Touch This, FCC

NEWSDAY INTERNSHIP

2007-07-27T20:10:00.000-04:00

Since June 11, I have been a "Support Staff" intern for Long Island's Newsday. Rather than going out on assignment and filing stories as a "staff writer" intern, I have been relegated to answering phones and making photocopies in the Melville newsroom.

This, however, has not stopped me from contributing to the paper in any capacity possible.

Nightly, I "proof" the pages before they go to press. I have caught some major mistakes that were overlooked by the copy editors, including a review that was laid out as a news story, a very major mistake.

I have also contributed to the main political blog, Spincycle, and offered my services to the editors every chance I get. Track my posts to the blog here.

I enterprised a story that occurred in my own hamlet of Centereach, which was on the front-page for Monday, July 23. The story was about a woman arrested for allegedly running over and dragging her fiance to his death; he was trying to prevent her from driving home while intoxicated after leaving a block party.

Will update this post as the summer continues, if any new developments at this internship come to pass. Hopefully, I will return for the fall, however this time, it will be for academic credit, and I would definitely be writing.

UPDATE: 8/4: I went into Newsday expecting another day of phones and photocopies Monday 7/30, and it turned out I was there on the wrong day, so I volunteered to chase a story. It was a fatal accident involving an 88-year-old man leaving his church. I filed and it was on the Long Island spread of the next day's paper.

UPDATE: 8/19: It's over and I got one more story in, though just for the web. Alligators were removed from a home in Centerport. Back to school in a few weeks, time for editing the Chronicle and maybe another internship.

OP-ED; GLOBAL WARMING

2007-06-12T19:41:00.000-04:00

Global Warming Should Not be a Political Football

For the last seven years, the President has avoided the global warming debate by denying its existence, then recognizing it but saying humans had nothing to do with it, and now he claims that he wants to solve it. He was better off avoiding it.

He shunned the 1997 Kyoto Accords, and said that if the Chinese don’t have to comply, the United States shouldn’t have to either. In doing this, he drew the ire of the entire international community, let alone legions of climate scientists, environmentalists, and other activists who want the planet to survive the human assault on it.

But now he wants to do something “parallel” to Kyoto. And Bush has angered everyone that had wanted, even pleaded, him to act in the process.

The president is looking to convene meetings with the 10 or 15 highest polluting countries over the next 18 months in order to choose a plan of action for the future. Now that would sound reasonable, but that is what German Chancellor Angela Merkel is already doing when she hosts the Group of 8 summit next week. Why does the president need to repeat someone else’s work? Especially when the other party’s work is so much better—it doesn’t make any sense.

As I said earlier, Bush has angered many in this announcement. Merkel’s minister of the environment, Sigmar Gabriel, called the plan a “Trojan horse.”

German newspapers have said that Bush’s plan torpedoes Merkel’s agenda, which was comprehensive, calling for a 50 percent reduction in emissions by 2050 and a 20 percent increase in efficiency by 2020. The White House rejected such ambition, saying it crossed multiple “red lines.”

Leading climate scientists have said that even these cuts are modest, but that they will offset some of the most catastrophic effects of global warming.

By playing politics with global warming, the administration has flouted international will, scientific analysis and the pleas of the American public. Enough playing around with the Europeans already. It is time to finally see failure on its face and accept the European initiative.

Al Gore may be the American celebrity behind the movement…but he is not the real face of the problem. The tsunami or hurricane that takes out the D.C. area, submerges Long Island and Manhattan, and all but decimates the US east coast is more like it.

The “inconvenient truth” is right here: your time is up, Mr. President. Holding meetings to decide what to do until you leave office is not going to be any more effective than your stalling and grandstanding has been for the last seven years. Stop leaving current problems for your successors and take action now.

Now that you conveniently recognize the problem, maybe you should join the solution. Hard caps on emissions won’t come from the free market: deregulation brought us the wonderful legacy of Enron. They won’t necessarily come from technology, either. Don’t place bets on something you don’t know whether it will pan out.

ALBUM REVIEW; QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE- ERA VULGARIS

2007-06-12T19:38:00.000-04:00

Queens of the Stone Age- Era Vulgaris
4/5
Interscope Records

“My generation’s for sale,” snarls Josh Homme in the fifth record of his project (for lack of a better term) Queens of the Stone Age. “It beats a steady job.” Well, that’s for sure.

Homme treads new ground on this record: we dig even deeper into the nether regions of his mind, where the acid mixes with the pot, mushrooms with the c-c-c-cocaine!!! The psychadelia is everywhere.

He has called it dark and electronic, and apparently “sort of like a construction worker.” We are experiencing a new kind of cool—unabashed ultra-masculinity, but sleazy and dirty enough to bring the girls in too.

The cool manifests itself in the texture and feel of the record. Not only does it want you to be listening to it while in a 1970’s-era muscle car, you have to be chasing someone at 100mph in the Dodge Avenger from “Death Proof,” which itself is homage to “Vanishing Point,” the ultimate car-chase movie.

Robotic guitar riffs are at the skeleton of the record. “Turning On The Screw” gets caught in its own riff, which loops, crescendos, and seems to be skipping for almost two minutes, but that’s your mind being dragged through the mud. “3’s and 7’s” is an inverted Nirvana blast.

Like any Queens album, there are all sorts of special guests, but you’d never know it, since you can’t hear them. Julian Casablancas of The Strokes plays a Casio synth guitar and sings backing vocals on “Sick, Sick, Sick,” but it is impossible to hear him over Homme’s jagged guitar racket.

Interestingly, the title track featuring Trent Reznor was cut from the album, but you can find it anywhere on the Internet, because Homme sent it to everyone on his mailing list with a message encouraging members to “upload it and spray it like time released graffitti (sic) on the websites of places it does not belong."

Where former bassist Nick Oliveri’s presence was sorely lacking on the previous release Lullabies to Paralyze, it is not nearly as apparent here. Yes, the crazed melodic foil to Josh’s cool is gone, but in its place is something truly depraved, just as Oliveri would have wanted.

NEWS; NEW DEAN OF STUDENTS

2007-06-12T19:37:00.000-04:00

President Stuart Rabinowitz announced in a statement May 31 that the University has hired a new dean of students, Peter Libman. He will report to Sandra Johnson, Vice President for Student Affairs.

Libman will be responsible for oversight of the new office of community standards, which has not yet taken shape, but is expected to take over judicial affairs for the University. “We want to broaden the scope of the office, to incorporate tolerance, and a sense of community,” Libman said.

He will also be responsible for the office of residential programs, orientation and new student programs, multicultural and international student programs, commuting student affairs, student leadership and activities, recreation and intramural sports, the wellness center and the interfaith center.

Libman most recently was a participant in the New York City Board of Education Leadership Academy, according to the statement. Prior to his work at the Leadership Academy, he held the senior student affairs position at the School of American Ballet and other positions at Columbia University, Barnard College and Clemson University.

He holds a master of education degree from Clemson University and an S.A.S (advanced certificate program) in educational administration from Baruch College.

Libman sees himself as an advocate for students. “That’s what I’m all about,” he said. “I want to be a friendly face around Hofstra.”

Libman is replacing Gina Crantz, who took a position as Vice President of Student Affairs and dean of students at Albright College. “We are very privileged to have him join the Hofstra community,” Johnson said.

NEWS; 'BIGGER BETTER BOTTLE BILL' (TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY)

2007-06-07T22:09:00.000-04:00

After spearheading the movement for depositing bottles of carbonated beverages 25 years ago, Suffolk County was the location chosen to push for a “Bigger Better Bottle Bill.”

The proposed legislation would enable the public to return bottles of noncarbonated beverages, such as water, tea and sports drinks, for the same five-cent refund given for carbonated bottle deposits. The five cents, which manufacturers currently keep when a bottle is not recycled in a deposit machine, would instead be put into an environmental conservation fund. Opponents say the bill is ineffective, detrimental to business and costly.

Alexander “Pete” Grannis, Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation, in his first official visit to Long Island, joined Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian Foley and other environmental advocates to announce the latest push at Brookhaven Town Hall in a press conference last Wednesday morning, May 23.

Grannis was one of the original sponsors of the Bottle Bill. June 15^th marks the 25^th anniversary of the state’s returnable container deposit law.

“It’s a real tribute to the people and the legislators of Suffolk County, they are more forward-looking than the State but we are quick to follow,” Grannis said. “Even a great law needs a tune-up.”

The bill is currently stuck in the State Legislature, but Grannis wants it to pass before lawmakers go home June 21 for summer vacation. Gov. Eliot Spitzer has endorsed the bill and indicated he would sign it into law upon passage.

“Now it’s time to strengthen and modernize the bottle bill by including new categories of containers—like fruit juices, bottled water and sports drinks—that barely existed in 1982 when it was passed,” Spitzer said in a statement provided by the D.E.C.

Opponents say the bill will increase costs to consumers without any benefits. “The proposal makes the mandate larger but removes its funding,” said Jonathan Pierce, spokesman for New Yorkers for Real Recycling Reform, a group which represents beverage distributors and store owners. The drinks will cost up to 15 cents more than they do now, he said.

By taking the five-cent deposit out of the hands of the distributors and placing it into an environmental protection fund, the state is betting that people will not recycle the bottles, he added. “That is bad public policy.”

According to Grannis, noncarbonated drinks now make up more than 25 percent of the market share of bottled beverages, while they only constituted a “minute” portion of drink sales in 1982. These bottles make up more than 60 percent of the beverage containers cleaned up around the Hudson River, according to a study of the area, he added.

Grannis estimated that there would be up to 3 billion noncarbonated beverage bottles returned each year with the passage of the bill, and unreturned deposits would net the state over $100 million annually, which he said could be used for land acquisition and preservation, estuary maintenance and other environmentally friendly initiatives.

Foley endorsed the bill at the press conference. “There is strong, local bipartisan support for this legislation,” he said. “This is going to be important for our waste management department, because with the passage of this legislation, we [the town] will save, at minimum, $100,000 a year in cost avoidance.”

Many organizations, including some national groups, support the expanded bottle deposit legislation. Over twenty editorial boards, including Newsday, have all endorsed the bill as well.

*A different version focused on the Hofstra community appeared in the Summer issue of The Chronicle.

NEWS; PUBLIC OPPOSES PROPOSED CELL TOWER (PORT TIMES RECORD)

2007-06-07T22:05:00.000-04:00

Nearly 60 residents filled the Comsewogue public library room where the Port Jefferson Station-Terryville Civic Association held its monthly meeting to protest the proposed location of a 90-foot cell tower by T-Mobile.

The cell tower would be located at the corner of Old Town Road and Norwood Avenue, on the property of North Shore Jewish Center. In the immediate vicinity of the location of the proposed tower are two schools, Ward Melville High School and Norwood Elementary School.

Andrew Overton, a representative from T-Mobile, came to the meeting to present the site proposal, which the company was not entirely satisfied with either. “This is the worst possible location for us,” he said, repeatedly. “The only redeeming quality about this location is that it is not a residential use. I can’t imagine a worse site from a zoning perspective and a community perspective.”

It would be used to cover a signal area 1 mile in diameter.

Flaurie Green and other residents wrote a petition letter to the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Center calling for them to oppose the installation of the tower. “A 90-foot cell tower is completely inconsistent with the residential nature of the adjacent Norwood Avenue and immediate surrounding community,” it said.

By the end of the meeting, Green said she had already collected over 400 signatures. She has also sent the letter to the CEO of T-Mobile, Robert Dotson, State Assemblyman Steve Engelbright (D-Setauket), Suffolk County Deputy Presiding Officer Vivian Viloria-Fisher (D-Port Jefferson Station) and Town Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld (D-East Setauket).

The company has not taken any definitive action yet on the matter, Overton added. In order to build the tower, the company must acquire a variance to existing zoning laws, which requires a hearing in front of the Brookhaven Town Zoning Board.

Overton described a lengthy process that involves searching for a location to place the cell antenna. Whenever possible, Overton said, the company looks to collocate with other wireless companies on existing towers or structures. If there is no existing structure, the company looks to locate on industrially or commercially zoned property.

When the company cannot find property on commercially zoned property, it looks for rooftops or poles in residentially zoned areas to place the antenna. In this case, they could not find any existing structure, and are proposing to build a new one.

T-Mobile has not gone to the hearing for this location yet, Overton said. “We need to find a place that is leasable, zoneable and buildable.”

They have driven through the area to look for suitable locations, however. Once they found this location, T-Mobile administered a “crane test.”

A crane test involves the company hanging an antenna on a crane, affixing it at the location desired and testing the strength of the signal, to see if building the tower at that location will successfully cover the signal area.

One resident had pictures of her four sons playing in her backyard, with the crane test visible in the background. “Why aren’t you hiring a team of engineers to find a better way to put this?” she asked. “Find other places.”

Every time a question was asked, residents would add a comment at once, creating a chaotic situation. Civic Association President Lou Antoniello had to shush the crowd multiple times for the discussion to take place. “We need the same passion at a town board meeting—if it ever gets that far.”

Residents were concerned about their health and the health of their children. “I have a 6-year-old daughter and a 3-year old son,” one resident said. “I do not want them near these things.”

Other residents just simply do not want to look at it. “I don’t want this eyesore in my backyard,” one said. “Everyone of us that is here tonight, we shouldn’t let it get to our government officials. We walk, we picket, we have signs, they will know and understand we don’t want this in our backyards.”

T-Mobile has to provide a certain measure of cellular service everywhere in the United States, according to federal law. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires that one be able to call emergency 911 services from any phone service provider anywhere in the US.

The Act also says that residents’ health cannot be a determining factor in the location of a proposed cell tower.

