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A tribute to those who discovered America

August 31

There are many things I don't understand about American culture. Like how it makes sense not to allow gay people to participate in marriage yet still demonize them as anti-family. Or how we can roll back 30 years of affirmative action for under-represented communities, yet we continue to disregard the very affirmative actions that we have for the privileged of society. What all of this does makes me understand that America specializes in the art of denial. There is a tendency for us to make up myths and believe them when it comes to subjects we'd rather ignore like racism, sexism, homophobia, classism... and so on. Nothing solidifies this idea for me more than the myth of Columbus and the Columbus Day (or "American Genocide Day", as I've found more accurately describes it). Before I'm dismissed as an America-hating commie, I'll be the first to admit that I don't consider this the worst nation around. I've even toyed with the idea that it is close to the best. As a white person, of course, it is easy for me to feel that way. After learning the true history of the United States and going abroad on several occasions, it seems to me that what distinguishes this country from others with human rights abuses is that we hide it better. Naturally I do not condone nor compare the atrocities of Burma, Rwanda or Chiapas to the problems here. Those are easily identifiable instances of oppression. But many Americans firmly believe that we are a free, just, and democratic society with only a few glitches. As educated individuals here at Tufts we should be able to see past these thinly veiled myths that we are expected to blindly believe. For example, let's look at what exactly we celebrate on American Genocide Day.... I mean Columbus Day. About 500 years ago, Chris came over (by mistake) to what would be later called the Americas. Did he discover anything? Well, if we conveniently forget about the millions upon millions of Native Americans already living here and the possibility of previous Europeans visiting the Americas, then yes he did. On his first visit, our fearless "discoverer" met the Arawak people who greeted him in peace. He returned the favor by enslaving hundreds of them and sent them to Spain, many of whom died en route. As if that wasn't enough to turn you off from a celebration, the next five centuries included a long list of intentional and unintentional European-imported atrocities. Am I dwelling in the past by opposing the celebration of this man? Are indigenous people "better off in the modern world", as some contend? My hunch is that few Native Americans would advocate that what has happened was a necessary trade-off to live in the "modern world" (although colonization ensures that there will be some who do). As a non-native, my opinion is grounded in part by the fact that we have depleted Native American populations to a fraction of what they used to be and furthermore, as an act of covert racism, we often speak of them as if they were completely extinct. How many of us can name ten (or five... or even two!) nations or tribes which are still functioning? The denial on our part that many Native Americans survive and flourish under the oppression that they encounter is a tool to disempower them. Representation of Natives in the media still represents them as savages or simple, prehistoric hunter-gatherers. John Wayne-esque movies are an easy place to see this. But these perceptions can be perpetuated in places we wouldn't expect. For example, the liberal environmental movement often stereotypes Native Americans as "living in harmony with the Earth", and perpetuates the idea that those who use electricity and watch TV are not "real Indians". And for those of us who follow the quintessential American past time of baseball, how can we forget the friendly debates surrounding the "Tomahawk Chop" and the use of the name "Atlanta Braves". Call me anal, but someone has yet to explain to me how using Native Americans as mascots in the same category as socks and animals is honoring them. I'd love to know because considering the historic relationship between Native Americans with white America, it's not hard to compare that to a German soccer team running around with "Berlin Jews" blazed across their chests, as Ward Churchill once noted. I know I'll be branded a PC warrior or someone who is fighting a symbolic battle. But I feel it's far from symbolic. Columbus Day, which glorifies a genocidal past, is a slap in the face to all who are victim to and are fighting against the racism that terrorizes this society. An appropriate response would follow Berklee, California's example, which officially celebrates "Indigenous People's Day". Greg Czarnecki is a staff assistant at the Fletcher School.

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News

YNOTU hits Hotung

August 31

Although most Tufts students that pass through Hotung Cafe on Thursday nights only listen to the featured band for as long as it takes to get their midnight coffee fix, the performance by YNOTU last Thursday night drew an usually large crowd. The audience was not only substantially larger than other nights, but most of the students stayed for the entirety of the band's two-hour set. YNOTU (pronounced "why-not-you") showcased the five songs off their newest CD along with several other original tunes, and finished up the night with an array of cover songs. YNOTU has a great upbeat sound that is strengthened by the musical and vocal talent of the four members. Formed six months ago, the group's four members clearly work well together and complement each other onstage. Consisting of brothers Nate Collins (guitar and vocals, and the only Tufts student in the group) and Josh Collins (the bassist they call affectionately "Sir Bass A Lot"), Chris Filtrante (drums), and Brad Pitcher (guitar and vocals), YNOTU displayed its talent through an impressive variety of songs that ranged from the upbeat "Chance" to the softer and more acoustic "Brother's Keeper." YNOTU was described by some audience members as "Goo Goo Dolls-esque." The strong vocals of Nate Collins and Pitcher along with the instrumentals of Filtrante and Josh Collins undoubtedly set them apart from the dozens of Tufts bands that pass through Hotung and Brown and Brew. Their rendition of "Pillow" off their new CD featured an impressive drum solo while "Stick Figure" (also featured on their CD) was marked by an impressive display of guitar and bass instrumentals. Possibly the highlight of the evening was the informal jam session that led into a song entitled "Where Are You, Ms. Jessica Biel." Mostly an instrumental, the lyrics basically repeated the title with a few variations, including "Where is the soon-to-be Ms. Jessica Pitcher" which left the audience laughing. Their next song, "Ex-Girlfriend," was also a source of comic relief, mainly because Filtrante left his seat by the drums to take center stage and repeat the rather bitter lyrics through a megaphone. Although distracting at certain points, the song clearly showed that YNOTU's chemistry onstage translated into more than just the typical array of rock songs. Their set closed with a beautiful version of "Brother's Keeper" with Nate and Josh Collins' father Tom Collins joining in with a solo violin introduction to the song. Suddenly, YNOTU was a showcase for the Collins' male talent, which was perfect for the beginning of Parents' Weekend. The band distributed free copies of its latest CD and encouraged everyone in the audience to "burn it for your friends." Those not lucky enough to own a CD burner can go to Brown and Brew on Oct. 28 to hear acoustic versions of TNOTU songs. They are definitely worth seeing (and hearing), even if only one member of the band is an official Tufts student.

