A quick 15 minutes later and the Jumbos celebrated their second win of the season. "MIT is a solid team with big guys and good shooters," coach Bob Sheldon said. "This was a good win for us, but we are a young team and each game we need to get better." During the first half, the team was off, barely holding an unearned lead as the offense struggled to find the easy shots. However, when Tufts did put the ball up, they were successful 50 percent of the time. At the same time the defense was holding MIT to only 46.4 percent, allowing them only three shots from behind the arc. This was part of Tufts game strategy, as in its previous time out, MIT took down Suffolk (69-57) with an assault from downtown, totaling 12 shots. Senior Andrew Tsai and sophomore Mike D'Auria combined for ten, making those two prime targets for the Jumbo D. As the half progressed, the Jumbos continued to squander opportunities their defense provided for them, sometimes turning the ball over on three consecutive possessions before getting a shot off the ground. In the second half a whole new squad arrived on the court. The offense was smooth instead of scrambling, and defensive gains were translating into points on the board. "In the second half we came out with some real life," Sheldon said. "We played with passion and we played as a team." Tufts began to make its run with about fifteen minutes left in the game. Making his presence felt for the first time, senior co-captain Deyvehn East hit his first of three three-pointers to increase Tufts lead 36-31. East put up big numbers all-around in the second, including a team high 17 points as well as six rebounds. "I was able to see the matrix in the second half," East said. "Everyone was talking and we picked up the intensity." MIT could not respond on its next possession allowing Tufts to increase its lead to seven after a jump shot by sophomore Blaine Lay. The 6'7" center proved to be trouble for the Engineers on both sides of the court, matching ten points with a notable 11 rebounds. MIT got one jump shot before East answered with another three-pointer to give Tufts a 41-33. On the next go-around, he said goodnight to the Engineers, drawing a foul while finding the basket on a break to the inside. After making the subsequent free-throw, Tufts was now up by ten, a lead that would not diminish in the last ten minutes of the game. "Deyvehn came back as the leader for the second half," Sheldon said. As if the roles had reversed, the Jumbos were now forcing MIT to make the mistakes, often times pushing them to shot clock violations. Meanwhile, Tufts replaced its turnovers with baskets, holding itself to only five in the second half. "During the half, I told them to make the easy pass and get better picks," Sheldon said. Freshman David Shepherd was also on hand at the guard position to rev up the offense. He contributed 12 points to the win, as well as an energetic presence on the court to keep the offense moving. "David [Shepherd] was a nice spark for us during the time he was on the court," Sheldon said. Also notable was the turnaround in the Jumbos free-throwing percentage. The Brown and Blue entered the game shooting 50.5 percent from the stripe, but was 81.3 percent last night, including an impressive 9-10 during the second half. Tufts coasted towards the end of the game, holding the score at 72-56 as the final seconds wound down. "We picked it up on both defense and offense and we came together during the second half," East said. "This was a big win for us in terms of confidence. This win was all about chemistry."