The meeting also allowed for an attorney to present the development of a branch building for All-Pro Siding Company. The ancillary office will be on Industrial Road near a Cablevision building. Also, Dr. Lee Koppelman presented a case to conduct a “hamlet study” on Port Jefferson Station-Terryville to give it direction for any future development.

NEWS; IMPROVEMENTS OF CR97 NICOLLS ROAD (TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY)

2007-06-01T00:32:00.001-04:00

A study of County Road 97, or Nicolls Road, by the Suffolk County Department of Public Works for long-term improvements to the north-south corridor is almost complete, but the Department is looking to make short-term changes in the near future.

The County held an “informational open house” last Wednesday for residents to see the proposed changes and allow for questions to be answered by public works officials on hand.

The short-term improvements are concentrated areas north of the Long Island Expressway, by County Road 16, or Portion Road, the traffic signaled intersection at Horseblock Place, the main entrance of Suffolk County Community College and the South Coleman road intersection.

At Portion Road, the exit ramp from southbound Nicolls to eastbound Portion would be removed. A new left-turn lane would be installed from westbound Portion to southbound Nicolls. Leeds Boulevard would receive a left turn and right turn lanes onto Portion. Leeds would also get a new traffic signal.

The intersection at Horseblock Place would lose its center median and its traffic signal. There would no longer be any left turns whatsoever at the intersection, only right turns. New right-turn lanes and a new acceleration-deceleration lane northbound on Nicolls would be added.

At the entrance to the College, there would be dual left-turn lanes into and out of campus, as well as a new acceleration lane for northbound Nicolls.

South Coleman Road would see major changes as well. A new left-turn lane into the College would be built, as well as the addition of dual right-turn lanes onto campus. Dual left-turn lanes onto southbound Nicolls would be added. Dual left-turn lanes would also be added to southbound Nicolls to turn onto South Coleman.

The short-term improvements, as proposed, would cost $2.2 million and would be completed by 2009. The county would not have to acquire any new property and they would completely fund it, with no federal or state aid.

These proposals came the same day New York Sen. Chuck Schumer (D) called for a Federal Highway Administration safety audit of Nassau and Suffolk County roadways.

Residents living near the proposed road changes were skeptical of how much good they will do. “[The] improvements will make things worse,” said Hector Guzman, who lives at 657 College Road, in Farmingville; his mailbox has been knocked over multiple times by careening cars. “They [the students] will keep traveling on College Road, making even more traffic. The road on Horseblock gets very slippery when it is wet and the drain gets clogged.”

Doris Scanlon lives at 653 College Road, Farmingville, and vehicles hit her house three times, until she had a guardrail put up in front of it five years ago. “This won’t do anything,” she said. “I don’t think it’s going to help me [at all.]”

Other residents were weighing the positives and the negatives. “With the light being eliminated from Horseblock Place, there may be less noise,” Mr. and Mrs. Lysen, from 3 Joseph Court in Farmingville, said. They did not want to give their first names. “But it will [also] create more traffic on Horseblock Road.”

Residents did not like the idea of increased traffic on local roads rather than on Nicolls Road. “I don’t like that they’re going to get rid of the ramp onto Portion Road,” said Anthony Ferrara, who lives on 39 Leeds Boulevard in Farmingville. “They’ll be dumped onto Leeds. There is a blind spot where they want to have [drivers] go. That road is busy as it is.”

Officials at the Department of Public Works disagreed with residents’ complaints. “I think it will help them,” said James Peterman, Assistant to the Chief Engineer. “Right now there are a lot of people in traffic with a short fuse. The purpose of this is to alleviate congestion.”

“When we increase capacity and lower congestion, there will be less accidents, less sideswipes and less rear-end collisions,” William Hillman, the Chief Engineer, added.

ALBUM REVIEW; ARCTIC MONKEYS- FAVORITE WORST NIGHTMARE

2007-05-12T00:56:00.000-04:00

Arctic Monkeys- Favorite Worst Nightmare
4/5
Domino Records

UK indie/post-punk darlings, the Arctic Monkeys open their new record with the statement, “Top marks for not tryin’,” and they immediately cast aside doubts about a bloated sophomore slump. The band who told their fans upon the release of the highest-selling debut in UK history, “Don’t believe the hype,” are at it again: relax the high expectations and enjoy the ride.

The band begins its sophomore release with galloping drums and a driving guitar riff; they never look back. “Brianstorm,” the lead single, has none of the expected elements of an effective pop single. There is no chorus, the soft/loud element is turned inside-out and the lyrics are awkwardly phrased. But that is the Arctic Monkeys’ charm, and it works—just like last time.

This record is much louder, faster and angrier than its predecessor. Gone is the happy-go-lucky toe tapping of “Dancin’ Shoes,” its replacement is the angry wit of “Teddy Picker,” when vocalist Alex Turner asks, “Who wants to be ‘man of the people,’ when there’s people like you?”

Instead of sounding derivative, the band sounds like they have finally come into their own. Some of the riffs on Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not sounded half-baked, not so on here.

The sound is original but still steeped in influence, it is amazing how the band commands so many influences into one band. One can hear anything from the Beatles to the Jam, Oasis to the Libertines, the Clash to the Strokes.

Vocal delivery did not much change from record to record, but it is refined here. Turner moves so quickly, he sounds as if he is rapping over the rock behind him. The disc did not come with lyrics in the liner notes—you are going to have to either figure it out yourself or search the Internet for someone else’s interpretation.

The obligatory slow track splitting the album promises a mandatory track skip once again. “Only Ones You Know” lacks the energy of any other track on the record, and there is no payoff for such a slow song, such as a big ending.

The best tracks start slow and small, but end huge and fast. “Do Me a Favour” features an Americana guitar riff, and speaks about a broken relationship “to heavy to hold.”

“If You Were There, Beware,” begins with a suspenseful two-note guitar riff. The bass kicks in, and you think we’ve got a “Death Proof” style high-speed chase on our hands. But not yet. The midtempo rhythm keeps the listener begging for more, then suddenly they kick into high gear and the amps up to 11.

The chase begins, and just as abruptly, ends. Distorted guitar and vocals are all that is left, or so you think. The villain-muscle car comes back with a snarky riff, and the chase is back, full swing.

The UK press is still fawning over the band’s very existence; NME calls them one of the five best bands ever. Not yet, but if each record shows this much progress, then maybe sometime in the very near future we can make that statement.

NEWS; SUBSTANCE HARMLESS

2007-05-12T00:53:00.000-04:00

Staff in Bernon Hall, the Admissions building, reported a “suspicious substance” found in an envelope mailed to the office last Thursday, May 3. The substance turned out to be harmless, though an investigation was still carried out.

The investigation included both the Village of Hempstead and the Nassau County police forces, who responded with Hazardous Material Teams.

The University sent out a mass e-mail to all University employees, students and faculty concerning the foreign substance and the subsequent investigation. “Police have assured us that there is no danger posed to any other building or space on campus,” the e-mail said. “The incident has been contained within Bernon Hall.”

Public Safety responded to the substance report, according to a University student who works as an ambassador for Admissions, who would only speak on the condition of anonymity. The officers sealed off the building, not allowing anyone inside to leave.

An employee opened the envelope containing the substance, the student said. “No one knew what it was.”

Public safety then evacuated the building. Nassau County police arrived 10 to 15 minutes later, the student said. The county hazmat team dressed and prepared a portable laboratory in the parking lot outside Bernon Hall.

Within 20 minutes, the hazmat team identified the substance as not posing any danger. “As soon as [the hazmat team] knew what it was, they let us go,” the student said.

The hazmat team did not test the substance inside the building, but rather at the portable lab. The student was informed that the substance was in fact mashed up antacids.

Other reports from students that work in the building said the substance was curry powder.

Additional reporting from Julia Matias.

OP-ED; DEBATES SHOULD BE OPEN AND CHAOTIC

2007-05-04T04:36:00.000-04:00

Debating the Debates

The 2008 election season has heated up earlier than any presidential election cycle in recent memory. But you already knew that.

What you may not have known is that the debate season is starting early as well. This past Thursday, the eight Democratic candidates debated at South Carolina State University, a historically black college in Orangeburg South Carolina. Tonight, the ten (ten!) Republican candidates are debating in California, at the Reagan Presidential Library.

The debate Thursday was fast-paced, with no time for meandering beyond the question asked. “NBC Nightly News” anchor Brian Williams moderated the 90-minute debate.

Answers were limited to one minute, with 30-seconds for a rebuttal, if necessary. Some questions were asked that required no answer other than the raise of a hand.

Now, I wholeheartedly believe in the art of political discourse, the importance of more voices at the table and all of that, but there are major problems with these debates, aired on MSNBC.

First, each candidate requires equal time, as well they should. Each voice has equal merit, so each deserves equal time. However, when there are between 8 and 10 candidates all clamoring for equal time within a 90-minute timespan, things can get either chaotic or muffled. One candidate, former Sen. Mike Gravel (Ala.), complained on MSNBC after the debate that he felt he did not have enough time as compared to the other candidates.

Second, the answer window is so small that all the audience gets to hear is a rehashing of talking points. There is no time for the nuance or detail required for a discussion about how to reform health care, for example. This gives a much greater advantage to candidates long on vision but short on details, such as Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.).

Third, the candidates were not allowed to ask each other questions, so there was no real exchange of ideas at all. Isn’t that the point of a debate? Not anymore. Now a debate is a forum and free stage for a candidate to say whatever he/she feels without a challenge.

All of this being said, I still believe these debates are a great thing for the country, for the candidates and for the American people.

But improvements must be made in order to please all involved. All candidates officially declared as candidates still must participate, regardless of the level of support seen in public opinion polls. For the Democrats, Kucinich and Gravel deserve seats as much as Obama and Clinton. For the Republicans, Brownback and Huckabee need the same opportunity as McCain and Giuliani.

All candidates must have at least two minutes to answer a question, but that time can be cut to mere seconds at the moderator’s discretion. Moderators have lost all power in coordinating and conducting debates; it is time to give them back that power. Moderators must ensure that candidates stick to answering the question, but not allowing for a rehashing of prewritten talking points.

The candidates must take questions from the audience, but at the moderator’s discretion. This method works quite well in the presidential debates and reactive questions on topical issues from constituents can really put a candidate’s knowledge of an issue to the test. Pre-submitted questions read by a “representative” of the public comes off as cold and calculated; let the people talk, they are the ones voting, after all.

Candidates must be allowed to challenge and question their respective opponents. If candidates could challenge each other, new and interesting ideas can develop, the American people can see how a candidate reacts under fire, and whether the candidates actually have ideas on how to improve a nation in peril, rather than perfecting 10-second sound bites for the campaign trail.

All candidates from each party should debate weekly on an issue. If the Democrats debated Tuesdays and the Republicans Thursdays, maybe there could be “Issues of the Week” debates. One week could be Iraq, the next health care, the next Social Security, etc. Instead of giving each issue its ten minutes, this extended investigation might lead to more nuanced and specific answers from candidates. The American people might, for once, get to know what these candidates want to do with their votes.

The obvious criticism to this would be that chaos would ensue onstage, but I think that could be a good thing. The more we see our candidates under fire, the better. The more questions the candidates they get asked, the better.

Remember the second law of thermodynamics, which states that the total entropy (chaos) of any system increases over time. Maybe this law should start to apply to our political process as well, because something new can come from the chaos.

NEWS; DEBATE COMMISSION IMPRESSED WITH UNIVERSITY

2007-05-04T04:34:00.000-04:00

Officials from the Committee on Presidential Debates were impressed with their campus visit when they met University and local public officials for the first time Thursday, April 23, as part of a preliminary inspection process to vet applicants for hosting a presidential debate in 2008.

University President Stuart Rabinowitz, Board of Trustees Chairman John D. Miller, Director of Public Safety Ed Bracht and other senior administrators all met with committee executive producer Marty Slutsky, two other debate producers, Tammy Johnston and Rory Davies. Secret Service agents and Nassau County Police Insp. Robert Turk also attended.

Many local elected officials attended the meeting, including Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray, State Sens. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) and Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City).

The commission opened the beginning of the meeting to the press, which allowed President Rabinowitz to thank the commission for coming and for introducing executive producer Slutsky.

Slutsky gave a brief statement: “This is a truly impressive gathering of people. I truly feel and I will convey to the commission my impression that we have the backing of the entire area and all of the officials, which is very important.”

The production teams do not make the decision over who gets to host the debates. They report their findings to the commission, who makes the final decision on which four sites host the debates, three of which are presidential, and the fourth between the vice presidential candidates.

Reporters were not permitted to ask questions during the public part of the meeting. After a break, Rabinowitz and the public officials took questions from the press outside the meeting, which continued behind closed doors.

“This is all about the education of young people,” Rabinowitz said. “They will be involved not just at the actual debate.”

There will be a lot of internships, work, externships and things to do, where students can learn about the political process and the press, he added.

The closed-door meeting moved outside as well, and it included a tour of campus facilities such as the Physical Fitness Center and David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex, which is the proposed site of the actual debate.

There is bipartisan support for the debate to be held at the University, Sen. Skelos said. “I’m hopeful that the selection committee will see that this is a totally appropriate location, especially with the history of Long Island and the birth of the suburbs,” he added.

"We are in the New York media market, so that would be great for coverage overall,” Suozzi said. “Levittown is the first suburban community in the United States and, as a result, suburban politics are getting to be more and more important in presidential politics.”

“It is a long and detailed process,” said Melissa Connolly, Director of University Relations. “They were looking at everything, even in closets. I believe it went well.”

The University is one of nineteen sites that applied to host the debates, and is the only one in New York State to do so. Other applicants include places such as the Metropolitan Exposition Recreation Commission in Portland, Ore., and the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Ark.