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News

Yankees sweep weekend games

August 31

The New York Yankees won their 14th consecutive World Series game last night, a record of greatness that spans throughout all sports, with a 6-5 win over their cross-town rivals, the New York Mets. After a heart-stopping, 12-inning duel in Game One, which the Yankees won 4-3, Game Two nearly lacked any of the previous evening's tension. The Yankees jumped on the Mets early, as first baseman Tino Martinez and catcher Jorge Posada had consecutive RBI singles in the first inning. Third baseman Scott Brosius tacked on another run in the second, as he hit a solo home run off of Mets' starter Mike Hampton. The Yankees struck again in the fourth, when right fielder Paul O'Neill singled, driving in the Yankees' fourth run. A sacrifice fly in the seventh by Brosius and another RBI single from Martinez was more than enough for Yankee starter Roger Clemens. "The Rocket" started his first game against the Mets since the infamous game in which he beaned Mets catcher Mike Piazza. Clemens was superb all game, holding the Mets to only two hits in eight shutout innings and striking out nine. In fact, the only danger Clemens got into was in the first inning, when Piazza charged him. Clemens had struck out the first two hitters of the game before enticing Piazza to ground out on a seemingly harmless broken-bat hit. For no apparent reason, though, Clemens picked up part of the broken bat and threw it at Piazza, provoking the catcher to walk menacingly towards Clemens before cooler heads prevailed. Clemens was pulled in the ninth, giving way to reliever Jeff Nelson, who could not close out the game. After an Edgardo Alfonso single, Piazza homered, cutting the lead to 6-2 and forcing Yankee clipper Joe Torre to bring in his closer, Mariano Rivera. With a runner on first, Todd Zeile, who had the only two hits off Clemens, gave everyone a scare when he hit a ball to the wall before it was corralled by left fielder Clay Bellinger. With one out, left fielder Benny Agbayani grounded into the outfield to keep the rally alive before Jay Payton hit a three-run homer to cut the lead to one. However, Rivera got pinch-hitter Kurt Abbot to strike out to end the game. On the night, Derek Jeter, Martinez, Posada, and O'Neill all had multi-hit games. Despite the slight drama in the ninth last night, nothing could match the epic game the two teams played in Game One on Saturday night. The Yankees won in the bottom of the 12th inning after four hours and 51 minutes of heart-stopping action. Second baseman Jose Vizcaino singled off of Turk Wendell to bring in Martinez, and the Yankees had won the longest game in World Series history 4-3. The Mets appeared to have the game in hand, as they led 3-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth, but reliever Armando Benitez could not hold the lead. Benitez, who has had his troubles in the post-season - giving up the most homeruns in post-season history - conceded a sacrifice fly to designated hitter Chuck Knoblauch. Then, in the 12th, the Yankees loaded the bases and Vizcaino, who had four hits in the game, played the role of the hero. In a game of that length and excitement, many plays get lost in the mix, however, one may have been bigger than all the rest. With the score tied at zero in the sixth, Zeille hit a fly ball that appeared to be going over the wall, and Mets' right fielder, Timo Perez, didn't run hard on the play. The ball glanced off the top of the wall, just shy of a homer, but Perez was thrown out at the plate to end the inning. It was the one run the Mets needed.

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News

Jackson Jills shine on new album

August 31

The job of an a cappella group is to put a new spin on the pop songs everyone loves and recognizes. A successful album depends entirely on the group's ability to interpret the songs and adapt them to their own musical style, not to mention a little musical talent. Tufts' very own Jackson Jills do all that and more on their latest album, Snapshots.

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News

No backsies!

August 31

I am trying to find the humor in this whole election fiasco. The chain of events is truly remarkable: the media calls a state, then retracts its call, only to call it again and retract it again; one presidential candidate concedes and then retracts his concession; a dead Democrat beats a live Republican for a Senate seat; and the First Lady wins a Senate seat. The list actually goes on. I am waiting for Ronald Reagan to accidentally enter the race just to make things more interesting.A while back I wrote a Viewpoint ("The Age Gap," 9/13/00) stating that the elderly voters have hijacked this election from younger generations. That Viewpoint, if I may flatter myself a bit here, was right on the money, because the entire election now hinges on the votes of the graying Florida population.Part of the controversy centers on a ballot in Palm Beach County which, according to www.voter.com, confusedelderly voters so much that they accidentally voted for Pat Buchanan instead of Al Gore. It's strange, but the same thing happened to me in a Swampscott, Mass. voting booth, where I accidentally voted for Satan instead of marking off "Al Gore and Joseph Lieberman." I called a few of my elderly Jewish grandparents' contacts in Palm Beach County and found out that the ballot really was a problem. The perplexing ballot, combined with the age factor, tilted a Jewish precinct towards the less than tolerant Patrick Buchanan. Here is what my contacts told me:"Are you kidding me, I can't even work my answering machine, let alone read a ballot as confusing as that. Oy, I knew everything would turn out badly. God willing I will live through this day.""Yeah, I'm bloated, what's it to you? What? Speak up! I can't hear you! What? .... Oh, yes, I voted. Confused? Of course I'm confused, I'm 90 years old and forgot to put on my pants this morning. I voted in my underwear. Wait a minute, you're not my wife. Who are you and why are you calling me at work?""No, I didn't vote because my golf game ran late, then I had to meet the girls for dinner in Boca, and by the time I got back it was already dark and I can't drive at night. Actually I can't drive in the day either, but don't tell my wife that. She's blind as a bat and didn't notice that I drove into an orange grove."In an effort to get at the bottom of this ballot business I analyzed a copy of the controversial Palm Beach County form:"President/Vice President: Vote for ONE choice. You must press in the corresponding hole of the party with the corresponding hole of the candidate(s). If you fail to punch the right holes, then we will be forced to track down your grandkids and kill them and then you will be removed from your retirement village and placed in a nursing home, where all you will eat is sugar-free Jell-o." The words are written so small that even healthy people could not read them, and the hole-punch system looks pretty messed up as well. For example, Democrat corresponds with Patrick Buchanan, and Republican corresponds with Ralph Nader, and the Natural Law Party matches the selection "who are these people and what do they want with me?"I am no expert, but I think there may have been some manipulation of voters in this Florida precinct. This problem is to be expected, when one considers that it is the elderly who are voting in this location, and we all know that they cannot drive and that they all fall asleep watching Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Perhaps I mentioned this in the Viewpoint, but my grandmother blames Ed Sullivan for everything that is wrong in this country. In her words, "He should never have brought the Beatles into this country, with their drugs and their sex. Oy I'll tell ya, it's terrible." Don't get me wrong, I love my grandparents, and old people in general are very cute, but it doesn't sit well with me that their votes are determining this election. Are the elderly Floridians that valuable? I say let's throw out the Florida vote altogether. Most of the state's inhabitants are not going to survive through the term of the new president anyway, and besides, the state looks like a penis, so there really should not be a contest here. Let's just forget it, and call the Sunshine State and tell them that because they can't make up their senile minds, they are out of it! Another factor in the Election Night (now stretching to an Election Week) has been the media's inexplicable ineptitude. The theme of the coverage has been retraction: evidently neither the media nor the candidates have heard of the grade school playground mantra of "no backsies." The media called Florida early on for the Gore camp, and then took it back to the no man's land of "too close to call," then gave it to Bush, and then back to too close to call. This flip-flopping is driving the pundits crazy. The trio of Bernard Shaw, Judy Woodruff, and Jeff Greenfield on CNN has been quite amusing as they say things like, "This election just gets interestinger and interestinger," and "I don't know how this will turn out, but George W. Bush has just won the election. Wait, I misspoke. I meant to say, we in the media are all on crack. Yeah, that's the ticket." I was even more disturbed when Greenfield said, "As it gets later and later my sex appeal gets greater and greater. What do you say we do it on the Electoral College map Judy?"Even the Former President's News Network (FPNN) screwed up on this one. They aired George Bush Sr.'s expos?©, "How to Sleep with Barbara to Create the Next President," and ran the inaccurate election results underneath it. Later in the night the fledgling network abandoned covering the election altogether and reran an episode from "Ford's Folleys," a segment of "Nixon's Investigative Reports," "This Week in Social Security with FDR," and the ever popular series, "Nancy, When Was I President?" with Ronald Reagan. My favorite channel, The Weather Channel, stood out among the large press pack and succeeded in giving its usual impeccable coverage, calling for "partly sunny skies in Florida with high temperatures in the mid to upper 70s."