The Setonian
News

Furry little roomates

December 2

When I started my college search, the main thing I looked at was whether or not schools allowed their students to have pets. Now this may seem strange, but you have to understand that I am very attached to my cat, also known as "The Baby". She is great, and you all would love her too if you had the pleasure of knowing her. Back to the college search. So I had heard that Tufts was a good school and when I found out that a speaker was visiting my high school, I decided to attend. I sat and listened to how great Tufts was for about forty-five minutes, after which the speaker asked if there were any questions. I sat through everyone's questions about majors, the activities available at Tufts, and the school's study abroad options before raising my hand and asking if students were allowed to have pets in their dorms. "No," she replied, "are there any other questions?" I raised my hand again. "No pets at all?" I asked. "What about fish?" "Okay," she said. "Fish are allowed. Turtles and frogs are okay, things like that. Basically, you can have anything you keep in a tank. Any other questions?" This seemed like good news for The Baby, so I raised my hand again. "So, what if I were to put my cat in a tank? Would that be allowed?" "No. There are no cats allowed at Tufts." This lady seemed extremely bitter, I am pretty sure she had some traumatic feline experience at some point in her life. I really liked the sounds of Tufts, but I was not quite ready to give up on the idea of taking The Baby with me. My next question was what would happen to you if the administration found out that you had snuck a cat into your dorm. Would they kick you out, or just your pet? If I tried to sneak The Baby in and was unsuccessful, I would not mind flying her home to Oregon and returning to school. However, if they just kicked The Baby out on the streets by herself, or confiscated her (which would be evil), I would probably cry for the rest of my life. The woman never directly answered my question. She just recommended that I not try it and eventually kicked me out of her presentation. That was pretty rude, considering that I was not messing around or anything, I honestly wanted answers to the questions. Luckily, I had not filled out her little postcard, so she was unable to warn the admissions office not to accept me, like she probably wanted to. I could write an entirely different viewpoint on how mean that lady was and why Tufts should work on not allowing bitter people to represent their school. Anyway, a few more months into my college search, I had narrowed it down to my top two choices. One was Tufts, the other was this random marine biology school in Florida. I hate Florida and I hate biology. I have no interest spending the rest of my life in the ocean, mostly because sharks scare me, and I think I would get cold even if I was wearing one of those wetsuits, which by the way are sweet. But the Florida school had one major advantage: they allowed pets. The ocean does not sound as bad when I picture The Baby right there next to me, in a teeny snorkel mask and flippers. So for a long time I debated between the two schools. But after having my best friend telling me over and over again, "Stephie, I will not let you plan your life around that cat," I decided I should suck it up and say good-bye to The Baby. So I did, and here I am at Tufts. I was, however, incredibly close to becoming a marine biologist. My point in all this is that Tufts should allow students to keep pets -- or at least cats -- in their dorms. Even now, as next year's freshmen are applying to colleges, Tufts could be losing valuable potential students who cannot bear to leave their pets behind. There is no real problem with having pets in our dorms anyway. They should just add another question onto that roommate questionnaire: "Yes or No- are you allergic to cat hair?" My RA, (although he is a big fan of The Baby,) informed me that having pets in the dorms presents health issues, but it really does not. There just needs to be a requirement that cats are up-to-date on their immunizations. Students can get their meningococcal shots and then go get rabies vaccines for their cats. If Tufts is really concerned about the roommates of students with pets, they could designate one dorm that pets would be allowed in. It is not like they do a great job matching people up, anyway. I happen to love my roommate, but this girl in my hall told me, "I had to request a roommate transfer at the beginning of the year -- she was a chain smoker and I am allergic." How did the questionnaire miss that match-up? Besides, no one would turn down living with The Baby; she is way too cute. So basically, I think that Tufts should reverse their pet policy for the sake of kids like me and cats like The Baby. I am just one girl but this is what I know: If I ever get to fill out one of those Princeton Review surveys on how much I like my school, I know that when I get to the "overall quality of life" section, I will choose that I am "somewhat satisfied" and not "extremely satisfied." Now, that would be partially because Dewick just does not have fried chicken as often as it should, and partially because there are way too many slutty girls on this campus. Mostly, however, it would be because Tufts (like most other things,) just is not the same without The Baby. Stephanie Schnur is a freshman who has yet to declare a major