NEWS; PROPERTY TAX FREEZE PROPOSED

2007-04-21T01:49:00.000-04:00

MINEOLA, Mar. 29—Nassau County Republican lawmakers have proposed a freeze on property tax assessment increases for the next five years because the 2003 reassessments, and subsequent annual assessments, have caused “sticker shock” for Nassau County residents, according to the legislators.

The proposed legislation calls for County Assessor Harvey Levinson to continue assessing properties, but any increases he finds would not take effect until 2013. Any depreciation in property value, whether by assessment or by sale, would take immediate effect.

The Democratic majority objected to the proposed legislation and they planned to prevent a vote on the proposal by using parliamentary maneuvers.

Nassau was ordered to reassess properties for three years beginning in 2003 due to a court case, settled in 2000, which found that the county’s method for assessing real property was discriminatory. The plaintiff had argued that property in poorer and minority communities were over-assessed.

"Annually reassessing the value of Nassau residents’ homes during a real estate boom is not an accurate reflection of proper proportionate property taxing as envisioned by New York State law,” said Legis. John Ciotti (R-Elmont) in a statement.

Prior to the case, properties were assessed for tax purposes at the 1938 land value, according to minority press secretary Christina Brennan. This led to the over-assessment of some communities in the 1990s, because there was no real definitive community of minorities or the poor on Long Island in 1938, she said.

"Our families are being torn apart because no one can afford to remain here or start a life here due to the exorbitant costs of living on Long Island—and a big part of that is runaway property taxes,” said Legis. Denise Ford (R-Long Beach) in a statement released to the press.

Democrats dispute the motives for the legislation. “It is the most politically motivated, irresponsible, public relations feel-good idea that I have ever heard of in government,” Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) said.

Because the three-year period of the settlement is over, the Republicans wanted to prevent the re-assessments from continuing. This proposal, according to the Republican press office, is the “first of many measures to decode the Nassau County taxing procedure and bring predictability back to our residents’ households.”

Property taxes in Nassau County are calculated by taking the fair market value (as assessed), and multiplying it by an assessment rate, which is currently 1 per cent. Next, that assessed value is taxed at the rates the assorted taxes require.

However, state law requires that an assessed value cannot increase by more than 6 per cent annually, so to circumvent that, Minority Leader Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa) alleged, County Assessor Harvey Levinson has been “manipulating the fractional assessment rates.”

The Democrats are not putting the bill onto the legislative calendar, which is tantamount to killing the bill before it even arrives.

University faculty and staff were divided on the issue. “No, I don’t think a freeze is the thing to do,” said, Executive Secretary of the political science Mary Starke, who is from Bellmore. “History taught us a lesson when County Executive [Tom] Gulotta appeased voters by never addressing taxes under a code from the 1930s.”

“Property taxes are exorbitantly high, second to New Jersey for highest in the country,” said Dr. Leslie D. Feldman, associate professor of political science, who is from Great Neck. “This platform is a good way for Republicans to get back power.”

One professor questioned its happening. “In theory it is a good idea, but is it realistic?” asked Dr. Rosanna Perotti, Associate Professor of political science. “I don’t know.

NEWS; DIPLOMAT SAYS TALK TO IRAN

2007-04-21T01:47:00.000-04:00

The United States must normalize relations with Iran instead of preparing for a possible invasion, said Mansour Farhang, who spoke Wednesday concluding the “International Scene” lecture series presented by the University’s Center for Civic Engagement. He also said that the American-supported Shah had been a major supporter of Iranian nuclear capability prior to his overthrow in 1979.

Mansour Farhang is an Iranian-born author and diplomat. He served as the first ambassador to the United Nations after the Iranian revolution but left in 1981 as a dissident. He currently teaches Middle Eastern politics and international relations at Bennington College, in Vermont.

His lecture focused on relations between the United States and Iran, especially if Iran were to gain the capacity to build a nuclear weapon, which he said that experts believe is to be about 5-7 years away.

Farhang sought to dispel the notion in the United States that the current Iranian administration is nothing but a group of religious fanatics. “I consider the Iranian political leaders, those that are managing the country today, to be rational actors in the Machiavellian sense,” he said. “They are people who calculate and think about their interests, as opposed to being whimsical or fanatical.”

Farhang said the development of weapons is to be more of a deterrent to forces surrounding the country, rather than to use them against Americans or their allies.

Iran had been pursuing the nuclear option since the early 1970’s, according to Farhang. The Shah at the time, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, wanted to ensure Iranian security if the good relations between Iran and the US were to deteriorate.

Revolutionary Iran dissolved the nuclear program soon after its ascendance to power because they did not trust anything done by the Shah and because the new Prime Minister did not trust the science behind it, Farhang said.

However, after the Iran-Iraq war, they saw the necessity in redeveloping the weapons capacity. Rather than the Western aid that they sought last time, Iran received investment and supplies from the East, including Russia, China and Pakistan, Farhang said.

Iran wants functional independence, according to Farhang. Rather than being tied down and surrounded by the American hegemon, Iran wants to be able to assert itself as a major player in the region.\

Four things must happen for relations to normalize between the two countries, according to Farhang.

This includes security guarantees from the United States, saying that the surrounding Americans will not invade the nation. The Americans have a military presence in nearly every country bordering Iran, including Iraq, Afghanistan and Turkey, and the Iranians feel threatened, he said.

Iran wants the sanctions lifted. According to Farhang, the revolution failed in its attempt to provide income equality and freedom for its people. The sanctions have strangled the economy while strengthening the regime, much like Saddam’s Iraq, he said.

If the Iranian economy were to be able to flourish with western investment, this could be beneficial for both countries, Farhang added.

Because of its history in the region, Iran wants respect. The American attempts to isolate the country for the last 28 years have failed, so respect is in order, according to Farhang.

Most importantly to Farhang, any negotiations cannot have any preconditions. Iran has said they listen to the United States, but they will not act because conditions are unfair.

Farhang believes that the American foreign policy elites want to have a détente with Iran, though some still ache for confrontation.

“The nuclear issue has come to symbolize the nature of this estrangement between the two countries,” he said. “But the estrangement is not limited to the nuclear issue.”

The confrontation between the US and Iran has aided the “most reactionary elements of the body politic,” Farhang said. “They use xenophobia, they use the confrontation to suppress dissent and justify their repression of political opponents.”

Both countries have a stake in many issues, according to Farhang. A peaceful Persian Gulf is in Iran’s interest, he said. “Normalization of US-Iranian relations would be a fantastic gift that the Bush administration, or maybe the successor, could give the Iranian democracy.”

OP-ED; IMUS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN FIRED

2007-04-21T01:41:00.000-04:00

The Madness Must Stop

Let me begin by stating that this is not a defense of Don Imus. What he said was both reprehensible and indefensible, but this must be clear: he should not have been fired.

Don Imus got his stripes as a “shock jock” in the 1970s and 1980s, and statements like this were his calling card. His reinvention as a bastion of the establishment brought Imus a newfound credibility from a source he had previously disregarded.

With this newfound credibility came responsibility. Imus interviewed many members of the press, as well as politicians. The interviews were highly substantive and nuanced: some even compared their experiences on Imus to “Q & A” on C-SPAN.

With that being said, a profile on Imus aired on “60 Minutes” in July 1998; Mike Wallace interviewed him. In the piece, Wallace accused his program of being racist, to which Imus responded, “Give me one example of one racist incident.”

Wallace replied: “You told Tom Anderson, the producer, in your car, coming home, that Bernard McGuirk is there to do n----- jokes.” Imus protested and said that he had never used the word himself, but Anderson, who was at the interview, said that Imus had in fact used the word. Imus backed down.

When Bob Herbert of the New York Times indicated to MSNBC that he was going to refer to the piece, “they began acting very weird.” The same day the column ran, April 12, Imus was removed from MSNBC’s broadcast schedule.

As I mentioned earlier, Imus had a long record of misogyny, racism and anti-semitism.

What matters now, however, is what comes next. Since the “establishment” had such a close relationship with the Imus program recently, they have been extremely quiet on the issue.

Frank Rich, also of the New York Times, appears to be the first to attack the future head on. In his column published April 15, he admitted to his own hypocrisy on the issue: he has been a regular guest since the 1990s.

Rich called the slurs “burlesque” but admitted that the slurs didn’t bother him previously; Rich is Jewish, but he saw Imus as an equal opportunity offender. With Imus’ firing, Rich argued that edgy comics, once again, are going to be marginalized. Let us remember the example of Bill Maher, he said.

Rich’s fundamental argument is one held by many journalists, including this columnist: no speech should be censored and more speech leads to better speech.

Immediately following Imus’ firing, discussions are being held over the influence of hip-hop music on today’s youth. Mainstream hip-hop is chock full of examples of misogyny and racism: the word n----- is tossed about regularly, women are either bitches or ho’s and the lyrics portray an image of increasing drug abuse and crime.

Not all of the artists are black, either. For every 50 cent, there is a Bubba Sparxxx with a song like “Miss New Booty.” For every D.M.X., there is an Eminem.

Most important is the audience consuming this dose of hateful music. According to Russell Simmons, President of Def Jam Records, 4 out of 5 hip-hop records are bought by white suburban teens.The white kids are listening to “street” music, because they think it makes them “harder.” They are looking for that edge that their suburban, upper middle-class lifestyle is not providing for them. What they don’t realize is how detrimental it is to their interpersonal development.

The question now becomes: who gets the right to say these words? Why do “artists” get the right to say it but “shock jocks” and the “establishment” cannot? When are the words wrong?]

All of these questions are now being answered in the wake of Imus’ fall, or at the very least, the attempt is there. My resolute belief in free speech calls for a theoretical defense of Imus. He has every right to say what he did, regardless of whether someone agrees with him.

As does Rush Limbaugh when he claimed Michael J. Fox exaggerated his Parkinson’s disease to win votes for a referendum in Missouri. That does not make his speech acceptable; rather it just makes it accessible, even if it isn’t true.

The free market will decide if people will tune into hateful communication, regardless of the medium. If there is a demand for it, a supply will be provided.

But if the country has truly moved on from the problem of racism and sexism, then the public will not tune into it, and it will fall by the wayside. Until this happens, we can assume that the divide has not been closed.

PROFILE; MIKE ANDERSON-MOVERS AND SHAKERS (TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY)

2007-04-06T01:28:00.000-04:00

Careers in technology are the new job frontier, and Mike Anderson knows it. He has worked in the industry for over 20 years and has both designed and taught courses in technology for several colleges and universities.

His work for the Middle Country Central School District School Board as a Trustee and his membership in the Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce, all while running his own business, show his hard work ethic: something he developed growing up in Lindenhurst and in the military.

Mike Anderson grew up in Lindenhurst and graduated from Copiague High School in 1978. After graduating, he volunteered in the Army, serving with the 101^st Airborne Division until 1981. Upon returning to Lindenhurst, he took courses at technical school and became a certified systems engineer with Microsoft.

Anderson became Chief Information Officer for Nextech Information Systems, which involved teaching over 40 trainers at a time at over 8 locations throughout Long Island. This led Anderson to design curricula for and teach courses for Nextech at colleges and universities all over the island, including SUNY Stony Brook, Hofstra University, St. John’s, Briarcliffe College and others.

Nextech closed down in 2001; Anderson proceeded to form his own business, American Professional Services. “It has given me time to give back to the community,” he said. Anderson was a founding member of the Centereach Chamber of Commerce, which, in turn, became the Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce to accommodate nearby Selden and Lake Grove. He was elected president of the Chamber last month.

Anderson has served as Trustee for the School Board since 2004. He was asked to run for the position by the School Board President after serving as a businessperson-advisor for a Budget Advisory Committee for the School District.

His committee assignments include Chairman of the Technology Committee, co-Chair of the Committee for Better Choices and co-Chair of the Budget Planning Committee.

As Chairman of the Technology Committee, Anderson is in charge of acquiring the best technology for the students of the District. “Enrico Crocetti, the Director of Technology, is doing a great job, he’s doing a lot of work with little resources,” he said. “There is very little to improve that is technology-related.”

New York State has cut financial aid to the school district, Anderson said. As such, funding for technology has lessened for the last few years. “We are working with the Legislative Committee to increase state aid to the district so all valued programs can continue in the district,” Anderson said.

Anderson was crucial in securing a $50,000 grant for the schools as co-chair for the Choices Committee. ‘The purpose behind the program is to give the students the knowledge and the opportunity to make better choices,” he said. “It’s not just to make ‘rec’ nights.”

“He got a lot done on the Choices Committee,” said Ron Grinnell, the School Board’s Vice President. Anderson has overseen the nights of recreation, counseling and social work, and the availability of literature to combat violence and drug abuse.

The Budget Planning Committee involves working with the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Roberta Gerold, and Vice Superintendent, Herb Chessler. “He is a very focused board member who always has the student’s best interest in mind,” Gerold said.

The committee is looking at the programs run by the district with the district officers and working with the community to determine the value of each program. The committee is changing the way we look at the budget, from a single-year plan to a multi-year plan,” he said. “[It is] going to take some time to make that transition.”

Anderson’s background in technology has brought success to Centereach’s businesses and education. Though he does not actually write the budget, his insight is monumental in how the town allocates money, be it to attract new members to the Chamber of Commerce or to make the schools better in order to bring more people to live in Centereach.

Since being elected to the School Board, Anderson has joined an institution that values his membership. “Everybody on the board does a good job and he fits right in,” Ron Grinnell said.

The Centereach Civics Association agrees. “He is very knowledgeable and a very good organizer,” said Carol Cavalieri, its 1^st Vice President. “He [Anderson] definitely is a mover and shaker.”

OP-ED; GONZALES MUST GO

2007-03-30T12:55:00.000-04:00

Gonzales Must Go

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales must resign.