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News

Disciplinary panel ruling says DJ

August 31

A student-faculty disciplinary panel ruled last month that two Tufts seniors did not violate University policy when they fired disc jockey Joe Viglione last summer. The Woburn resident, who filed charges against the students for "defamation of character" and "infliction of emotional distress" plans to appeal the outcome. At a Nov. 20 hearing held by the Dean of Students office, the panel ruled not to punish WMFO executive board members David Dougan and Levi Novey. It did order Dougan to write a letter of apology for sending an "unnecessarily rude," "disrespectful," and "inappropriate" e-mail to Viglione's home. Viglione, who is also suing Dougan for $2,000 in damages in Woburn small claims court, was a volunteer DJ on the station until he was fired on July 1 by Dougan, Novey, and WMFO General Manager Michael Dupuy. "For six months now I haven't been on the radio there," Viglione said Friday. "They're trying to paint me as someone that everyone hated." Calling the disciplinary ruling a "victory," Viglione went on to express his hopes of removing the entire WFMO executive board and eventually being allowed back on the air. "That show meant the world to me," he said. Dupuy, who maintains that Viglione was justly removed from WMFO after the police were called to the station this summer, said he was encouraged by last month's ruling. "I feel that the proceedings were fair and at this point, it's really up to Dougan as to whether he wants to comply with what the judicial bodies are telling him," he said. "WMFO will support him whatever he decides to do." Dean of Judicial Affairs Veronica Carter declined to comment on the specifics of the case. She would not confirm the names of any parties involved but did say that the University is participating in the ongoing adjudication of the issue.In an Oct. 16 letter to Carter and Dean of Students Bruce Reitman, Viglione accused the two students of numerous offenses, including holding double standards and failing to follow due process. "It was malicious, it was done with premeditation, and it is a total abuse of power," said Viglione of the July 2 e-mail from Dougan that notified him of his dismissal. Viglione accused the University of "dragging its feet" on the issue, misleading him on his options, and withholding his police report for an unreasonable period of time. In a letter last week to Nathan Gantcher, chairman of the University Board of Trustees, he called for the WMFO executive board to be abolished and for Tufts to turn over items which he plans to use as evidence in court. According to a report filed by the Tufts University Police Department (TUPD), the dispute erupted on June 22 while Viglione was preparing music for his show, Joe Vig's Pop Explosion. Both Viglione and June Weintraub, another WMFO community DJ, wished to use the same recording studio, which Viglione claims to have reserved consistent with WMFO procedures. Alleging that the quarrel made her feel uncomfortable, Weintraub phoned the TUPD and accused Viglione of "verbally assaulting" her. As a result of the conflict, Dupuy, Novey, and Dougan decided to suspend both DJs from their shows for the rest the summer. While Viglione is still denied access to the station, Dupuy acknowledged that Weintraub is still a member of WMFO, although she does not currently host a show. The case has attracted the attention of national media outlets, and Viglione received a letter from the television program Judge Judy requesting that he and Dougan mediate their dispute on television. CourtTV has also expressed interest in the case.

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News

Little Nicky' gives big jokes, little laughs

August 31

Billy Madison

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News

Student protests effective and essential

August 31

To the Editor: I am the mother of one of the 20 Bendetson sit-in protestors. After reading several of the Viewpoints lately, I am really fed up. Some of the students deliberately misconstrue and misrepresent the sitters' efforts, while others, instead of applauding their courage to stand up for their beliefs, look down on activism altogether. For example, Messrs. Jon Halpert and Adam Ross envision a quiet, placid student body in their "Open Letter" ("An open letter to the Tufts Community," 12/5). They decry those who would rock the boat, those who "use the dirty politics of activism to foist their views on an unsuspecting student body" Excuse me, does "unsuspecting" mean the same as clueless? "Don't protest, don't chant, don't break the law, that is how tyranny is made." Well, it is a good thing our forefathers didn't listen to that advice, or they never would have done such an unseemly act as dump tea in the Boston Harbor and fight for our independence. Without protest, there would still be segregated water fountains down south and anti- Jewish housing policies. Yet, Halpert and Ross's idiotic article pales next to my all-time favorite by Jon Japha, to which I bestowed the Ultimate Arrogance and Condescension Award. In "We're not gonna protest" (12/7), Japha rates campus activism on his rudeness Richter scale. He asks that protestors "tone down the message." Maybe at his country club, quiet, genteel protests are 'de rigeur', but in the real world they aren't too effective. He complains that the TSAD 20 locked themselves in Bendetson Hall and were appallingly rude, when in fact they sought an open and peaceful sit-in. It was the police who locked the students in. Japha on the one hand feels that protests should be meek and mild, yet then puts down the sit-in by comparing it to the protests of the '60s. He feels that, since thousands of people weren't sitting in Bendetson, it was meaningless. As a member of the generation of "hippie parents," I know that many sizes and types of protests and civil disobedience have been very effective. One person alone did an act of protest that stands out in my mind and changed history. I am sure that if Rosa Parks would have consulted with Miss Manners before she refused to move to the back of the bus, her great grandchildren would still be sitting back there.Harriet Lavin

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News

Jumbos shut out Engineers to keep undefeated record safe

August 31

The men's soccer team won its second game of the year on Tuesday at MIT, topping the Engineers by a 3-0 margin. The convincing victory brings the Jumbos to 2-0-1 heading into Saturday's home opener against the Colby White Mules.

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Times' legal affairs correspondent, Tufts alum discusses election with students

August 31

Last Thursday marked a homecoming of sorts for Stephen Labaton (LA '83), legal affairs correspondent for The New York Times. An editor of The Observer during his undergraduate days, Labaton returned to campus for the third time in four years to share his political expertise with students in a talk entitled "Election 2000: A View from the New York Times." He also guest lectured in two classes. Stating that the job of a news organization is to travel the country and gauge public opinion about pressing issues, Labaton's lecture took on a question and answer format rather than that of a formal lecture. He responded to various election-related questions posed by the crowd of 30 students, faculty members, and staff. One of his main themes was the surprising inaccuracy of political pundits' predictions surrounding the 2000 campaign, though he also addressed the unanticipated legal aspects of the ongoing vote count. "Gore was supposed to be invincible, he was supposed to trounce Bush," Labaton said. "The last thing that anyone wanted was the involvement of the courts - but they've proven to be the most responsible parties in this whole situation." Analysts also predicted that Reform Party candidate Pat Buchanan would pose a major threat to Republican candidate George W. Bush during the primaries. However, ballot returns indicated that the former GOP stalwart had almost no impact on the election's outcome. Green Party candidate Ralph Nader, although largely ignored during the primary season, did succeed in attracting a significant portion of the Democratic vote in key regions. In light of the fact that his visit to Tufts was originally scheduled to take place before Election Day, Labaton joked that he preferred giving the talk after being able to see the outcome of the presidential campaign. "This has proven that journalists are much better writing about what's happened in the past than pundits are [at] predicting what will happen in the future," he quipped. After highlighting the areas where analysts had been proven wrong, Labaton went on to say that analysts had correctly anticipated that the election would illustrate a deep national divide - a populace more concerned about character than about issues. "Battles were so fierce because there was so little to fight about, [a reason for the] regional and geographical divide," he said. "Since there were no hotly contested issues, [the election] is about the man. It was the style of the candidates in the debates rather than substance." "Before this year, when else did you see presidential contenders on Letterman and Leno...? More than ever before, candidates are being marketed as products, as packages." Regarding the Times' coverage of the campaign, several attendees inquired about their perceptions of uncritical reporting of Governor Bush's personal life, a history of drug and alcohol abuse. Also criticized was the comparably little coverage of Bush's 1976 DUI charge. Labaton explained that most of the country assumed that Bush had had a wild past and regarded this as less important than his present character. Similarly, he said that his news organization does not aim to run sensationalist, damaging stories, particularly those that surface very close to the date of the election. Labaton claimed that he received damaging rumors about the candidate on a daily basis during the campaign but disregarded them as unsubstantiated and not newsworthy. Regarding television networks' election night coverage, Labaton spoke about the Voter News Service (VNS), a polling service serving the bulk of TV, radio, newspapers, and magazines. According to Labaton, despite the media's dependence on VNS's exit polls in predicting election outcomes, these statistics have proven notoriously unreliable in several states, including Florida. Given the embarrassment experienced by networks after they recalled projections in various states, as well as the outcome of the election as a whole, one student asked if this was the end of the media's heavy dependence on VNS. According to Labaton, whose own organization printed 100,000 papers prematurely declaring Bush the winner, those serviced by VNS are reviewing its methods and data but will continue their usage of the polling service in the future. A Times reporter since 1987 after his graduation from Duke law school, the Tufts alumnus has worked out of the paper's Washington, D.C. bureau for the past ten years.