The Setonian
News

Big Buddy program brings Medford Kids, Tufts students together

December 1

A trip back to junior high school is not something every Tufts student wants to experience. The nightmares of cliques, and name calling, however means nothing to a group 20 or so Tufts students in the Big Buddy program. As members of the Big Buddy program Tufts students from Sigma Nu and Chi Omega volunteer every week to spend time with local preteens at the McGlynn School in Medford. The Sigma Nu fraternity started the program last year and expanded it this year to include Chi Omega sisters. Students from both Greek organizations meet on Friday afternoons and spend about an hour and a half with students at McGlynn after school. Senior Jordan Klein, Sigma Nu philanthropy chair, heads the Big Buddy program. "We work with a diverse group of kids, socializing and doing team building games," he said. "About 20 students and around 25 kids participate, though the numbers fluctuate from week to week." Chloe Kaplan, a junior, introduced the program into Chi Omega after hearing about the program at an Inter-Greek Council (IGC) meeting. Kaplan, also a Citizenship and Public Service Scholar with the University College of Citizenship and Public Service Decided to make the Big Buddy program her community project for this semester. With the addition of UCCPS funding, Kaplan has been able to provide McGlynn students and volunteers with t-shirts, snacks and money for materials. She is pleased with the progress of the program. "It's much more structured and solid," she said. "I think this program has so much potential. People have really embraced it and they are doing a phenomenal job." Kaplan felt that both the Somerville/Medford area and the Tufts Community would benefit from volunteer work with neighborhood children. "I realized this had the potential to be a solid program," she said. In recent weeks, however, a problem has plagued the program. Due to budget cuts in the local school district, the McGlynn school no longer provides after-school bus transportation on Mondays and Fridays. A significant number of students were unable to stay after school for the program because of the lack of busses. "Their parents can't come pick them up because they are working," sophomore Jill Hochstrasser said." However, this situation causes more problems because Friday is the best day logistically for Tufts students to participate in the program "Friday is the only day a big group of Tufts students don't have classes and are available to go," Hochstrasser said. Volunteers are not allowed to provide rides to the students because of liability issues. Other than this logistical problem, the program is thriving. Kaplan stressed the bond the volunteers have already formed with the kids and with each other. "After two weeks we were already talking about what we are going to do when we leave at the end of the semester." The goal of the program is to provide much more than snacks or t-shirts. "The goal is to build self-esteem," said Hochstrasser, who will take over for Kaplan when she goes abroad next semester, said. "This can be an awkward and uncomfortable time. We want to show the kids that people want to spend time with them, that people can have fun with them." Kaplan agreed that discussion with college students can be helpful to junior high students. "Kids of any age, particularly junior high, are struggling with so many issues that just seeing college students, especially from Tufts, can be helpful," she said. "It's important for them to see people that make them want to grow up and do well in school; to see that there is more out there." Klein and Kaplan both stress the importance of community service in the Greek system. Klein explained, "For us, it's a good way to blow off steam from a long week of classes and to show that the Greeks do far more than party." Kaplan echoed the same sentiment. "This program proves a lot to the administration at a time when the Greek system is not in the best condition."

The Setonian
News

Missy Elliot's latest just passes the test

December 1

Thank God for Missy Elliot. With her rap career nearing its seven-year anniversary, Missy's latest album, This Is Not A Test, gives fans a chance to remember the joints that kept our summers hot, as well as to appreciate the ever-changing and ever-innovative musical style of Missy. Missy and her super-producer and other-half Timbaland first teamed up to make hits on Missy's 1997 breakout debut Supa Dupa Fly. Five albums later, the duo have changed the face of hip-hop. They deserve our respect. However, the team's latest effort is not on the same level as its predecessors. This Is Not a Test seems less about Tim's production and more about Missy's trimmed waistline -- and mostly about Missy's personal explorations. This album isn't a memoir, but on it Missy does feature herself, her observations on hip-hop and society, and most prominently, her passion for sex. In this case, the improved content fails to make up for the lost sound. If the album does feel a little jumbled, don't worry. Get out your CD's liner notes, and take note because I'm about to break it down for you: Missy and Timbaland start out incredibly strong on the first four tracks. "Pass That Dutch" (a reference to Supa Dupa Fly's "Pass Da Blunt") is an instant club hit and a natural first release. While Missy rhymes, Tim laces the beat with Australian aboriginal didgeridoos to craft a whole new sound. Tim's remarkable creativity overflows on the next two tracks. "Wake Up" teaches the Neptunes what "Grindin'" might sound like underwater, and "Keep It Movin'" seamlessly blends hip-hop with dance hall. Missy uses these strong foundations to kick knowledge with Jay-Z and get people dancing with Elephant Man respectively on theses songs. New beats and solid collaborations give way to a forgettable middle of the album. The sound changed so much from track 4 to track 5 that I paused my first listening to find out who had taken over the reigns of production. Alarmingly, Missy was responsible. She has done successful production work for other artists in the past but the work she does for herself is average at best. Her tired R&B beats drag and Missy don't have Timbo's skill for sprinkling the track with the right combination of unfamiliar noises. The Timbaland tracks sandwiched in between Missy's products are hidden during a first listen of the album. Unfold those liner notes and you'll find a poster of Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot looking like fellow female rapper Lil' Kim. Yes, Missy looks good. The trouble comes when she goes beyond adopting the sex appeal of Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown to adopt their lyrical style. Missy has always talked about sex, but she has done it in party songs like "One Minute Man" and "Sock it to me." Missy's sex anthems are traded in for slower ballads on This Is Not A Test. On tracks like "Toyz" in which every verse is in praise of a different vibrator Missy is too overt. The song might have gone over better if Missy hadn't produced it. On the whole, the album does suffer from a lack of fun and messing around we've come to expect from the artist. She does get it right on "Let Me Fix My Weave" where she talks just as much about sex, except this time her lyrics and her flow are on point while the production was left to Timbaland. "Spelling Bee" is also of notable quality. Missy's albums are all too different to compare, so her latest can't be labeled better or worse than any of her other work. She's always testing the boundaries of what hip-hop will accept. While you can count on Misdemeanor for innovation, unless you're willing to give This Is Not A Test the time and concentration it deserves, grab for a different album.