His intransigence has led to some of the worst policies of the administration, resulting in damaged credibility both abroad and here at home. Since impeachment seems not to be an option for the “Commander in Chief” (much to the dismay of Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) and most Democrats), the buck must stop at the desk of the Justice Department, which is supposed to be seen as independent of the Executive Branch’s political meddling.

Gonzales has been a sore spot in the administration from the beginning. The author of the infamous “torture memo,” he deserves a lot of the blame for the abuses of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. He advocated the use of waterboarding, stress positions and other means to “break down,” alleged terrorists for intelligence to stop future attacks. The memo also called the Geneva Conventions “quaint and obsolete.” This resulted in both false intelligence and disdain for America throughout the world.

He was an early advocate of the USA Patriot Act, a law that flew through Congress just days after the September 11 attacks. This law has been abused again and again by the FBI, NSA and other government agencies in order to break drug networks, stop bank robbers and other crimes. This was not its intended use.

In fact, according to a report released March 9, 2007, the Justice Department said in an internal audit that it found that the FBI had acted illegally to secretly obtain personal information about US citizens.

Gonzales was appointed by President Bush to replace John Ashcroft as Attorney General on November 10, 2004. He was seen then as a moderate alternative to the radical Ashcroft: Gonzales did not vocally oppose abortion or affirmative action. It was also seen as a move to give Gonzales the credibility necessary to get him a fast track to a seat on the Supreme Court.

With the revelations of the abuse of the Patriot Act and his role in the firing of US Federal attorneys for political reasons, something for which his former chief of staff D. Kyle Sampson had to resign, Gonzales no longer has the credibility he once had.

Gonzales has denied any involvement in the attorney firings, and the administration has publicly come to his defense, despite reports surfacing that they are looking for a replacement.

A story in the Sunday, March 25, 2007 New York Times said that despite Gonzales’ statements to the contrary, he was informed of the firings taking place at least twice, according to emails and other documents released to Congress, which is investigating the scandal.

“They have also fed suspicions by some Democrats that the ousters, from the start, may have been orchestrated by the White House, and most particularly, by Karl Rove, the White House political adviser,” the article said.

Gonzales said in a television interview that he delegated “a task” to his assistant, and never checked on its completion. He said he never saw documents, which was refuted by the emails, which say that he headed a meeting in his office over the firings.

The Justice Department is supposed to be in charge of investigating criminal acts by members of the Executive Branch, or crimes against it. As such, it is expected to keep a certain level of independence from the executive branch’s political work.

Democrats have been pushing to subpoena administration officials, including Gonzales and Rove, to testify publicly about the firings. The White House has strongly resisted this, instead offering private interviews not to be under oath. However, Democrats are not the only ones that want to hear from the officials, so this is not a partisan hack job by Democrats.

This week, on the Sunday morning talk shows, Republican Party leaders in Congress started to join the Democrats in the drumbeat calling for Gonzales to step down. “He [Gonzales] was going to have to have an explanation as to why he said he wasn’t involved in discussions,” said Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Penn.) on Meet the Press. “Now you have these e-mails which appear to contradict that.”

Specter was not the only one speaking on the issue Sunday morning. Sen. Hagel (R- Neb.) said he has credibility problems. “I think he’s going to have some difficulties,” he added.

This scandal surrounding the handling of US attorneys showed how blurry the line has been since the beginning of the Bush presidency. The only way for the Justice Department to ever have any level of credibility again is for Gonzales to step down, and a moderate, nonpartisan appointee to replace him.

NEWS; MANAGING EDITOR OF NY TIMES VISITS UNIVERSITY

2007-03-30T12:53:00.000-04:00

Newspapers will continue to be printed as long as there is a profit in it, according to John Geddes, Managing Editor of the New York Times, who spoke at the University Monday night.

Geddes’ talk on “The Future of the News Industry” focused on how the New York Times is adapting to a new media environment that includes the Internet, blogs, enewspapers, citizen journalists and the decline of newspaper circulation and advertising revenues.

“I don’t really care about newspapers, per se,” he said. “I care deeply about the journalism they finance and deliver.”

Geddes believes that the insiders and reporters need to stop the talk of “the end of days.” “You wouldn’t know it from the last year, but the newspaper is still a pretty lucrative profession,” he said.

What makes this period in journalism unique, Geddes said, is the lack of a viable business model to cope with the new technology. However, the Times, Geddes said, “is defined by our journalism.”

The “problem” of news as a business is not new, according to Geddes. “I don’t think trying to pull us out of the commercial world makes any sense,” he said. “Quality comes at a price that may seem unsustainable, but we have to live in the same world everyone else does.”

We need to be able to report what it is like to be in the crowd, and to be able to say where it is going, he added.

During the lecture, Geddes showed the audience a copy of the New York Times on a tablet PC. The newspaper looks exactly like the print version and it is fully navigable with the click of a button, “It’s the closest thing to reading papers in print,” Geddes said.

There is nothing special about the news industry as a business, according to Geddes. “It’s a product of its environment,” he said. “It exists in constant tension with the commercial interests that support it.”

Geddes did not believe political scandal contributes to the current maelstrom surrounding the news industry. The trial of Lewis “Scooter” Libby, Geddes said, will have no impact on Washington coverage, because there have “long been cycles of pressure” between the press and the government. He said this scandal is no different from the others.

Sponsored by the Zarb School of Business, the School of Communication and the University’s Career center, Geddes has become a part of an increasingly close relationship between the University and the New York Times. Chief legal correspondent Adam Liptak spoke at the University last year.

Following the talk by Geddes, a student panel consisting of business and journalism majors asked him a series of questions on the New York Times’ role in the future of news. When asked about the adaptability of the veterans of the news industry, Geddes said that there has been surprisingly little resistance from them.

Students were supportive of Geddes’ talk. “He defended the Times well,” said John Commerford, a senior broadcast journalism and political science double major. “This is exactly what I expected from him.”

NEWS; SPECIAL ELECTION AT LEGISLATURE

2007-03-30T12:51:00.000-04:00

Democrats retained their majority in the Nassau County Legislature Tuesday by winning a special election in the 11^th Legislative District in a landslide. The election drew an extremely light turnout, with less than 3,500 votes counted after all election districts reported their results Tuesday night.

Wayne Wink, a North Hempstead town councilman, received over four times as many votes as his opposition, Lou Chisari, a Republican lawyer from New Hyde Park. The total count was 2,872 votes for Wink and 599 votes for Chisari.

The seat was vacated after a special election on Feb. 6, when Craig Johnson (D-Port Washington) was elected to the New York State Senate’s 7^th District in a hard-fought election against Maureen O’Connell (R-East Williston), a registered nurse.

Johnson inherited the seat in 2000 when his mother, Barbara, died.

The election allows the Democrats to continue to control the legislative calendar, leadership and committee assignments.

It also continues the one-party control of the Nassau County Executive and Legislative Branches of government.

Wayne Wink is an alum of the University holding a bachelor of arts in political science, according to the biography on his Town Council website. He is an adjunct professor of political science at the University and a practicing attorney.

Republicans did not pursue the election as forcefully as it did the Senate election six weeks ago, citing a Democratic voting history in the district.

The entire legislature is up for reelection in November, so Wink, in order to keep his seat, must win again six months after earning it.

The district includes the Town of North Hempstead and the hamlets of Roslyn, Port Washington, Garden City Park and Sands Point.

NEWS; IRAQ PLENARY SESSION (DAY OF DIALOGUE)

2007-03-22T21:36:00.000-04:00

At the end of a long and grueling “Day of Dialogue,” the main issue of the day played itself out in the Monroe Lecture Center for a plenary session on the War in Iraq. The session was broadcast live on WRHU, so those that were in the listening area or on computers were able to listen to the event.

Titled the “War in Iraq: Where do we go from here?” it was a public forum supposed to focus on the future, but most of the dialogue was spent hashing out problems from the past and today.

On the panel were Carolyn Eisenberg, University Professor of History, Mackenzie Eaglen, Fellow from the Heritage Foundation, Leslie Cagan, a member of United for Peace and Justice and Rob Timmins, a member of the Iraq-Afghanistan Veterans of America. In addition, three veterans joined the panel for the question-and-answer session.

The panelists each delivered a short opening statement and then took questions from the moderators, before the audience received the opportunity to ask questions. Students, faculty and local members of the community all had the chance to ask the panel questions on policy, veterans affairs and other issues.

An attempt was made to take a question from a caller, but technical difficulties prevented it from happening.

Professor Eisenberg opened the discussion, which was moderated by two University Students, both veteran staffers of WRHU. “We all recognize the war is an immense human tragedy,” she said. “It is just a story filled with sorrow for everyone.”

Eaglen defended President Bush’s troop surge policy, though she did qualify her defense. “It was really a band-aid,” she said. “It is a way to buy time for the Iraqi government.”

When pressed on why the White House supports a government it no longer believes in, based on an internal administration memo leaked to the press, she said: “Maliki was elected; that’s who we have to deal with.”

Sharp disagreement and ideological clashes continued throughout the session. War critic Leslie Cagan thought that deception was involved in the sale of the war. “Nobody wanted us to go to war,” she said. “It never should have happened.”

“The problem must be solved as quickly as possible,” she added.

Veterans advocate Rob Timmins said that the soldiers were not conducting missions they were trained to do. “We were not trained to police the population,” he said.

A veteran on the panel agreed with this statement. “We don’t create peace, we create war,” he said.

He also said that both the people and the politicians were exploiting the troops. “We [troops] are used like a political chew toy,” he said.

All three Iraq war veterans echoed his sentiment. “Some of the things people talk about make me sick,” said one vet, who came home from his tour in Iraq to find himself homeless and begging the Veterans Administration for benefits he had earned. “Vets have to fight for the bare minimum of benefits at home.”

Fellow veteran Rob Timmins was not shocked about the vet’s problems. “This is a travesty,” he said. “Unfortunately, the outcry is not loud enough.”

The panelists did not come do a consensus on how to address Iraq’s future. Rather, they continued to assert their own talking points about the past to fit a view of the future. “Military power in and of itself cannot solve all the problems that needs to be solved,” Professor Eisenberg said.

Timmins stuck to requesting help for soldiers: “We need a new GI bill,” he said.

NEWS; WASHINGTON TRIP FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

2007-03-22T21:35:00.000-04:00

WASHINGTON—Mr. Smith took the University to Washington for an extended weekend of politics, tours and briefings. University students and faculty from the Political Science Department met with public officials, alumni and others as part of an annual field trip to Washington, D.C.

The trip takes place over four days and involves meeting with multiple officials involved in government and public policy, as well as interest groups. On Monday night, students met with University alumni and current interns in a conference to explain the University’s “Semester in Washington” program.

“We can say that not a few, in fact many, students were inspired to make a career in Washington based on this trip,” said Dr. Rosanna Perotti, the director of the trip.

According to Dr. Perotti, the annual Washington trip began in the early 1960s, when Howard Ball, a former University Professor and Supreme Court scholar, organized an interview for University students with Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black.

Professor Emeritus Herbert Rosenbaum continued organizing the trip every year, and in doing so, inspired students such as alum Phil Schiliro, who has worked as a staffer for Congressman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) for the last twenty-five years.

Professor Rosenbaum continues to attend the trip every year, despite his retirement from the University in 1992.

Over time, the number of appointments grew. This year, there were seven meetings, including appointments with a Congressman from Illinois, an anti-global warming group and staffers at the Office of Management and Budget. Students also met with University alum William Bodde, a career diplomat and former Ambassador to Micronesia.

“We get the access from interns and alumni of the University,” Dr. Perotti said. “Sometimes we call out of the blue.”

The “Semester in Washington” internship is an unpaid program run by the State University of New York at Brockport. It offers students the opportunity to work four days per week in a Washington office while taking a class once a week and writing a research paper related to their experience. The interns come from schools all over New York State, and the University is a partner in the program.

Students can intern at any of the three branches of government, at an interest group, research institute or non-government organization. University students and alumni that have participated include a Law professor, lobbyists and staffers on Capitol Hill.

One current student is spending this semester interning for Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) in her Senate office. Another is interning for Congressman Donald Manzullo (R-Ill.), who met with the students.

Students overwhelmingly enjoyed the experience of being in Washington. “This trip allowed us to experience government,” sophomore Christina Martin said.

Amanda Scheffer, a sophomore, agreed. “This trip has put the idea of working in politics in my heart again,” she said. “The professors have inspired me.”

Politics were not the only benefit to the trip, according to Chris Pergola, a junior. “Not only do you get to witness and experience things tourists would not normally see in Washington, you get to meet students and make friends at the University you might not otherwise have done,” he said.

ALBUM REVIEW; ARCADE FIRE- NEON BIBLE (NOT PRINTED IN CHRONICLE)

2007-03-15T23:53:00.000-04:00

Arcade Fire- Neon Bible
Merge Records
3.5/5

Montreal’s Arcade Fire has taken on a new enemy: everyone else. The debut, Funeral, tackled topics such as loss, introspection and the death of a loved one. This time around, on Neon Bible, the lyrics are just as bitter, but the blame is placed squarely on society.

Brashly sung lyrics such as, "Don't wanna live in America no more" define the sentiments of this album. Win Butler blasts all the trappings of a luxurious life in this Western world of ours. He takes shots at consumerism, commercialism, religion, government, reality television and MTV.

By looking outward, the music also takes on a different role. Arcade Fire has now learned to channel their music into a tool of malevolence and bitterness.

The songs now build and release, driven mostly by guitar and drums, whereas Funeral would climax over epic soundscapes of piano and strings. This is not to say that the strings and keyboards are gone, but they are now used more economically, for a completely different approach.