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News

The beauty of a bubbie

August 31

The general sentiment on campus the past few days can be best described as a blend of "I slept through physics!," "I have three papers to write this week!," and "How many days until winter break?" Needless to say, stress levels are high, patience is dwindling, and most of us are in need of a break - preferably something fun, cheap, and local. If the thought sounds appealing to you - and it should - then the Hillel Theater Troupe's production of Crossing Delancey is just what you need. Written by Susan Sandler, Crossing Delancey is a humorous look at the generation gap between Izzy, a young woman growing up in New York City, and her traditional Jewish "bubbie" who lives on the Upper East Side along the East River. Bubbie, concerned that her granddaughter has still not found a husband, takes the liberty of hiring her friend Hannah, the marriage broker, to find her a suitable man. Izzy, however, is infatuated with novelist Tyler Moss, and not the least bit interested in being fixed up by a marriage broker - how archaic and unromantic! Nonetheless, she consents to meet Sam, a pickle man - the perfect husband, Hannah insists. Despite an initially awkward introduction and Izzy's apparent apathy, Sam falls for her, and waits patiently while Izzy explores her prospects with Moss and, eventually, puts on a new hat. "Put on a new hat, become a new person," Sam explains. Despite a cast with little or no previous acting experience at Tufts, the five actors in Crossing Delancey are fabulously funny and entirely endearing. Freshman Lea Jacobs plays Bubbie - the epitome of the Jewish grandmother in every way possible. She is melodramatic and worrisome, and feeds her guests blintzes incessantly. Freshman Lauren Phillips plays the meddlesome marriage Broker, Hannah. The endlessly patient and considerate Sam is played by senior Josh Weingram. Allison Krieger, also a senior, plays Izzy, the object of Sam's desire trying to find the middle ground between her cultural heritage and her own modern-day ways. The self-interested and egomaniacal Tyler Moss - truly an eclectic presence on stage in the midst of Bubbie's fretting and Hannah's nosing around - is played by sophomore Evan Weinberg. This play is so much more than funny - it is also fabulously put together, thanks to director David Kraemer. Now a junior, Crossing Delancey marks Kraemer's third directorial endeavor at Tufts. He was the assistant director for Pen, Paint and Pretzel's production of Rumors last year and directed Torn Ticket II's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory - and his experience shows. Not only do the actors as a whole have an impressive and delightful stage presence, but there is a cohesiveness to the production that can only be achieved under the watchful eye of an experienced director. Crossing Delancey is two hours of love and laughter that make it more than worth it to stop by Hillel this weekend. It's just enough fun to take your mind off all your end-of-semester blues, yet still revitalize you for all those upcoming finals and - God forbid - even a few all-nighters. So go ahead, you deserve a break and a laugh, and Hillel Theater Troupe's Crossing Delancey is the only way to do it right.

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News

How much per pound of 'England'?

August 31

Before it became synonymous with insipid 1980s synth-pop music, Genesis was one of the best English rock bands of the '70s. Six years after Genesis' formation, the band - comprised of Peter Gabriel on vocals, Steve Hackett on guitar, Michael Rutherford on bass, Tony Banks on keyboards, and Phil Collins on drums - reached its creative peak with its fifth album, 1973's Selling England By The Pound. On Selling England, Genesis' trademark mix of classical music, English folk, jazz, and rock is seamlessly blended with Gabriel's elaborate, theatrical lyrics. Alternating between long compositions and shorter songs, Selling England is a well-paced album whose songs range from witty pop ("I Know What I Like") to poignant ballads ("More Fool Me") and breathtaking epics ("The Cinema Show"). "Dancing With The Moonlit Knight," the first track, sets the tone for the rest of the album. Addressing social decline in 1970's England, the song begins with a slow, mournful vocal sung by Gabriel that is quietly accompanied by the rest of the band. The song continues to build until it climaxes with a fast-paced, powerful instrumental section accentuated by Collins' virtuoso drumming, Rutherford's disciplined bass work, Bank's symphonic organ tones, and Hackett's intense guitar solos. Few bands can portray such extremes in dynamics in a convincing manner. However, Genesis handles the complex changes masterfully within the epic song. The album continues with "I Know What I Like," a humorous pop song that tells the story of a daft lawnmower. With witty lyrics and a sublime melody, the song perfectly captures the mood of the album's cover painting.Selling England's next song, "Firth Of Fifth," displays the band's strong classical influences. Opening with a baroque-styled piano solo, the song features excellent ensemble interplay throughout its many sections. It also features an aching, melancholy solo from Hackett. Arguably the musician's greatest solo, it makes one realize that Hackett is one of rock's most underrated guitarists. "More Fool Me," the album's fourth track, is a stripped-down, intimate ballad whose vocals are only accompanied by a 12-string guitar. The first song to prominently feature Phil Collins singing lead vocals, "More Fool Me" foreshadows the band's later, simpler songs. The album's longest track, "The Battle Of Epping Forest," is a convoluted tale about two rival gangs fighting for East-End protection rights in London. Throughout the song, Gabriel is the star of the show as he describes the scene with an absurdist British humor reminiscent of the Beatles' "I Am The Walrus." He sings, "Along the Forest Road, there's hundreds of cars/luxury cars/Each has got its load of convertible bars, cutlery cars/superscars!" "After The Ordeal" serves as a kind of instrumental postlude to Gabriel's theatrical story. Though a short piece, it displays the band's penchant for mixing British folk instrumentation with the power of rock music. Ending the album is the moving "Cinema Show," whose lyrics are based on the words to T.S. Elliot's famous poem, "The Wasteland." One of the greatest songs the band has ever recorded, "The Cinema Show" contains all the best traits of Genesis in the 1970s: lush melodies, tight ensemble playing, beautiful solos, sophisticated lyrics, and excellent juxtaposition of dynamics. The song begins quietly with a delicate 12-string guitar pattern and Peter Gabriel's plaintive vocals. It eventually develops into a driving instrumental section, similar to that of "Dancing With The Moonlit Knight." Here, the band demonstrates its mastery of structured ensemble-oriented solos as Banks leads the band through a synthesizer solo that culminates in "Aisle Of Plenty," a reprise of the main theme of "Dancing With the Moonlit Knight." On Selling England By The Pound, Genesis reached an artistic peak equaled by few other rock bands. The album is a groundbreaking example of how rock can transcend stylistic boundaries. As such, Selling England remains a classic to this day and should be a vital part of any rock fan's music collection. Forget what you heard in American Psycho. Without question, Selling England by the Pound is Genesis' masterpiece.