The Setonian
News

MBTA ban to restrict amplified music in T stations

December 1

Over the years the Boston subway stations have given a start to many artists, including Tufts alumna Tracy Chapman, who got her start performing at the Harvard Square T station to earn money for trips home. However, new guidelines for subway performers will be limiting the equipment they can use, as well as charging them for permits. The stricter Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) guidelines, passed last month, start on Dec. 8. According to MBTA spokesman Joe Pestauro, amplifiers and amplified instruments, as well as any horn instrument - from recorders to trumpets - will not be allowed. The general response from T riders and even train operators seems to be negative; many feel that the musicians make waiting for the T a more enjoyable experience. However MBTA officials claim that they have received numerous complaints from T riders about loud and offensive music. Boston musician activists Dave Falk and Lisa Houseman feel that this description of the new policy is an attempt to hide the MBTA's true intent. "All electronic instruments from the bass to guitars to microphones, keyboards, electric guitars, or anything that requires a power source will now not be allowed; woodwinds are also on the list," Falk said. The last MBTA policy on T stop musicians was developed by the state legislature developed 18 years ago. The policy currently requires musicians to renew permits yearly so that the MBTA knows how many people are playing music in the T. However, with the new policy not only technical but also administrative changes are being implemented. Implementation of the new policy has already been delayed to the Dec. 8th date due to controversy. In the past, acquiring permits was free, but now musicians will have to pay 25 dollars each year in order to play at any of the stops. In addition, for the first time an application must also be submitted, according to Falk and Houseman. "The application asks for recommendations and musical education, which will completely alienate people who didn't go to school to study music," Falk said. Along with the permits, musicians will be required to wear photo IDs while performing, something Falk and Houseman said will inhibit artistic expression. Pestauro said that reforming musical performances at T-stops has been an issue since Sept. 11, 2001 for safety reasons. "There have been numerous complaints from T users that musicians play too loudly and muffle the announcements made by the MBTA," he said. "There have also been complaints about musicians blocking platforms." Houseman, however, disagreed with this view. "There have been several incidents where musicians, through the use of their mikes, have been able to help people using the T," she said. "Also the PA systems used in the T stops are inaudible. That's where the change needs to occur." According to Houseman and Falk, musicians have been able to reunite missing children with their parents and help stop gang fights with their microphones. Houseman said she recently alerted people about a blind man who was about to step off the platform and onto the track, allowing people to stop the man. Sophomore Amaya Wilhelm, a Bay Area resident, suggested that "instead of stopping the music, the T could look at using the system they use on the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit)." That system, she said, "includes posting announcements on a screen near the platform," which could prove more efficient since the T's PA systems are unreliable. Subway musician Steven Barret conducted an experiment measuring the decibel level of musicians at five different T stops. He found that the musicians were quieter than the fans and escalators running at the stops, and that the decibel levels were about the same as the conversations being held by T riders. He also found that the musicians were far quieter than the trains. Falk and Houseman say MBTA officials have not substantiated the claims of rider complaints. Many riders feel that if there are complaints, individual musicians should be reprimanded rather than all 650 who have MBTA permits. "If people find certain musicians offensive or loud then there can be changes made concerning how loud music can be played; they shouldn't completely end the music," Somerville resident Jake Cummings, a T-rider for over 30 years, said. In other major cities, including New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco, musicians are allowed to play with amplified instruments. Many T stop musicians said that they came to Boston specifically to play music because of the local arts scene. Although MBTA officials maintain that musicians are not being banned, many musicians and riders feel that with the lack of amplification, it will be impossible to hear the music being played. "The policy completely forbids a whole range of artists and instruments from being able to play," Falk said. "There will be no point to musicians without any means of amplification; no one will be able to hear us, and that's the bottom line."

The Setonian
News

Thanks a lot, Theo!