On the track "(Antichrist Television Blues)" the band channels Bruce Springsteen better than the Killers ever could, this could be the sonic "Born to Run,” but a lyrical counterpart to “Let Down” from Radiohead.

“No Cars Go,” a reprise from the eponymous debut EP, would be an ideal album closer, flourishes and all, but the band wanted to have its cake and eat it too, with “My Body is a Cage.”

“Cars” shows a glimmer of hope even after all the bitterness, but the band chose to revel in its own depression over the world surrounding it.

“What have you done to me?” Win Butler asks, almost pleading to the listener. The real question is, why are they telling us something that’s been said so often already? This, of course, is left unanswered.

NEWS; SUOZZI STATE OF THE COUNTY

2007-03-15T23:49:00.000-04:00

MINEOLA, Mar. 13—Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi announced a “2020 Vision for Nassau County” in his annual “State of the County” address Tuesday at the County Legislative and Executive building. The announcement concentrated primarily on property tax and quality of life issues to affect the county for the next 13 years.

Suozzi said major progress was made since he took office in 2002, but that the work was unfinished. “We will make sure the County Government continues to be run smoothly and at as low a cost as possible,” he said. “But just because we have managed the County well and county property taxes have remained stable, doesn’t mean people are satisfied.”

Suozzi pointed to not raising property taxes since 2003 as evidence of progress and development. “Nassau County is now the only county in New York State that has not raised taxes for four years in a row,” he said.

To combat the property tax issue, Suozzi called for the consolidation of “our over 400 separate governments to reduce costs and improve service.” He also expressed support for Governor Spitzer’s efforts to combat waste in Medicaid, and expected the funds recovered from Spitzer’s plan to be provided to the county for property tax relief purposes.

Suozzi said that the many levels of government left voters confused and uninformed as to whom and for what they are paying taxes and electing officials. “I am quite certain that fewer people vote in special district elections than will vote tonight on American Idol,” he said.

In order to conduct the business of consolidation, Suozzi asked the legislature to approve an allocation of $500,000 to “develop a blueprint.” Governor Spitzer assigned a special advisor to help the County at the task. New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli will do the same, Suozzi said.

Suozzi announced a plan to grow the tax base in the County by advocating the development of communities in order to relieve the burden on residential taxpayers. “Tonight, I am calling upon our town supervisors and our city and village mayors to come together to agree upon the top ten targeted areas for planned smart growth between now and 2020,” he said.

Suozzi highlighted the Nassau County Hub (which includes the University, the Nassau Coliseum and the surrounding areas) and downtown Village of Hempstead as the two most important areas. “We need to agree on the remaining 8 locations,” he added.

Suozzi described how to implement his development plan: “We need more office space with good paying hi-skilled or hi-tech jobs, more affordable and diverse housing with nearby walkable retail, shops and restaurants. We need more sports, entertainment and tourism opportunities.”

He announced an ambitious “Healthy Nassau” initiative as a part of his “2020” vision. Suozzi said he wants to make Nassau County the healthiest county in the country by 2020.

Suozzi said the greatest health problems are associated with a lack of exercise, bad diet and smoking. He endorsed a proposed state authorized tax on cigarettes, modeled after the tax already in place in New York City.

He announced an initiative by local officials across the country to “[prepare] local communities nationwide for the impacts of global climate change” by investing in alternative energy and reducing greenhouse emissions. Suozzi also called for preservation of the remaining open land in Nassau County, as well as implementing the County’s first Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan in over 30 years.

In his response, Minority Leader Peter J. Schmitt (R-Massapequa) said that the County Executive is too busy poking his head into the business of local and national government rather than focusing on county issues. “Leave Disney World to Disney and Master planning to Master planners,” he said. “I have three words for you, do your job.”

Schmitt referenced an article in Tuesday’s Newsday about a single-family residence that contained 28 tenants, including a child and a convicted violent sex offender, as proof that the Executive was not doing his job. “Clean up your own Department of Social Services which is responsible for this disaster.”

Legislators were divided by party lines in their reactions to the issues raised in the speech. ‘“Healthy Nassau’ is something that will impact lives in real ways,” said Legis. Jeff Toback, (D-Oceanside). “The Republicans should get behind it because some things take years to evolve, but this can be immediate.”

Legis. Dennis Dunne (R-Levittown), University alum, agreed with Schmitt. “Clean up what we have here,” he said. “Take care of yourself first. Consolidate our own taxes.”

OP-ED; PAYOLA'S OFFICIAL END

2007-03-09T02:36:00.000-05:00

Payola Sees an Official End

Agreements were made between broadcasters of four major radio broadcasters and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over a scandal that has wracked the industry for years. That scandal is payola, and its influence over radio stations. This scandal was so widespread that it required action first by former New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer before the FCC would step in.

Payola is the practice of record companies paying money for the broadcast of records on music radio. It is illegal in the United States, but according to the U.S. Code Title 47, Chapter 5, “In any case where a report (payment) has been made to a radio station… an appropriate announcement shall be made by such radio station.” This means full disclosure of the sponsorship by labels for radio stations, and that the play of the song cannot be recorded as a “spin,” or play, on air for reporting purposes.

Record labels were Spitzer’s primary target while in the Attorney General’s office. The “Big Four” —Universal Music Group, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, the EMI Group and the Warner Music Group — signed settlements out of court totaling more than $30 million to stop the practice. CBS Radio and Entercom, two companies that settled with the FCC Monday, also settled cases with Mr. Spitzer’s office for a combined $6.25 million.

Clear Channel Communications, CBS Radio, Entercom Communications and Citadel Broadcasting all signed an agreement to pay a total of $12.5 million to the FCC in fines for accepting bribes, gifts and entitlements for playing songs on their radio stations. These companies are the largest radio station owners in the nation, which means they have a tremendous influence over the flow of musical content across the country. All the companies also signed a separate agreement pledging to play music from artists not signed to the four major record labels.

The companies would accept bribes through a loophole in the U.S. Code, which allows for the use of “indies,” or independent promoters (not to be confused with independent record labels,) to accept funds on behalf of the broadcaster, enabling them to still accept payment without having to disclose sponsorship. The “indies” would funnel the money to broadcasters, and “General Managers” would choose playlists, not the deejays themselves. This deal will purportedly stop that practice.

The broadcasters, of course, love the deal. They can now claim that both the scandal is behind them and that no explicit violations were found, just as Andrew W. Levin, Clear Channel’s executive vice president and chief legal officer did. In essence, they save face while the practice continues unabated.

As much as the big broadcasters love the deal, the independent labels, and those that lobby on their behalf, hate it. The agreement, which they signed, requires that the radio companies will broadcast the equivalent of 8,400 half-hour segments of music from independent artists between 6 a.m. and midnight any time of the week during the year. However, they see the deal as insufficient, feeling as if it is insignificant punishment for meta-conglomerates that will continue to shut independent voices out.

Payola dates back to the beginning of rock and roll. Alan Freed, an early disc jockey, and the man who coined the term “rock and roll,” saw his career end because of payola. Dick Clark avoided scandal by cooperating with authorities and selling his stake in a record company. Why would things change now?

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) works in concert with these labels and broadcasters to enforce a landscape in which independent thoughts, ideas or actions are shut out and shut down. The RIAA has recently accused a highly promoted mix-tape artist, one touted by many hip-hop acts and used by major labels, of copyright infringement. DJ Drama was arrested late in the afternoon of Jan. 16 by a SWAT team from the Fulton County Sheriff's Office. They came with a warrant on the grounds that they had violated the state's Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations law, or RICO, a charge often used to lock up people who make a business of selling drugs or breaking people's arms to extort money, according to the February 18, 2007 New York Times.

Recently, the RIAA has targeted college students for illegally downloading music, which they claim is a dire threat to the business of record companies. The industry should be more concerned with the decrease of compact disc sales because of legal downloading from services such as iTunes, which has seen a huge jump in sales, especially in the form of single tracks, as opposed to full-length records. By preoccupying itself with petty scandals of downloading by students in their pajamas in their dormrooms, the record companies are missing the ball on a huge opportunity, and a potential boon for business.

All of this comes back to a couple simple facts: music is nothing more than organized sound, and to prosecute for the infringement of acquiring sound is ridiculous. To accept payment for specific songs is a form of propaganda; claiming that only certain songs are fit for play is just plain idiotic. But the control of the minds of the nation is at stake! Don’t allow for a few companies, and their zealous executives, to tell you what you should and shouldn’t listen to. Ask questions, demand answers and get music by any means necessary.

MUSIC REVIEW; BRIGHT EYES LIVE AT BOWERY BALLROOM

2007-03-09T02:31:00.000-05:00

Bright Eyes f/ A. Bondy and Craig Wedren
Grade: B+

Omaha, Nebraska is a city one would not expect an artist to call his hometown, but indie-wunderkind Conor Oberst, and his band, Bright Eyes, do so proudly. The quavering, unsure voice with the soulful lyrics of a modern day Bob Dylan entertained hipsters and sensitive folk alike at New York’s Bowery Ballroom for two nights as part of a small US tour to promote a new EP, Four Winds, and an upcoming full-length, Cassadega.

The shows were sold out within a minute of the on-sale, which was through Ticketmaster-subsidiary Ticketweb. Oberst has actively and vocally protested against Clear Channel, the media conglomerate that is closely allied with Ticketmaster, saying that its structure and status as the largest the world's largest promoter and marketer of live entertainment makes it impossible for independent bands and artists to tour.

Anticipation for the set was as widespread as it is for the release of the record, which will see an early April release. The indie-rock community may have to hand Oberst over to the masses, though, because the voice quavers no more.

The 100-minute, 16-song set comprised mostly of newer songs pulled from the Four Winds EP, of which he played all six tracks. The folk-y, roots-rock and countrified sound for which Bright Eyes is known is beginning to mature. Oberst now sings on-key, his music is uniformly relevant and his lyrical content continues to metaphorically be political, personal and emotional all at once.

Two openers preceded Bright Eyes: A. Bondy, a solo artist with an acoustic guitar and a harmonica sounded like he was Oberst’s protégé. His introduction was unique: “I’m six pellets into a mescaline trip,” he said. “Let’s see how this goes.” He instantly had the small crowd’s applause.

The second opener, Craig Wedren, is another singer-songwriter, but he had a band around him, though no one in attendance seemed to like him. He kept promoting himself as a “film” musician—he writes scores for movies, such as Reno 911: Miami. However, the crowd seemed not to care, his band’s sound seemed both generic and unoriginal and his presence was unwelcome on the stage, as everyone was anticipating Bright Eyes.

Oberst has hired, for the first time, permanent members to join the band. Bright Eyes used to be a project that featured Oberst, and included his friends from Omaha. The band now features; Daniel J. McCarthy on bass, Mike Mogis on banjo, mandolin, pedal steel guitar and electric guitar, Anton Patzner on violin, and Maria Taylor on drums.

Bright Eyes’ songs were all well received by the capacity crowd. He played one track, “Make War,” from his sprawling release Lifted. Introduced as a “country song, though I’m not from the ‘country,’” the song features a twang that far surpasses the level of his traditionally folk sound. In addition, he played a some rarities, including a song from a split CD he did with Britt Daniel of Spoon called “Spent on Rainy Days,” which was the heaviest song in the set.

Some of the quieter moments were aided by guest-musician M. Ward, who played a huge part in the EP, including singing credit on “Smoke Without Fire,” and some speculate that he had a role in the songwriting on Four Winds. He came out and played on two tracks of the main set, and the entire three-song encore.

NEWS; MIDDLE EAST DISCUSSION AT UNIVERSITY

2007-03-01T22:38:00.000-05:00

The conflict is by no means new, and people are entrenched on both sides of the ideological spectrum, but Wednesday, the crowd attending the lecture by Zachary Lockman, Professor of Middle East Studies at New York University, was primarily one-sided.

The University’s new Center for Civic Engagement, alongside with The Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives and the Long Island Teachers for Human Rights has sponsored a series of lectures on the International Scene. Lockman spoke at the Gubhardt Cultural Center Theatre Wednesday on “The Israel/Palestinian Conflict.”

The Professor spoke to a near-capacity crowd at the Theatre. “I’m sure we could not get anything near a crowd of this size at NYU in the middle of a school day,” he said.

Lockman spoke from what audience members saw as a “pro-Palestinian” perspective, much to their dismay. Lockman’s speech focused mostly on historical context for current relations. “I think it is fair to say, without too much exaggeration, at this moment in time, relations between Israelis and Palestinians are in one of the worst states that they have been in quite a long time,” he said. “There have been few periods that have been more difficult than the present.”

After the lecture, there was time for questions, which most used as time for comments and speeches, with one person even accusing the University of bias because there was not an opposing voice onstage. “Why not have someone here debate this gentleman’s obvious pro-Palestinian biased presentation?” he asked.

University professors responded. “The University is a place for a variety of different points of view,” one said. “You should listen here respectfully.”

Lockman said the Arabs see hypocrisy in US-Israeli policy concerning the Palestinians, and by extension, Iran. “The US and Israel have said there are preconditions: you have to do x, y and z,” he said. “The Palestinians don’t get to impose preconditions on Israel; they don’t get to say, ‘I’m sorry, we won’t negotiate with you until you recognize the right to a Palestinian state and you let all the refugees back.’”

"To impose preconditions on one side, and not the other side, seems to me a recipe for continued violence,” Lockman said.

Lockman saw more hypocrisy in a boycott of talks by Israelis. “This boycott has been justified on the grounds that Hamas refuses to recognize Israel, and refuses to renounce the use of violence against Israel,” he said. “There is a little bit of an irony here…because Israel has refused to recognize the right of the Palestinians to a state of their own, and Israel has certainly never renounced violence.”