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News

Full, warm bellies at 'Torch'

August 31

Beacon Hill keeps getting better and better. A few blocks past The Paramount and Figs lies a hidden surprise - modern, French fusion cuisine. Elegantly modest, the only clue that a restaurant hides nestled among the storefronts - Newbury-esque style - is its royal blue oval sign engraved with gold. "Torch." Upon entering a simple foyer, we were warmly welcomed by one of the restaurant's proprietors, Evan Deluty. Passing through a hexagonal archway, Deluty led us to a small, main dining room. What struck us was the interior decoration - linear, modern, and minimalist. White, cylindrical candles alternating with bottles of red wine top a single shelf that continued around the entire room. Long, horizontal mirrors line the rich, maroon walls while copper plates complete the lower half. The flickering candles, reflected by the copper wall, create an illusion of being surrounded by fire in the dimly lit room. The intensity of the window drapes - in red, yellow, and blue - accentuate the restaurant's simple and classic decor. The waiters' crisp, black shirts complemented the modern atmosphere of the restaurant. Unlike having a breadbasket on the table, the "breadman" doled out identical slices of French peasant bread from his large, wooden basket, as he floated between the candlelit tables. A small dish of extra-virgin olive oil, spiked with red pepper flakes and sea salt, accompanied the fresh bread. Although there were no specials, Torch's menu reflected autumnal produce and hearty game, as seen in some of the dishes such as "Chestnut Soup with Bacon and Chive" ($9) and "Long Island Duck Breast with Garlic Spinach, Pomme Rosti, and Aged Sherry Reduction" ($24). Even if you are adverse to raw fish, the restaurant's signature appetizer, "Salmon Tartar with Japanese Rice, Wasabi, and Soy Reduction," ($10) will cause you to reconsider. The three people that decided to share this dish were utterly dismayed to discover that only two tablespoons of delicate, finely chopped salmon rested above warm, almost creamy, sticky rice. A circle of wasabi and soy sauce reduction was swirled around its perimeter. Another delicious seafood-inspired dish was the "Roasted Halibut with Exotic Mushrooms, Fingerling Potato, and Cepe Vinaigrette" ($26). This entree featured a substantial Halibut fillet, lightly browned and flaky, lying on a bed of "exotic" mushrooms. For those who don't like fungi, be reassured that these were succulent, and immersed in a sauce, slightly tinted with vinaigrette. The fingerling potatoes provided a nice complement to the meaty mushrooms. The slices of zucchini were overcooked. The "Roasted Half Chicken with Pearl Onions, Garlic Mash, and Chicken Jus" ($19), however, was perfectly cooked. Its tender, moist meat and crisp skin was lightly flavored and suspended above an island of garlicky and buttery mashed potatoes. Huge pearl onions were scattered throughout. Do not let this dish's seemingly ordinary content fool you - it's incredible. Along the same lines, while the "Sardinian Couscous with Ginger, Carrot, and Garlic" ($17) appeared innocuous, its bright and colorful appearance matched its lively taste. This slightly salty dish was a perfect example of "modern French fusion" due to its distinct Asian influence, as seen in the use of ginger. The yellow couscous resembled mini disk-shaped pasta as opposed to the traditional North African couscous. Flaked by carrots, scallions, and asparagus tips, it was definitely easy to finish. The restaurant's signature entree, "Hanger Steak with Potato Puree and Truffle Vinaigrette" ($26), was characteristically French. Cooked medium and bathed in a heavy, brown and salty sauce, the meat was succulent, juicy and served atop a fluffy pillow of creamed potatoes. This dish was a polar opposite to the couscous - richly brown and lacking in any colorful accompaniments. Dessert? Bien sur! We managed to joyously snag the last dessert special of the night - "Pecan Tart with Vanilla Ice Cream" ($7). An individual tart arrived, its light and flaky crust surrounding whole pecans and a sweetened filling. A small dollop of creamy, vanilla ice cream, with the distinct taste of vanilla bean, tasted homemade. Its refreshing coolness perfectly balanced the warmth of the tart. That same delicate, fluted crust appeared in both the "Chocolate Mousse Tart with Vanilla Ice Cream" ($7) and the "Mixed Berry Tart with Bourbon Vanilla Bean" ($7). The chocolate mousse was light and fluffy with just the right amount of chocolate. It was the equivalent to the hanger steak entree in that both were delicious, but not very memorable nor original. The Mixed Berry Tart, however, was both aesthetically unique and delectable. Blueberries and strawberries were nestled in a pale yellow, vanilla-flavored custard. A moat of strawberry juice completed this dessert. Torch offers an extensive array of champagnes, white wines, and red wines. Our waiter's suggestion of the 1989 Chateau Simard Saint-Emilion ($58) paired perfectly with the meal. This fruity Merlot subtly enhanced the delicate spices and flavors of the various dishes. Torch is ideal for a special occasion - birthdays, graduation, dates, and parent-milking sessions. Remember to dress chic, and gentlemen, - don't forget to wear a jacket. Prepare yourselves for a warm, exceptional night at Torch in wintry Boston.

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News

Poets snap to the beat at 'Onyx' reading

August 31

On a wet Thursday evening, poets and poetry aficionados alike gathered at the International House for Onyx's first poetry reading of the year. The rain moved the poetry reading from the Tisch library rooftop to the house, where lava lamps replaced a starlit sky, hot cocoa was served, and guitar playing added to the already cozy ambiance. The International House's common room became the intimate and energetic thinking ground for both the poets and audience, drawing intellectual and emotional responses. Ajahne Santa Anna and Jamila Moore, both sophomores and editors of Onyx, a campus publication showcasing black-centered poetry and prose, opened the night by welcoming everyone to the reading and inviting anyone who wished to read to sign up on the open mic list. Onyx publishes twice a semester and often holds a poetry slam after each publication. The poets read to an audience of about 60, who listened intently to the poems and one short story. These literary works touched on a variety of topics such as identity, love, music, and nature. They also included allusions to famous rappers, current and historical events, New York City, and the WNBA. Some poems were about the art of poetry itself, such as "Who's A Poet" written by junior Alwin Jones. Descriptions such as "a poet is a conductor in front of an ensemble" provided several answers to the title question. Jones then flowed into a second poem, demanding the attention of his audience by asking them, "Who is your God?" He referenced to the New York City shooting of Amadou Diallo by chillingly counting to 41 - symbolizing the number of shots fired at the victim. Not all of the poems were as solemn as Jones', however. Connell Cloyd's poem, entitled "Tighty Whities," bluntly and honestly unfolded the issue of Cloyd's underwear. In the poem, Cloyd's drawers took on a personality of their own and spoke to him. Cloyd received a big laugh from the audience when he read the last line, in which his underwear exclaimed, "Connell, you got the balls to do anything!" Many of the poems were punctuated by an infectious beat, encouraging the audience to tap their feet and nod their heads along to the rhythm. Freshman Chinua Thelwell's two poems, "French Fried Yam With Soy Sauce" and "Flat Line Last Night," carried a lyrical rhythm; the latter explored serious issues in music, such as "bringing cultures together in hip hop." The poets connected with the audience by describing images and emotions, settings and moods, and familiar problems and concerns. These descriptions reflected the poets' personalities, memories, and beliefs, eliciting vocal responses from the audience, who would throw in an occasional supportive whoop, "word," or "you tell 'em!" Freshman Candace Gomez received a strong response for her provocative poem, "Emancipation of Jazz." She described "getting naked on the inside," "putting feelings on the line" (referring to the clothes line), and "lying in naked in the grass with insecurities." During her reading, the guitar player, freshman Alex Madva, emphasized her seductive lines with the strumming of his guitar. Being clothed, she feels hidden - she invited the audience at the end of her poem to, "get naked with me." Poetry, short stories, and artwork can be submitted to Onyx from now until Oct. 23 for the December issue.