December 1

Theo Epstein is a big fat stupid idiot. While the rest of the country was stuffing turkey, pumpkin pie, and well, stuffing down their pie holes with their own families, the nine-year-old general manager of the Red Sox spent Thanksgiving with the Schilling family in Arizona. Unless you've been living in a cave with Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar (recently spotted in a Pakistani mosque), or you missed page 18 of yesterday's Daily, the Diamondbacks' ace waived the no-trade clause in his contract and packed his bags for Beantown. So screw you, Theo. The last column of the semester, and I have to write about this? So far, I've written about video games, rodeos, and beard competitions -- basically anything besides real, legitimate sports, and I thought I could get out of the semester with that streak intact. But noooo. I could have used this space to write about the death of Gertrude Ederle (the first woman to swim the English Channel), last week's British Wheelchair Sports Awards, or this week's $205,000 CITGO Bassmaster Open fishing competition, but somebody thinks he can break the curse of the freakin' Bambino. I could have even used this space to rant about the Lakers' 99-77 humiliation of the Pacers on Sunday night, and how my high school team would put up more of a fight against the Western Conference than any NBA team in the East. Thanks to little Theo, though, there ain't nothin' but Schill on the sports radar. Any sports website or newspaper page in the country looks pretty much like this: Schill, Schill, Schill, Schill, Schill, Schill, Schill. Oh yeah, and then some 20-word brief about the Kobe trial. So since I don't really have a choice on the topic, I might as well start the column, seeing as though I'm already 302 words in. First of all, hear this, Bostonia: Curt Schilling will not take you to a World Series. What's that, you say? Here it is again: Curt Schilling will not take you to a World Series. Screw Theo? Hogwash, you say. Screw Brian! How could Schilling possibly fail? After all, this guy tag-teamed with the 6'10" Big Mullet down in the desert to go medieval on the Evil Empire in the 2001 Series, so playing second fiddle to Pedrito "Blame Grady" Martinez should be no problem. Not only that, you say, but the short fences at Fenway should be no problem even though Curt's a fly ball pitcher. I mean, come on, he had to deal with a retractable roof opening and closing every five minutes whenever it started to sprinkle in Arizona. Plus, Schill's a student of the game, a real player's player, so he'll appreciate the history and mystique that goes with playing in Boston. All the Diamondbacks have for tradition is a few gloves and throwbacks on loan from Cooperstown in the Cox Gallery in Bank One Ballpark. Yeah, and one more thing, you say: Boston fans kick Arizona fans' collective ass. How can a bunch of tourists, golf pros, and retirees from Scottsdale possibly compare with the third-generation Sox fans who pack Yawkey Way? Well here goes, morons. El Curto was actually drafted by the Bo Sox in the second round in 1986, which means he'll be coming home -- oh wait, he didn't get to play a game in the bigs with the Sox before being traded to the Orioles in 1988 with Brady Anderson for Mike Boddicker. If he was drafted in 1986, that means that he's been hurlin' from the mound for as long as most kids here have been out of diapers. The dude just turned 37! If he exercises his option for a third year in Boston, he'll be 40. Not only that, he's coming off an 8-9 season where he gave up only one less walk (32) in 168 innings than he did the previous year (33) in 259 innings. In 1991, Schilling, Steve Finley, and Pete Harnisch were shipped off to the Astros for Glenn Davis, and in 1992, Schilling was traded to the Phillies for Jason Grimsley. In the middle of the 2000 season, the Phills sent Schill to Arizona for Omar Daal, Nelson Figueroa, Travis Lee, and Vicente Padilla. Schilling's arrival in Boston, then, will be the first time he's played for an American League team since 1990. In his three seasons in Baltimore, he went 1-6 with an average ERA of 6.2. His new AL surroundings will present another problem -- the pitchers don't bat. Not that Schilling was awesome with the lumber himself (he hit only .150 over 13 seasons -- which, by the way, puts Nomar's post-season numbers to shame), but he'll have to face an actual batter instead of a lanky southpaw one extra time through the lineup. In addition, his first and only year with the Astros (3.81 ERA) and his first year with the Diamondbacks (3.69 ERA) were statistically the worst years of his career. So if the Sox got Schilling to win now (which they did) they may be disappointed. Add to all this the fact that all the Red Sox have in the bull pen is Mike Timlin (just re-signed) and Byung Hyun Kim (who couldn't close a revolving door), and you get the picture that Theo's time was sadly misspent. Oh yeah, and Schilling's middle name is Montague.

Trending
The Tufts Daily Crossword with an image of a crossword puzzle
The Print Edition
Tufts Daily front page