Lockman attributed this phenomenon part of the reason for Hamas’ electoral success in the most recent Palestinian legislative elections. “Hamas is an Islamist party, it advocates a properly Muslim state in Palestine,” he said. “A lot of Palestinians voted for it who didn’t share its view of religion in politics…Hamas said we will negotiate, but only as equals.”

Lockman sees the impending death of the moderate Kadima party, a coalition of officials from the Labor and Likud parties, which former Prime Minister Sharon founded before a stroke left him in a coma. “There is a sense of real unhappiness of the political class,” he said. “With [Sharon] gone, with much less competent politicians in charge and with the, sort of, collapse of [the platform of ‘unilateral disengagement,’] what is the basis for this party?"

OP-ED; LIBBY'S WAR ON JOURNALISM

2007-02-15T18:21:00.000-05:00

The Libby War on Journalism

The court case surrounding I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby’s indictment has scared journalists and journalism alike. Reporters are being subpoenaed to testify in a court case about the very nature of their work: the cultivation of information for the good of the republic, and the people for which it serves.

The case strikes at the heart of the current political climate: Libby was indicted for obstructing the investigation of the source of a leak of a clandestine agent’s name; that name belongs to Valerie Wilson, the wife of administration war critic Joe Wilson.

Valerie Wilson was a CIA agent investigating weapons of mass destruction around the world. Joe Wilson was sent by the CIA to investigate a claim made by President Bush in his State of the Union address that Saddam Hussein was actively looking to procure uranium from Niger, which Wilson found to be false.

He published his findings in an op-ed in the New York Times, and a week later, Valerie’s name was printed in a column from noted conservative Robert Novak. An investigation took place, which resulted in the indictment, but the source of the leak was not identified, allegedly because Libby obstructed the investigation.

Recently, there has been concern from journalists about how this case can affect them, because many notable Washington journalists have testified during the trial, including Matthew Cooper of Time Magazine, Tim Russert of NBC News, David Sanger and Judith Miller of the New York Times, and Bob Woodward and Walter Pincus of the Washington Post.

The trial thus far has shown how deep the contempt of the newsmedia is by the administration. The distrust of the skeptical press is nothing new to government officials, but the press has never seen its watchdog status undermined to this extent. The administration challenges its critics by attacking the most vulnerable parts of a person’s psyche, that is, his or her family.

Rather than engage the press, the administration spoke, and continues to speak to fragments of the population by concentrating on its conservative base. Look at Vice President Cheney and his dogged insistence only to be interviewed on the pandering network Fox News. When Wolf Blitzer on CNN interviewed Cheney, he refused to answer many of the questions asked of him, claiming that no man would answer such questions. In addition, the administration was caught in 2005 paying a conservative pundit $240,000 to promote its education agenda.

The reporters are at the center of this story, due to the aggressiveness of special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, and his insistence on getting access to the reporter’s notes and sources, both of which were confidential in their reporting, especially Cooper and Miller. Judith Miller went to jail for 85 days to protect her source, who signed an agreement to allow her to testify to the grand jury.

There were many problems associated with the journalists as well, however. Many saw Miller making herself a martyr in order to gain back credibility she lost at the Times for her flattering coverage of the WMDs in the run-up to the Iraq War. Some said she fabricated the stories without sources. Others accused her being a mouthpiece of the administration, planting stories for officials to cite.

Other journalists complain that their level of access to officials at the White House will be even more limited than before. The administration set a new standard for secrecy. Because it saw that the jailing of a reporter did nothing to benefit either Miller or the paper she represented, secrets are more closely protected, journalists are loathed even more vocally and information concerning government action is both scarcer and more carefully scrutinized.

The story by James Glanz in Monday’s New York Times concerning intelligence that Iran is supporting the Shi’ite death squads is a perfect example. The military had to conduct its briefing in anonymity, because they would not attribute a face to the accusations. “The officials also asserted, without providing direct evidence, that Iranian leaders had authorized smuggling those weapons into Iraq for use against the Americans… That inference, and the anonymity of the officials who made it, seemed likely to generate skepticism among those suspicious that the Bush administration is trying to find a scapegoat for its problems in Iraq, and perhaps even trying to lay the groundwork for war with Iran,” he wrote. None of this would have been added to the report in a time of trust between the administration and the press.

The new precedent of subpoenaing journalists can only be a bad thing for the news business. If access is limited and credibility decreases, how can the public find the information it desperately needs and requires to make decisions on the actions of the government? The press will be seen as an arm of the government, exactly what the founders feared when writing the Constitution. Remember what Thomas Jefferson said about the importance of press and security: “The only security of all is in a free press.”

Unless this free press, and its ability to do its work is lionized in the country, the days of watchdog journalism will be over, state-sponsored propaganda will seize the day and we will inch ever closer to the world to which Orwell referred in his controversial dystopian world in 1984.

ALBUM REVIEW; PIEBALD-ACCIDENTAL GENTLEMAN

2007-02-15T18:19:00.000-05:00

Piebald-Accidental Gentleman
Side One Dummy

3.5/5

Somerville, Mass.’ Piebald’s latest record, Accidental Gentleman, is the band’s sophomore release for super-indie label Side One Dummy.

The band has come a long way since it was a hardcore band in Andover, Mass. They now sound more like alternative rock from the 1990s. Its previous release, All Ears, All Eyes, All the Time, was a large departure from previous releases, featuring a large emphasis on vocal harmonies and piano-driven melodies.

Accidental Gentleman is a return to the sound of 2002’s We Are the Only Friends We Have, with driving rock and vocal hooks. A piano is still present, but it is no longer at the forefront of the sound throughout the album, but rather used sparingly, to excellent effect. The vocal harmonies remain, but are used better than before.

Standout tracks include the aptly titled “Opener,” which features an immediate burst of energy and urgency sorely lacking anywhere on All Eyes. “If you don’t want to know/Why’d you ask?” frontman Travis Shettel angrily demands at the outset. An energetic drumbeat propels the song, while guitar noise feeds in and out, but the hook lies in the bass, which rumbles along mercilessly.

“Oh, The Congestion,” sounds like Ixnay-era Offspring and mid 1990s emo (The Promise Ring); it has a straightforward punk riff motoring over a steady drumbeat. “There’s Always Something Better To Do” takes lounge-rock to new heights, sounding effortlessly like a blues band at a bar messing around and having fun—just as the guys of Piebald always seem to be doing.

NEWS; DAY LABORERS PROHIBITED FROM BLOCKING COUNTY ROADS (TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY)

2007-02-02T09:52:00.000-05:00

SELDEN, NY, Jan. 24—County legislators proposed to prohibit the obstruction of roads by day laborers in a press conference Wednesday at the Suffolk County 6^th Police Precinct.

Legislators Joseph Caracappa (R-Farmingville) and Jack Eddington (WF-Medford), members of the Public Safety Committee of which Eddington is Chairman, proposed the legislation.

“This is a continuing problem in the villages of Farmingville and Medford, as well as other areas around Suffolk County,” said Eddington. “There are individuals that congregate on the county roadways and sidewalks, and they solicit employment from passing motor vehicles.”

The legislators decided that they needed to take action, because they claimed Washington was not acting fast enough. “It’s time for the Suffolk County Legislature to do something,” Eddington said.

This proposal comes after a heated debate concerning Resolution 17-1, which barred Level 2 and 3 sex offenders from loitering at places where children congregate, such as playgrounds and video arcades.

Caracappa sought this application of loitering law during the debates concerning Resolution 17-1. “If we are going to use it in one area for the common good, we are certainly going to try to use it in another area…this issue has been festering for far too long,” he said.

Police are apprehending day laborers already, but not with such direct legislation. “The police have told me that there have been accidents because the pedestrians run out to be the first to the car,” said Eddington. “In fact, they’re now using the jaywalking law, because it’s the only tool they have.”

Resolution 17-1 made loitering by sex offenders a misdemeanor, with punishment of up to a year in jail. The proposed legislation would call for day laborers who violate the law to pay a fine of up to $500.

Caracappa acknowledged the issue of constitutionality of the proposed legislation. “We are willing to go to court,” he said. “We’ll argue this when challenged.”

The legislation does not call for the building of “hiring halls,” a place where people can congregate when looking for work or workers. “Day laborer advocates want us to pay for it with taxpayer dollars,” Caracappa said. “That’s just something that I don’t support.

Caracappa said it was up to the advocates of day laborers to provide a place for them to congregate. “Do some fundraising for them,” he said. “Do not count on county government tax dollars to promote what I consider an illegal activity.”

Eddington compared the solicitation of work by day laborers to that of prostitution. “This is really equality,” he said. “No one should be able to solicit employment on our roadways and cause a dangerous hazard.”

Caracappa clarified the legal definition: “Under the law right now, prostitution and drug dealing falls under loitering, as defined by the State Supreme Court, as well as higher courts across the country.”

Owners of private property, such as the 7-11 in Farmingville at the corner of County Roads 16 and 83, have signed affidavits authorizing police to apprehend congregants who solicit employment as loiterers, according to Caracappa. “Access to their commercial establishments is being blocked constantly,” he said. “Now we are going to apply this on public property.”

The legislation is mostly focused on the “hot spots” of Farmingville and Medford, but Caracappa said there are smaller spots in Rocky Point and Centereach where day laborers congregate to look for employment. Caracappa did not cite specific locations in either Rocky Point or Centereach, however.

Despite the consensus on the proposed legislation, the legislators disagreed over federal proposals. “McCain-Kennedy provides amnesty,” Caracappa said. “I supported the Peter King Bill.”

Eddington supported McCain-Kennedy. “We need to treat people fairly,” he said. “We need to make sure these people have no criminal record at home, [as well as] make sure they broke no laws while they were here.”

Caracappa has taken action at the national level to try to address the issue. “I tried to sue the INS for the lack of doing their jobs,” he said. “It seems to always fall on the local officials to do something.”

Eddington spoke with Congressman Tim Bishop about immigration. Eddington said he believed that the president would work with Congressional Democrats to pass immigration reform because “he is desperate to have success in his tenure.” However, if the legislation is not strong enough, “we are going to continue with our own initiatives,” he said.

“We are hoping that this is an initiative that will be picked up by the town, the county, all over,” Eddington said. Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian Foley chose not to comment on the proposed legislation, citing a lack of jurisdiction.

“We are supportive of any measure that seeks to curtail the illegal underground economy and its effects on suburban communities,” said Ed Dumas, Director of Communication for County Executive Steve Levy. “We will work with the bill’s sponsors to shape the measure and to ensure its constitutional validity.”

NEWS; KIDS COMPETE WITH LEGO ROBOTS (TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY)

2007-01-27T10:45:00.000-05:00

MIDDLE ISLAND, NY, Jan. 20—Most kids play with Legos at some point during their childhood, but a select few gifted children use the toys to compete. Windham, NH’s “Nerds” played best, using nanotechnology to make a robot made from only Lego products perform tasks from everyday life.

Brookhaven Labs and Battelle, as well as the School-Business Partnership of Long Island, sponsored the Lego Tournament. Longwood High School provided space for the event free of charge.

The Lego League Tournament starts in September, when FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) announces the theme of the challenge for the year. This year’s challenge was to apply the science of nanotechnology to everyday life in a creative manner.

The robots were built to accomplish a variety of goals, called “missions.” For example, the robot would act out “individual atom manipulation” by removing a white lego from a plane surface without disturbing other lego “atoms” around it.

Another goal was the test of “nanotube strength.” This required the Lego robot to lift a truck on an “elevator,” which was a thin carbon cable. The robot had to first move the truck onto the elevator frame, and then activate the lift.

The Nerds from Windham, N.H., traveled to Middle Island to compete in the First Lego League (FLL) Tournament. They were the only team not from Long Island to compete Sunday.

The FLL allows children from ages 9 to 14 to solve “real world” problems by using math, science and Legos, according to its press release. The children organize in after school clubs with mentors and coaches, who assist them as they research, build and compete with the robots.

The robots are made only from Lego products. “The children receive a kit of products, and they can only use what is in the kit,” said Janet Anderson, Director of LI-FIRST. “The kits are made by Lego.”

Robotics teams have programmers, builders and researchers. “We type in what we want the robot to do on a program called Robolab on the computer, and then we upload it onto the RCX Box, which is attached to the motors on the wheels of the robot,” said Christopher, 12, of Longwood Junior High School. “The program tells the robot what to do.”

Builders provide a pivotal role for the robotics team. “We build the robots and bring them to the tournament,” said Mike, 13, from Beach Street Middle School. “In the beginning, it is more about following instructions, but later on, it takes on a more creative approach.”

Coaches provide guidance for the children. “We reinforce teamwork and individual thinking,” said Tom Larsen, Assistant Coach for Beach Street Middle School. “We teach the children to solve problems as well.”

Judges determined the scores, who based them on four criteria: project presentation, robot performance, technical design and programming of the robot, and teamwork. Referees oversaw the competition. Each mission also had a previously specified point value.

The Nerds dominated the tournament throughout, routing the thirty-three other schools in every round. Rank was determined by taking the highest score of the three rounds, and The Nerds’ high score was 347, far outpacing the second-place “Brooker-bots” from Stony Brook, who had a high score of 231.

Stony Brook School, a private institution, sent a second team to the tournament. This team, the “Stony-bots,” also was in the top ten, placing ninth with a high score of 160.

North Country Road Middle School in Miller Place sent two teams; both share the same nickname, except one is English (Techno Panthers) and the other is Spanish (Pantrero-de-Techno). “Techno Panthers” came in 5th place with a high score of 184, and “Pantrero-de-Techno” placed 30^th.

Mt. Sinai Middle School fielded a team as well; the “MS Stangbots” placed 11^th. Boyle Road Elementary School’s “SPBoyled Bots” from Port Jefferson Station placed 20^th.