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News

Off his rocket

August 31

"I'm not the man they think I am at home. Oh no, no, no, I'm a rocket man. Rocket man, burning out his fuse up here alone." - Sir Elton John. The legendary singer may not have had the legendary pitcher in mind when he wrote "Rocket Man," but the lyrics are applicable now. No one is quite sure who Roger "the Rocket" Clemens is, or what he's thinking as this postseason goes on. All we know is that he's pitched two of the greatest games of his life in his last two starts, but has burned his fuse, so to speak. Most know the story of how Clemens hit Piazza in the head in a July interleague game. No one is really sure what Clemens' intentions were at the time. To me, Clemens was throwing at Piazza with the intent to hit him. I would like to believe that no professional would throw at another's head and attempt to end his career, so I'll hope that the ball slipped when Clemens threw it, but who knows - Piazza had hit a grand slam off of Clemens earlier in the season. So, in the first inning of Game Two, Clemens had struck out the first two batters of the game before enticing Piazza to foul off a pitch and break his bat. Part of the shattered bat bounded toward the Rocket Man, who picked it up and threw the bat aggressively in the direction of the Mets' catcher. "Aggressively" is a carefully selected term. It appeared that Clemens was miffed that the bat rolled out towards him, and it appeared that he took out that anger on the splintered lumber. The bat was never in danger of hitting Piazza, but the violent move confused Piazza, the crowd on hand, and the rest of the baseball world. In press conferences following the game, Piazza said that he was bewildered by Clemens' actions. Yankee skipper Joe Torre was indignant, asking reporters why Clemens would have tried to get himself kicked out of Game Two in the second inning. Well, I think that's the question everyone wanted to know. If a pitcher of less stature but the same history (beaning Piazza) threw a bat at him, don't you think he would have been ejected? Probably, which raises the question, what the hell was Clemens thinking? Ask the source. Clemens first claimed he thought it was the ball, which is odd, because not only are there very few similarities between a baseball and a splintered piece of wood, but why would Clemens toss the ball towards the bat boy? But right after Clemens said he thought it was the ball he had picked up, he claimed that he was just throwing the bat towards the dugout. If you buy this, you have to assume that Clemens thought the bat had to get to the dugout in a hurry because he threw it like Jorge Posada had just called for the ol' heater. I'm not trying to get Oliver Stone on you, but Clemens' explanation of the event doesn't satisfy me. His other excuse was that he was intense, which is fine, but everyone in a World Series game is intense, and not everyone throws sharp objects at rivals. Clemens has been handed a $50,000 fine and, in my opinion, is lucky to have avoided a suspension, for two reasons. One, Frank Robinson, the man in charge of disciplinary action in the Major Leagues, has been very willing to suspend people this season, and second, Clemens' act, to put it as mildly as possible, was questionable. A batter getting hit in the head is as scary a moment as you'll see in baseball. It's something that Piazza won't ever forget, but for Clemens to seemingly mock the rivalry by throwing a dangerous object in Piazza's direction is inexcusable. So the whole thing then boils down to question marks. We don't know why Clemens did what he did, or what he was thinking. We don't know if he tried to hit Piazza in the head earlier in the year, or if he meant to at all. But the more you look at Clemens in the postseason, the more question marks you come up with. In the infamous Bill Buckner game in 1986, Clemens had started the affair but was replaced in the seventh inning. The Red Sox manager at the time, John McNamara, claimed that Clemens asked out of the game because of a blister. Clemens was angry with McNamara for making such a comment. Another question mark. In the 1990 ALCS, which the Oakland A's won over the Red Sox, Clemens was thrown out of a game for arguing balls and strikes. Another blemish on an already dirty playoff record. Clemens is one of the greatest pitchers of all time in the regular season, but it seems like every time he steps on the mound in a big game, no one is sure if he's going to throw a no-hitter, get in a fight, or get thrown out of a game - or all three. Roger is intense, and that's a part of his game that helps him, but Clemens can never be regarded as one of the greatest pitchers ever, because to fit into that category, you have to be able to take the ball in Game Seven. The way Clemens' psyche seems to be right now, I don't know if the Rocket Man deserves the ball.

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News

Common Sense Decision

August 31

Today, the American public will face a daunting decision - a decision that will shape the face of our country for years to come. This presidential showdown between Al Gore and George W. Bush will prove to be the closest election since Kennedy/Nixon, but with Nader thrown in for fun. The differences between the three candidates are very clear, but I feel that this Viewpoint needs to expand beyond policy and into the realm of common sense. Gore is a seasoned leader. He has led and represented the people of this country in a progressive manner for 24 years. Gore is dedicated to preserving and improving the environment, making advanced technology accessible and beneficial to all Americans. He believes that every woman should have the choice and the right to do what she wants with her body. This makes him the logical choice for president. The rest of the world looks to the United States as an international leader. Over the course of 24 years in serving the American public, Gore has developed the foreign policy skills necessary to represent the United States on the international stage. "Dubbya" Bush, on the other hand, is not who or what we want representing our interests to the world. As a born and bred Texan, I have had first hand experience in what Bush cannot do for America. When Bush says that he wants to do for American education what he has done for Texas education, I cringe. The curriculum he has established is geared toward passing the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) test. Now, instead of teaching a broad range of subjects in all grades, students learn how to pass the TAAS test year after year. Because of this brilliant little strategy of his, Texas students are now ill prepared for life outside of Texas public education. Do we want this to happen to all of America? I think not. But I digress. The downside of Bush in the White House goes beyond his hair-brained ideas in education and obvious lack of eloquence, more accurately, lack of a proper mastery of the English language. Bush just does not have the experience to lead this nation. Six years in the Capitol Building in Austin produced little more than a law enabling people to carry concealed hand guns and a ranking of dead last in air quality in the nation (granted, this wasn't solely Bush's doing, but he was instrumental in both). If this is not convincing enough, let's do a thought experiment: Can you imagine Bush trying to negotiate peace with Ehud Barak and Yasser Arafat at Camp David? Shudder. I could go on and on about Bush, but people are probably pretty informed about him. Ralph Nader is the red herring in this election. To be honest, I am not too familiar with many of his actual plans for America, because every time I see him on television he is bashing Gore. However, I do know he is a very liberal man running on a platform of idealism. I respect the man for trying to break the dreaded two-party rule, but I think his efforts are wasted with a presidential campaign. If he were to run for Senate, let's say in Oregon, he could probably win fairly easily. As a senator, he could accomplish much more of his agenda and garner support for a later attempt at the presidency. An attempt at the presidency this year, at its most successful, will only result in getting Bush elected. Nader is currently polling at three percent. It takes quite a bit of optimism even from Green party members to envision Nader taking the White House this year. Assuming that Nader voters are largely would-be Gore voters, then a vote for Nader is a vote to keep Gore out of the White House. Likewise, a vote for Nader is a vote that, while not exactly for Bush, makes it that much easier to Bush to be elected. While Nader's plans may sound good, even great, maybe fabulous, try to think realistically. What is the likelihood that Congress is going to pass a $10 minimum wage anytime in the near future? What would it do to our economy to change things so drastically? How would a Green Party president with no support in Congress pass any new legislation? Nader wants to drastically reduce the amount of money going to the military each year. Sounds good... but how? And is America really ready for such changes? There is very little that is tangible or practical in the Nader platform. Just read the official Nader website and try to figure out exactly what Nader would do if he were president, could realistically do as president, and whether he even has a shot at becoming president. I urge you to choose the steady, proven leadership of Al Gore to make necessary improvements in education and healthcare while reserving our economic prosperity through paying off the national debt. When you think about this election logically and pragmatically, Gore is the obvious choice for president. He has the experience and progressive attitude to move America steadily in the right direction.Jeff Blumberg is a sophomore majoring in Chemical Engineering. He is the Gore Campaign Liaison for the Tufts Democrats.

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News

Everyone loves scratchy female vocals

August 31

You may not recognize her name, but as track one of Water to Drink begins to play and Victoria Williams whines out the first verse, she may sound strangely familiar. With just a minute more listening time, it becomes clear why - her voice is reminiscent of that of the Wicked Witch. Given a few more notes, however, she starts to mellow out a bit, and strong supporting music rises above her words. Williams herself plays the electric guitar, and she is aided by an assortment of eclectic instruments in each song. A plethora of instruments -violins, basses, trumpets, trombones, saxophones, clarinets, cornets, banjoes, accordions, and mandolins, for instance - make periodic appearances to assist the usual piano and drums. The songs will make your feet tap and hips sway, with their provocative combination of jazz, pop, and folk music. Most of the tunes remain fairly upbeat, varying in topics from hat pins to love and longing. Williams deserves credit for her song- writing -she wrote all but a few of the songs on this CD - as well as for attempting to make her voice sound somewhat pleasant. She comes very close to succeeding, and fans of such artists as Alanis Morissette or Macy Gray would probably best appreciate her style. Given time, the ear does become accustomed to the melancholy squeakiness of her voice, and it can even become strangely soothing - at times. For example, Williams does not succeed when she takes a stab at the classic "Young at Heart." Although the background music is beautiful, she simply does not have the smooth voice needed to pull it off. Born in Louisiana in 1959, Williams moved to California to pursue her vocal career. Her first solo album debuted in 1987. Williams' career was well underway by the early '90s, and she was opening for such artists as Neil Young. In 1992, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Fellow artists collaborated to create Sweet Relief: A Tribute to Victoria Williams, with the hope of paying her extensive medical bills. The album was widely successful and raised a great deal of money. It also aided in publicizing Williams' name and the excess profits allowed her to establish the Sweet Relief Fund to help other musicians with medical problems. Since then, she has released several new albums, and was a guest artist at the well-known Lilith Fair. Water to Drink has been paced so that the faster songs play first, followed by slower songs until the final track. The music is much catchier in the faster songs (even big band-esque in some), so the first half of the album comes across much stronger than the second half. In fact, the best way to enjoy this CD might be to put just the first six tracks on repeat. Most interesting, perhaps, is a song that honors Williams' Louisiana heritage. Words such as "lagniappe" (pronounced "lan-ya" by Williams) simply do not come out of the mouths of Bostonians often. This little extra something from Williams is a welcome addition to the album, and the lyrics are well worth listening to. The title track, "Water to Drink," is by far the jazziest and most enjoyable, and could entice just about anyone to get on his or her feet and dance. It seems that Williams' voice has been designed for this song (or, more likely, vice-versa), and she pulls off "dooby-dooby-da" in a way that not many singers could. If there is a climax in the album, this is it. Water to Drink is not an album to rush out and buy, but if you come across it unexpectedly, it might be worth picking up and giving a try. After all, it grows on you, and on a rainy afternoon, it would be ideal music to play as the background to a good book.

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News

Hickory Stew: an eclectic mix of talent and culture

August 31

I couldn't tell that their accents were off. So, the Uilleann pipes and traditional Irish folk songs on display at Brown and Brew last month had me once again convinced that Hickory Stew music was as authentically Irish as a four-leaf clover. Then I met the band. Addie Holland, the jubilant fiddler, calls herself "mostly Irish" and boasts the majority of the Irish genes for the group. The guitarist, Mike Dupuy, is entirely French, and Patrick Murray, the man behind the eclectic pipes - that odd-looking instrument that gives the music its Irish flavor - is Scottish. "If we tried to perform at an Irish pub, we'd be run out of the place," Holland said. None of it matters. Hickory Stew, in its fourth year of existence, is one of Tufts' most unique musical ensembles. Absent are the Top Forty pop or Classic Rock sing-alongs one gets accustomed to hearing from campus bands. With Hickory Stew, the focus is on musicianship, and the result is a skill-level generally found among NEC-Tufts jazz players. Only Hickory Stew adds a most intriguing cultural twist. Now there are three, but when Murray first conceived of the group it included Mark Slezak, (LA, '00) a mandolin player who now lives in Africa. (In case you're wondering, he's not Irish in the least). The band started during Murray and Holland's freshman year. The two were hallmates, and then-sophomore Slezak had been Holland's wilderness leader at freshman orientation. Then came Dupuy, also a freshman at the time, and the Stew's ingredients were in place. Their first gig was an off-campus party. "That was a really good show. We all looked at each other and said 'Damn, we got to play more,'" Murray said. "We've never played for people at Tufts and gotten a bad response." Back at Brown and Brew, the remaining members crowd the small stage. It's not an easy venue for musicians; conversations are held well above a whisper and the din of clanking coffee cups often drowns out Murray when he takes to the penny whistle, a type of recorder. But on Sept. 27, Hickory Stew's first show of the year, plenty of fans managed to ignore the distractions. Some said they actually came to see the band. "At Brown and Brew you have to fight for people's attention," Murray said. "There's always going to be people talking and making noise. But it's still fun, no matter what." "It was great. It sounded pretty well and we got a lot of good compliments," Dupuy said. "We like to play and the fact that people like to listen is almost arbitrary." Dupuy's casual talk is in tune with the band's prevailing attitude. In over three years, they've done only about 15 shows and jam more than they rehearse. The band's mix of traditional Irish and American folk songs sounds alternately perfected and improvisational. Solos are long and sometimes meandering, but mostly hold the beat and baseline. Chemistry from years of playing together is evident. "We rely a lot on group dynamic and energy and not on technical skills," Murray said. Band members say they miss Slezak, who introduced most of the American music and whose rhythmic playing sometimes defined Hickory Stew's sound. But, they're no strangers to change. Last year, Murray left Tufts for San Francisco where he played "semi-professionally" at local pubs and worked in a Uilleann (Gaelic for elbow) pipe shop by day. Murray first picked up the obscure instrument at 18, so San Francisco was a time to hone his rapidly developing, albeit self-taught, pipe playing. A year later, Murray returned to Medford a much-improved musician, with an increased repertoire of Irish folk songs and a Uilleann pipe he made by hand. "Coming back now, I'm good enough, and the pipes are a rare enough instrument so they kinda demand respect," Murray said. And not just on campus. Murray performs Fridays at The Burren, a traditional Irish pub in Davis Square. Although the clientele may be a mixed bag of ethnicities, the owners and regulars are as Irish as they come. And, according to Murray, they're big fans of his work. Dupuy, who studied jazz, and Holland, originally a clarinet player, are more casual about the band's focus. Last year, Slezak pushed for more local folk music, and they went along, producing a CD from a live recording at Oxfam Cafe at the end of last semester. Now, under Murray's influence, each is searching for his/her Irish side. Next up for Hickory Stew is a show at the Crafts House this Friday. It's a familiar destination for the trio; Dupuy and Murray lived there in their sophomore year (they now share an off-campus residence), and in Murray's absence, the other three members played often for enthusiastic fans. "Everyone there really supports us," Dupuy said, crediting the abundant Rolling Rock for some of the crowd's energy. "The Rolling Rock does come into play. The Crafts House is our main practice place, our home turf." "The most fun we've had is always at the Crafts House. People go to see the band," Murray said. Possible performances at the Mountain LOJ have not been ruled out by Dupuy, the group's manager by default. He took charge of the band with Murray in absentia and recently arranged for the Brown and Brew show. At the LOJ, Dupuy said, Hickory Stew provides a musical accompaniment for traditional Irish Contra dancing. It sounds a tad too hip to be true, but evidence in grainy, photo form is on the home-made album cover. "We definitely like doing that and if they asked us, we'd do it again," said Murray, who said his schedule is packed. However, he is always open for opportunities to perform. Looking further into the group's future, members say they are considering extending Hickory Stew's lifespan by a year. Murray - as a result of his West Coast foray - has another year of school, and Dupuy might work in the Boston area. Dupuy expressed humble excitement when talking about the CD and Crafts House show. "I'm not intending to become a rock star with this," he said. But on the brink of concert number two, he won't rule anything out. "I'm really happy with the way things are going."