Teams received awards even if their robot did not win the competition. Another component of the tournament was a research contest, and the team with the best and most practical research won an award. Teams won awards for excellent teamwork and for “rising stars” in the Lego League.

NEWS; STARBUCK'S LAND NOT FOR SALE (TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY)

2007-01-18T20:07:00.000-05:00

A 13.2-acre plot of land Suffolk County Legislator Joseph Caracappa (R-Selden) promised to restore for the community of Selden remains in the hands of its private owner, because he is unwilling to sell it, according to the legislator.

“Owners are in contract with someone else and are not interested in a sale to the County,” an email from an aide to Mr. Caracappa said. The owner of the land, who lives in Florida, could not be reached for comment.

Mr. Caracappa’s campaign for the preservation for the “Starbucks property”—a privately owned area surrounding the Selden Starbucks on Route 25—dates back to 1995, when he wanted to place the Suffolk County 6^th Precinct there. Since the Precinct was placed elsewhere, Mr. Caracappa shifted his focus to more community-centered proposals for the property, including walking paths and fields for child recreation.

Mr. Caracappa proposed a resolution in the Suffolk County Legislature in February 2005 for acquiring the land for “use as playground, ballfields (sic), and/or other community recreational needs for the captioned property.” County Executive Steve Levy (D-Coram) signed the resolution. “We wanted to make it a town center for people to gather together,” Mr. Caracappa said.

“The plan was for the county to purchase the land and for the county to enter into an agreement with the town of Brookhaven to develop the preserve,” Mr. Caracappa said. “We would also enter into agreements with civic associations, little leagues and schools to clean and maintain the county park.”

“The county sent a letter to the owner, asking the level of interest in selling the property to the county for development,” said Mr. Caracappa. “The letter has a checklist, and he checked ‘uninterested,’ so we never made a monetary offer.”

“The county has much more flexibility when purchasing land,” Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Kathleen Walsh said. “Counties can purchase land and create parklands out of it, while towns are only allowed to preserve green areas.”

The land is near secondary schools in the Middle Country School District, and Ms. Walsh said the schools saw use for the land as well. “The cross country teams would have a place to run,” she said. “Right now they run through residential neighborhoods because they can’t just run on a track.”

The land is mostly zoned as residential property,” said Mr. Caracappa. “If the plot was to be changed to commercial zoning, the value would increase, especially along the Route 25 corridor because they would want to put stores there.”

The 13.2-acre plot is the largest local open space in both Mr. Caracappa’s and Ms. Walsh’s respective districts, which in fact are nearly identical in both size and location.

PROFILE; NEW FIRE COMMISSIONERS (TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY)

2007-01-13T10:08:00.000-05:00

New fire commissioners were elected in the towns of Selden and Centereach. Frank Rutilosso, from Centereach, and Dennis Carmen, of Selden, are the new faces of their respective fire departments. Both have lived on Long Island throughout their lives, and now they plan to give back to the communities that elected them.

Selden

Dennis Carmen, 39, joined a fire district embroiled in scandal. Newsday reported in November on elected Selden fire officials spending taxpayer money recklessly at conferences around the country and not providing receipts for their purchases[removed comma] including items such as alcohol, which is non-reimbursable, according to state law.

Morale is low in the firehouse, but Carmen is looking to change that. “I’d like to see a little stronger oversight,” he said. “That means you need good people in the office to run it correctly.”

Carmen has lived his entire life in Selden; he graduated from Newfield High School. His father was a Teamster, his mother a receptionist at a dentist’s office. “I enjoyed my childhood, and I want to go back,” he said. “I had a lot of friends and I knew all my neighbors on the block.”

After graduating, he took an assortment of jobs, including carpentry, electrical and plumbing jobs. “I basically did anything that paid,” he said. Carmen joined the volunteer fire service for the Selden firehouse in 1985, where he has served ever since. He has also maintained a career in law enforcement.

Carmen has not only responded to emergencies in Selden. “I have responded all over Long Island, [also] to the wildfires,” he said. “We responded to Ground Zero.”

Carmen did not comment on the scandal, citing the ongoing investigation into the actions of fire commissioners. He did express concern, however, about the use and abuse of taxpayer dollars. “Every single firefighter here is a taxpayer as well,” he said. “Even firefighters are concerned about taxes.”

Carmen also did not appreciate the public response to the scandal. “Whenever something bad happens in a fire district, they take it out on the fire department,” he said. “They are two separate entities.”

Carmen will serve a five-year term as fire commissioner for a district of over 30,000 people and oversee a budget of over $3 million. He was sworn into office Jan. 1.

Centereach

Frank Rutilosso, of Centereach, has won his first run for elective office. He is taking the Commissioners seat of a more stable firehouse than his counterpart in Selden.

Rutilloso is the son of a Foreman of the AMF. He was born in Brooklyn, but he grew up in Lindenhurst. His mother was a housekeeper.

Rutilosso joined the Navy after high school. “I was in the Service four years,” he said. “I came out of the service, and my friends had joined the Lindenhurst department.”

He joined them “the minute I came back,” and his friends continue to serve in Lindenhurst. “I’m still a benevolent member for North Lindenhurst, but now my focus is only the Centereach Fire Department,” he said.

The election process was more involved than Rutilloso expected. “I thought it was going to be easy,” he said. “This was kind of exciting during the last minute when I was trying to get neighbors and friends to vote.”

Turnout was low, possibly because the election was not held on Election Day in November. “It seems like nobody comes out for these elections,” he said. “Most people don’t understand that they can vote for Fire Commissioner.”

Rutilloso wants to continue the positive legacy of the Centereach firehouse. “I didn’t come in with no mandate for change or any issues,” he said. “I came in just to get back involved with my own community.”

NEWS; CHOICES AT CENTEREACH HIGH SCHOOL (TIMES OF MIDDLE COUNTRY)

2007-01-13T10:07:00.000-05:00

CENTEREACH, Jan. 8—Approximately 275 students came to school after hours for an evening of activity and social awareness Monday to take part in a night of recreation called “Choices” at Centereach High School.

The Brookhaven Committee for Better Choices, which lobbied for and received a $50,000 grant through State Sen. John Flanagan (R-East Northport), sponsored the rec night.

“The grant is to apply to anti-violence and substance abuse programs at all four secondary schools,” said Mark Anderson, co-chair of the committee, and member of the School Board. “Senator Flanagan is interested in helping the district.”

Students of Centereach High School were the only ones allowed to attend the evening activity, as students’ identification was checked at the entrance. Students were issued a wristband to ensure proper attendance tabulation.

Middle Country is not the only school district to have a recreational after-school program. “Sachem School District has a program like this [as well,]” said Ken Gutmann, the other co-chair of the committee, and principal of Oxhead Road Elementary.

The grant helped the committee pay for twelve counselors—teachers—to chaperone the event. In addition, three security guards and numerous adult volunteers were on hand, to ensure a safe environment for the students. “We are here to have students interact with faculty in a different way,” said Bruno Bernardino, a French teacher at the high school.

There was a larger meaning for the event for some. “We want to go back to a time when the school was the center of the community,” said Kim Tarpey, member of both the committee and the school board. “Not one incident has been reported during these rec nights.”

Co-directors Sandra Sardoni and Steven Restivo ran the event. “We are here to help organize, run and come up with activities,” said Ms. Sardoni, an art teacher at Dawnwood Middle School. “Our goal is for students to make better choices.”

Ms. Sardoni left literature on assorted topical information on a table for students to take and read, including pamphlets on defensive driving, date rape, drinking and drug abuse. “We want to help all students learn about different things,” she said.

Students attending had a large choice of activities. There were ping-pong tables, hackey sack circles, a cosmetology center, Dance Dance Revolution and other video games, refreshments and a deejay, as well as basketball and volleyball in the gym. Many students chose to dance to the eclectic music from the deejay, and even more witnessed the break dancing of Centereach High School Guidance Counselor Rick Rivera.

Students said they had a good time. “I came to have fun,” said Mikaela Melendez, 14. “I danced, played basketball and volleyball, and I am going to play some ping pong.”

Most heard about the event during morning announcements, but others heard via word of mouth. “I heard about it from a friend,” said Melendez.

James Smith, 15, heard during about the evening event during the morning announcements. He said he enjoyed himself and “would come back if it is held again.”

Others came to escape boredom. “We had nothing better to do,” said Katie Anzalone, 15.

Students did not pay too much attention to the informational literature, but a few snatched the booklets on safe driving. Nearly all students said they were not going to take or look at the pamphlets available to them.

NEWS; HOLIDAY PARTY FOR CHILDREN

2006-12-07T19:02:00.000-05:00

Underprivileged Children Celebrate Holidays

The Nassau County Youth Board sponsored a Holiday Celebration for underprivileged youth in the University’s Multipurpose Room Tuesday. It was the eleventh-annual celebration; the University has held it every year.

The celebration is nondenominational, and it had events celebrating Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa and Three Kings. Over 260 children were in attendance, along with over 40 volunteers, parents and sponsors. The children were predominately minorities.

“Young people from over 30 communities in Nassau County are here,” said Angela Zimmerman, Director of Training and Advocacy for the Youth Board. “This is a cultural mosaic for children of all backgrounds to come together, learn, celebrate and have fun.”

University Relations also sponsored the event, by giving it a place to be held. “insert quote here,” said Stu Vincent.

Community organizations, including the Glen Cove Boy’s and Girl’s Club, were in attendance. HSBC Bank USA was one of many new corporate sponsors of the Holiday celebration. “[The celebration] is funded by private donations, foundations and corporations,” said Zimmerman.

Many youth organizations were represented at the celebration, including Copay Inc., a not-for-profit organization that offers after school care and tutoring for underprivileged youth in Great Neck. “I want to thank Hofstra University for holding the event,” said Sheryl Luna, an Academic Instructor from Copay.

Martin Kramer, who was a member of the board of the Nassau County Youth Board when it started 11-years ago, organized the event. “The Youth Board has 42 after-school agencies, which each submit a list of names for kids they think should go to the party,” he said. “The volunteers are affiliates of the Youth Board.”

Youthful community volunteers helped as well. “The event is really great because it is giving kids a holiday celebration,” said Abigail Agoglia, a high school senior and member of the Nassau County Executive Youth Committee. “We hope they had a good time,” said JoAnna Datz, another high school senior and member of the committee.

Some adults volunteered whatever time they could to the Board, and also chaperoned the party. “It’s all about giving back and remembering how blessed you really are,” said Wilfredo Maldonado, a 51-year-old retiree.

At the celebration, each holiday had its own arts and crafts booth. Children could color Chanukah menorahs, make paper bag reindeer, spinners with the colors of Kwanzaa and make picture frames for Three Kings. The high school students had organized the arts and crafts.

A DJ provided musical entertainment, and assorted volunteers came to perform for the children, including a STOMP group from Freeport, a magician and the I Support Roosevelt “Six Black Diamonds” dancers.

The children loved the activities and were having a great time. “I love the candy,” said Jabbai, age 9.

Most of the children, however, loved the youth volunteer art programs. “I loved the arts and crafts!” said Joannah, 6. “So do I,” said Cherish, also 6 years old.

“We want to help the kids out,” said Sue Bennett, a volunteer for the past five years. “It’s all about them, after all.”

OP-ED; THE STORY OF THE MEMOS

2006-12-07T18:56:00.000-05:00

The Story of the Memos

Memoranda run through offices everyday. Whether they are for new policies concerning dental care, or they are to announce the hiring of a new employee, their ubiquity in the office is astounding. Memos have taken on a new significance in the hyper-secret world of the Bush administration, as they are the only real insight into the inner workings and dealings of the offices of this administration.

These memos from administration officials are the closest thing the press has to a leak, thus the flurry of attention. The content found inside these memos is worth looking at regardless, but the rarity makes it all the more important.

Two memos have recently examined the issue of Iraq head on. National Security Adviser Stephen J. Hadley wrote one dated Nov. 8 in which he expresses doubt in the legitimacy and power of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The memo states that Maliki, could be participating in some of the sectarian violence, wittingly or unwittingly.

There were reports, according to the memo, of undelivered services to Sunni areas, and an active campaign to “consolidate Shia power in Baghdad.” The memo speaks of good intentions and nice words for Washington, but not of pure action. In order for Maliki to be successful, Hadley makes a list of suggestions, including working with the Saudis to curtail Sunni insurgency and the creation of an American National Strike Force, a large group of advisers to work with the Iraqi police force.

The candid nature of the memo was astounding, especially since the President was about to meet with Maliki in Amman to discuss his future as Prime Minister. Maliki subsequently snubbed the President by uninviting him to a meeting with King Abdullah of Jordan, and Maliki testily met with the president afterwards. Maliki was the candidate endorsed by the Americans in the elections of the newest “unity” government, but the memo illustrated reluctance in continuing the support.

More candid was the memo from outgoing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. He is known for his controversial memos, meant to spark debate by his deputies, including one he wrote in 2003 about Iraq possibly becoming a “long, hard slog,” as well as posing this question to his subordinates: are we creating more terrorists in Iraq than we are killing? Foreshadowing ex post facto (the invasion to now) really helped the US, now didn’t it?

His latest memo, dated Nov. 6 but leaked Sunday, calls for a “major adjustment” to Iraq policy. “Clearly, what U.S. forces are currently doing in Iraq is not working well enough or fast enough,” he said. Throughout the war, Rumsfeld has been the most steadfast proponent of Bush’s “stay-the-course” strategy, but the memo signaled a significant change of heart.

Rumsfeld considers the redeployment of troops in the region, proposing the movement of troops from the most sensitive areas of Iraq, to Kuwait and surrounding nations, for the US to act as a rapid-deployment force, to aid the forming Iraqi army. Call this a Rumsfeldian spin on Congressman John Murtha’s policy.