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News

A multifaceted faith

August 31

During the debate over TCF, a lot of interesting and intelligent points have been made by Tufts students and faculty. However, I think many people have made their comments without first trying to understand the perspectives of the other parties involved. Nowhere has this been more pronounced than in Andrew Gould's Viewpoint, "Clarifying Christianity"(10-24-00). First of all, Mr. Gould misguidedly titles his article, "Clarifying Christianity." Mr. Gould speaks for Christianity no more than I speak for America. Christianity is a word that refers to a wide variety of religious groups and individuals that are divided on a wide variety of issues, homosexuality being one of them. To say, "The Judeo-Christian tradition has ascribed homosexuality to [the category of tendencies that are sinful and should be denied]," or "Christians will always encourage homosexuals to avoid succumbing to their particular temptations," is absolutely wrong. I know Christians and Jews, indeed Christian preachers, who are openly gay and do not deny their sexuality. There are Christian churches that ordain homosexuals. Many say that the Bible proclaims homosexuality to be a sin, but, truly, the argument is ludicrous. There are a couple of sections in the Bible that vaguely refer to homosexuality, and from which it is possible to say that the Bible says homosexuality is a sin. However, there are far more direct commandments in the Bible that are now considered socially obsolete in most Judeo-Christian sects (the treatment of women, for example). So we should be careful when we say, "the Bible says." The most over-riding theme of the New Testament, by far, is that of love and acceptance for everyone, and belief in Jesus. John 3:16 says, "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that everyone who has faith in him may not perish but have eternal life." Notice the word everyone. I don't see any qualification for sexuality. It damages the faith when people use vague and relatively insignificant pieces of scripture to obscure this message. After considering the perspective of all Christians and Jews, Mr. Gould should try to think about the perspective of the gay community. For instance, he says, "To argue on more generally convincing grounds, a homosexual relationship does not naturally result in procreation, and the form of the human body was clearly designed for sex to be between a man and a woman. There is simply no explanation for what role homosexuality is intended to fulfill." If you were homosexual, Mr. Gould, or tried to understand that perspective, you would never say this. What if you were sterile, and could not procreate? I doubt you would then consider your sexuality as "meeting all the criteria for an unintended aspect of fallen nature," even though you would be equally fruitless as a homosexual. Furthermore, the human male body is equally well suited to have sex with a female chimpanzee - and for all I know, they might even be able to procreate. I know of no scripture that forbids it, but I don't think many Christians would condone it. However thoughtless some of Mr. Gould's comments may seem to homosexuals, they are sometimes guilty of the same sins. Sometimes I hear from members of the gay community that Christians, "hate gays." It's true that you used to see protests with people holding up signs like, "God Hates Fags," and Matthew Shepherd's tragic death was an awful reminder that we're not yet past this. But in my experience, the overwhelming majority of Christians who think of homosexuality as a sin don't think that way. One has to understand that Christianity, in most of its permutations, is a missionary faith. Christians believe it's their job to save people, and they really believe they're helping others. They don't hate those with whom they disagree - they just think they're as misguided as those people think them to be. In our liberal college campus bubble, we have a tendency to label anyone with non-PC beliefs as a "bigot." But the issues are much more complicated than that. Understanding everyone's beliefs and where they come from is a crucial step towards solving the problem. To compare the TCF to the KKK is like Mr. Gould's comparison between homosexuality and alcoholism. It is to understand the opposing position, as Mr. Gould says, "exactly wrongly." Protection of the minority opinion is the single most important component of a successful democracy. Gay and lesbian activists should remember that they were not in the majority opinion not too many years ago, and still aren't in the majority opinion in many parts of the country. And it doesn't matter who thinks she or he is "right." No matter how much scientific proof there is to say that homosexuality isn't a choice, there will still be people comparing it to alcoholism. Do you know when the Catholic Church admitted that the sun is the center of the solar system? Or when they acknowledged the theory of evolution? Find out, it may give you an idea of what you're up against. But this is not a situation of right and wrong - this is about understanding and free speech. What if the situation was reversed? What if we were all at Christian Fundamentalist University, and the campus gay and lesbian coalition denied leadership to a person who believed homosexuality is a sin? Do you think that coalition should be de-recognized? Think about it. But also think about what the people around you would say. They're important too. David Eil is a sophomore who has not yet chosen a major.

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News

Ultimate goal is to win

August 31

Although it is only officially recognized as a club sport in the Spring, the men's ultimate frisbee team has not let that stop it from not only playing through the fall, but has remained one of the premier teams in New England. In the two major tournaments last month, the Elephant Men wreaked havoc on the likes of Harvard, Yale, Williams, and Middlebury in an attempt to defend their ranking of 15th in the nation. Most recently, the team competed in Williams' college Purple Valley Championship on Oct. 21, reaching the quarterfinals before losing to powerhouse Cornell. The weekend before, the team looked even stronger, as it emerged on top in the New England College Championship out of a field of 36 teams. "The team looks really strong so far, and we are hoping to make a bid for Nationals," junior John Willner said. "There is also some promise in the freshman class." As spring is the season for the more intense competition, including Nationals, the fall is primarily used as a tune-up period and as a time to incorporate freshmen into the program. Without an official coach during this period, the team is led by its captains - juniors Mike Zalisk and Mike Bright, and seniors Dan Forseter and David Rosenberg. The team practices twice a week for three hours on Fletcher Field and works on a variety of skills. "We get more intense as the year goes on, but for now we are getting new freshmen to learn the game," Forseter said. The beginning of practices are more skills-oriented; learning to throw and cut, then how to play the positions. Then we scrimmage at the end of practice." Also making sporadic appearances at tournaments is regular season coach Jeff Brown, a 1990 Tufts graduate. Aside from teaching, Brown also competes on a club frisbee team called DOG (Death or Glory) which recently won the national championship. "He's fantastic, he gives us a lot of focus. He makes us work hard," Willner said. Brown's experience helped lead the team to a second place finish at Regionals last season and eventually a 15th place finish at Nationals. Losing only to Brown in the New England region, the E-men earned themselves a spot in the national tournament in Boise, Id. in late May. Brown, which eventually emerged as the top team in the nation, will be one of Tufts' most bitter rivals this season as well. Already losing to the Bears once this season, the team will have a chance to avenge the loss this weekend at the Hukahunka Burning Pumpkin Tournament at Brown this weekend. The event may be a bit more laid back than the cutthroat competition experienced in Idaho last spring though. "The best teams in the area will be there, but it will be fun," Forseter said. "People might even be playing in costumes for Halloween."Despite this fact, the team will go into the event with intensity and lofty goals. "Our goal is to win," Forseter said. "We've had a decent team in past years around this time, but after having success last season, and the people coming back this year, every tournament we get to we expect to win.""We can definitely give [Brown] a run this year," Willner said. "They lost two of their best players, who were also two of the best players in the country." One detriment to competing in the fall, though, is the complete lack of funding from the school, meaning that every single cost must come out of the players' pockets. "When we go to any tournament in the Northeast, we pack into our own cars and drive there," Forseter said "Each tournament costs about $200 dollars to enter, plus the hotel, food, and gas all comes out of our own pockets." During the spring season, the team will receive almost $2,000 dollars from the school, which is almost twice what they received last year but still far short of what the team could use. Forseter estimated that he spent between $1,000 and $2,000 out of his own pocket last spring. "All the club sports have been fighting to get money," Forseter said. "It's a good start, but it still falls way short." With such a high time and financial commitment, there must be something which keeps the 40 or so members of the team enthusiastic year round. "The team is very much like a family," Forseter said. "Almost every weekend we are travelling together. We have road trips together every weekend in the spring. A lot of us are friends on and off the field." After such a strong season last year, the E-men will have an incredible amount of pressure on them to continue dominating schools in the region. "I think our goal is to get back to Nationals and do even better," Forseter said. "There are more teams and better teams in our region, it will be hard to stay at the top. We have a good chance to get back, but we have to put it together and do it."Ultimate frisbee is becoming an increasingly popular club sport in colleges nationally, and as it does the level of competition increases. Governed by the UPA (Ultimate Players Association) in Boulder, Co., the sport includes schools of all sizes across the country but plans to remain at a club sport level."At this point there are tons of teams there," Willner said. There is always a certain sentiment to not be a varsity sport, though; we would rather not be under the will of NCAA."

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