The suggestions for new policy in Iraq found in Rumsfeld’s memo are divided into two sections: those that are feasible or “above the line,” and those that are considerably less so or “below the line.” “Below The Line” policies include a timetable for withdrawal, while “above the line” suggestions include a phased drawdown of troops.

The departing Secretary of Defense strikes a surprisingly parallel tone to that of the provisions of Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act, Bush’s education law, when he considers abandoning regions fractured by “bad behavior” and rewarding those with good. This is not working with the American education system, and it is just as likely to work in Iraq.

The memos reveal something extremely important: there is substantive debate going on throughout the administration on the extremely important issue of Iraq. The White House staff is not necessarily in lockstep with each other, and such exhaustive debate may lead to better policy, better governance and finally, an exit strategy.

INTERVIEW; ANDY STRACHAN,THE LIVING END

2006-12-01T11:44:00.000-05:00

Interview
Andy Strachan, Drummer, The Living End

Was finding a label to distribute State of Emergency difficult?

Yes.

Now that you found Adeline, what have they done that Reprise wasn’t doing before?

Well, it’s pretty early days, but the reason we went with Adeline is just because they kind of understand where we’re at, and they’re not all caught up in the whole, uh, you know, ‘a million copies isn’t enough’ mentality.

They are letting you guys do your thing, essentially?

Essentially, yeah, they are willing to sort of let the band grow in a natural way, rather than, you know pushing all the money in one area.

Do you think Billie Joe’s early support helped this?

Yeah, you know this sort of goes without saying, that the guys have been sort of helpful for many years now, but Billie Joe isn’t really incredibly involved with this deal, but he has some part in the label, I’m sure, but he doesn’t really get involved with the day-to day runnings.

How has the tour gone throughout the world? Europe, Japan, New Zealand, how has it gone for you guys?

It’s been great; it’s been a busy year. It’s been very busy, but Japan’s always amazing for us, one of our favorite places outside of Australia, you know. New Zealand was great, it was very sweaty and very back to basics kind of punk rock.

That must have been wonderful.

Yeah, it was awesome. Anytime in the UK is good time, but you know, we got to play in places that we haven’t been before, to brand new audiences in Dublin, Scotland.

You guys have played Warped Tour, actually before your time in 1998, and again recently. How did you enjoy the Tour, for your first time?

Yeah, it was great, and a pain in the ass at the same time. It was so hot, and miserable, but um, you get to play in front of great crowds every day, and you get to meet a lot of great people, but you know, it was, as you know, it was a heat wave for the entire time. This was coming straight out of an Australian winter.

That must have been rough.

Yeah, the first show of that was, you know, a great slap in the face. Once we got used to it, it was great.

For the song “Wake Up,” why did you guys choose to use children at the end? To me, it sounds a lot like Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall”; the damning indictment made in the same context.

You know, I mean, you can certainly draw parallels to that, it’s basically, as the title of the song says, we’re trying to get a point across. Some of the crazy stuff that’s gone on in the world in the last few years, it’s absolutely insane, and our kids, and our kid’s kids; it’s never going to be the same again now. You know, Scott and I just walked around Ground Zero…

Oh wow. How riveting was that?

It was fucking amazing. I was trying not to cry, choking back tears. It’s just amazing that people can make a decision like that to cause such a…you know, so many lives were lost, and so many lives are still affected today.

The war never ends.

Exactly. It’s never gonna be the same again. So with the whole “suicidal education, it’s been sold to our generation” and generations to come, you know, that would bring you back to that original question, to have kids sing that lyric, it just brings it home in a way—for me at least. That was the reason behind it, it’s a creepy kind of a song.

You guys have horns on a lot of your songs, especially on State of Emergency. Why didn’t you bring them here?

Um, money. But we did do a big tour at home, around Australia, and we brought them with us then.

Okay, so then you were able to play more of your back catalogue, like “Blood on Your Hands” and others.

Well, we could have, but we didn’t. We played a lot of the State of Emergency songs that had horns, and played “Uncle Harry” with the horns, and you know, a few songs like that. We used a horn section from a band called the Hunters and Collectors, who are just basically gods from where we come from, so it was a real honor and privilege to play with them.

This is your second time in the US this year alone. How do you feel you have been treated in the United States? How have the crowds been?

It’s up and down for us, I think. I mean, it’s been great, but, you know, it’s really hard to gain a momentum over here, I think, just because it’s so far away, and we can’t tour here all year round—we have other markets, and family, and things like that to consider. You know, I think the fans, the people that do go to the shows, truly love us, or truly love the music, and we get a great reaction I think, once a fan, always a fan kind of thing. We really appreciative of that, but it’s be nice to, sort of step up.

Do you think it has anything to do with the, sort of, obsession with dance-rock? Do you think it makes it more difficult, or is it just another obstacle the band has to overcome?

Well, I think, you know, every year there’s a new flavor, that’s just never going to change. We are happy doing what we do, and I think, like I said before, once you’ve seen the band and you’ve got the records, or whatever, then you can make your own mind up, and I think we’ve got fans for life. It’s, I guess it’s hard, because we’re not a fad band, and we’re not riding on someone else’s coattails, I suppose.

The one’s that have lasting power are the one’s that don’t ride coattails, though.

Yeah, yeah. I think it might have something to do with the fact that we don’t have millions of dollars to put ourselves on billboards, and things like that. In this generation, the advertising is so hard to promote yourselves without lots of money.

You’re right. I’ve heard from others that you’re music has been featured on network and cable television. In fact, someone said you’re music was on “Laguna Beach” (a show on MTV) and that’s how they came to find you. Now she’s an obsessed fan. Any avenue, I guess, would work.

Yeah, I guess we’ve just got to keep pushing away. We believe really strongly in what we do, and you know, it goes back to that, I guess you’ve got to see the band live to really understand what it’s all about. Hopefully, you know, when we play to small crowds each time, that small crowd tells another couple hundred people, and who knows what will happen.

How do you choose which songs to put on the setlist? Given your large catalogue, what would make you choose one track over another?

[Laughs] That’s the bane of our existence, really. It’s always a really hard thing to choose a setlist, you know, because there are so many songs, and, at the moment, we are trying to play as many State of Emergency songs as possible, obviously. It’s a day-to-day thing, we always have to think, we should play this song there, that one there… We do listen to people on the street, who say, you know ‘Can you play this song?’ and you know, we did that last night, we played ‘Monday,” and we played something else we hadn’t done in a while, though I can’t remember what it was at the moment. We do have a core set, a list of songs we have to play.

How rigorous is the touring schedule? How do you guys bring the fire and desire to play every night with the same level of energy?

I think the three of us have, uh, we’re still hungry, we want to sell records, and, for me, it’s like playing in a team sport like football or something. You’re up on stage and if you’re not giving 110%, you are letting your team down, so we have that mentality of going out as a band, and playing as a band. Our music doesn’t sound right if you don’t play it with intensity. We sort of dug our own grave in a way, you know, we have to put in 110% or it doesn’t sound right. That’s what I enjoy about music: sweating my ass off and getting blisters and locking in.

For us, it doesn’t matter if there are 30 people, or 30,000, because that’s the kind of spectrum we’re under. At home we play massive festivals, and in Japan [as well], but we come to small places like this in the States and we play small crowds.

How do you like the dichotomy of that; how does that play in your heads?

Playing to small crowds?

Playing to small crowds versus the 30,000 person festivals, I mean.

It doesn’t really change. We still have the same, you know, nervous tension before the show, and we still play 100mph and, you know, we all love the intimacy of the small crowd, but there’s nothing like the chant of 30,000 people. It’s a nice balance, I think. It’s a completely different gig, but for us, it’s just playing live. It’s what we do, and it’s what we love about music, so it doesn’t matter to us.

One last question, on a much lighter note. A friend of mine asked me to ask the band members, chicken or beef?

Shit, it depends on who’s cooking, doesn’t it? [Laughs] We’re all fans of both, we really are; it depends on who’s cooking, you know—but it has to be chicken breast. Can’t be those thighs—they are dodgy. Food is another one of our passions in life, so, you know, we’re pretty happy to eat whatever’s on the table.

CONCERT REVIEW; THE LIVING END F/THE SHAKE

2006-12-01T11:43:00.000-05:00

Concert Review: The Living End f/The Shake
Grade: A

If you were at the Main Space of the Knitting Factory in Manhattan on the night Nov. 19, then you were sore the next day. Period.

After a disappointing turnout in Levittown the night before, Australian legends The Living End played to a packed and raucous crowd for its second date in New York, part of a United States leg of a yearlong world tour that has taken the band throughout their native Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Europe.

The opening band, The Shake, enthusiastically ran through its set of Oasis-inspired alt-rock music. The band, with two guitars, layered harmonies and a bass player with a fondness for ridiculous faces as he rocked out, also factored in a large Buzzcocks pop-punk influence, with the result sounding like a very young Green Day. The Shake’s 45-minute set was interrupted off and on by a fan bent on ruining any opening band’s night, even getting the lead singer to challenge him to a fight, and the bassist offering to sell tickets.

The Living End took to the stage to thunderous applause, something not found in Levittown. Guitarist/vocalist Chris Cheney strolled to the mic and yelled, “New York City—alright!” and the show quickly kicked into gear with the band playing the opening track “Til The End” off their latest release State of Emergency. The punk-inspired mosh pits started instantly, and did not stop until the set ended. The band’s sound is a mixture of British punk, rockabilly and straight-up rock and roll, but in America, most of the fans are punk rockers.

Instantly feeding off the frenzied crowd was bassist Scott Owen, who moved his tremendous checker-bordered black upright bass around the stage, leaning into the fans, even standing on his bass. His animation tends to fuel the rest of the band, and Cheney, as well as drummer Andy Strachan, kept up a frenetic pace throughout the set, with the crowd seeming to drive the band faster and faster.

The set leaned heavily on new material from State of Emergency, as the band is touring in support of the album, which was released July 11 in the US, on Adeline Records, owned by Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day fame. The band is getting promotional support from the record label and from MTV as well, as the network has played the videos for “What’s On Your Radio?” and “Wake Up” on their university-exclusive channel MTVU.

The hour-long main set featured a live staple, called “E Boogie.” This song is an instrumental that allows the band to show off their virtuosic musical talents collectively, as well as individually, as each member gets their own time to solo. Most notable is Cheney’s, as he takes a beer bottle and slides it along the neck of the guitar, making an obscene amount of noise, with beer frothing around him. Cheney chugs the remnants after his solo, much to the delight of the crowd.

The band returned to the stage for a three-song encore, and the pace slowed down a bit for the aforementioned “Wake Up.” Then the band took requests, and elected to play their fastest song, “Carry Me Home,” which includes a feverish solo by Cheney before becoming a rapid-fire song about drinking until one cannot feel anymore. “West End Riot,” a classic off the self-titled debut, ended the show, as Cheney stood on Owen’s bass while each one played their respective instruments until it appeared that they would break.

The show ended too quickly, with the crowd begging for more. The band had to move on, the tour demanded it, though The Living End will always have a second home in New York.

Setlist: Til The End, Roll On, We Want More, Who’s Gonna Save Us?, What’s On Your Radio?, All Torn Down, Into The Red, Nothing Lasts Forever, Second Solution, E Boogie, Long Live The Weekend, Prisoner of Society (Encore): Wake Up, Carry Me Home (Monday was listed but not played), West End Riot

ALBUM REVIEW; ...AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD

2006-12-01T11:41:00.000-05:00

...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead
So Divided
Interscope Records
2.5/5

The new album from the band with the longest name ever seems as long as the band’s name. Oh, wait; ir's only 46 minutes.

So Divided, from Trail of Dead, was never supposed to happen. Rumors flew over an expected breakup after their critically panned previous release, Worlds Apart. Worlds was a commercial failure as well, selling only 60,000 albums in the United States, and it was a large contributor to the tension in the band.

When the band started recording for So Divided, it did so under the impression that it was to be an EP, and not a proper album, and it shows. Some songs are much stronger than others are.

The album is too scattershot to reveal a prevailing theme, with mall punk (“Stand in Silence”) Oasis-inspired Brit-pop (title track “So Divided”) and 70’s classic rock (“Naked Sun”) each sounding good, but unfocused, and lacking in passion.

A halfhearted Guided By Voices cover of “Gold Heart Mountain Top Queen Directory” has the strings that the original hinted at, and it forces an emotion that should be implicit, not shoved down the throat of the listener.

Trail of Dead is still struggling to understand that it may never top its opus, 2002’s Sources, Tags and Codes. For the band to succeed at that level again, the guys have to just let loose, relax, and let the music flow. Forcing an album sounds as canned as the emotion put into it.

OP-ED; DEMS WIN, BUT WHAT NOW?

2006-11-17T20:51:00.000-05:00

What Does it All Mean?

As you must have heard by now, the Democratic Party swept the 2006-midterm elections, including capturing control of the House of Representatives, the Senate, a majority of the governorships and control of many state legislatures. But what does this all mean?

It means a return to accountability in Congress. The Legislative branch of the federal government has shown its greatest power when it is able and willing to investigate. When wronged, the Congress is able to set the record straight. Consider the period after Watergate: at no time was the Congress more powerful, subpoenaing officials such as John Dean, and essentially ending a Presidency. This period also allowed for the passage of major campaign-finance reform in 1974 and the War Powers Act of 1973.

It means a return to economic security. The Bush administration, with the help of a Republican Congress, passed tax cuts for the wealthiest of Americans, while leaving the poorer ones in the dust. The gap of economic inequality is larger now than what it was in the 1990s, though it began to increase during the 1980s, in what became to be known as “trickle-down economics.” Bush’s return to this policy exacerbated the problem. Democrats bent on rolling back the tax cuts for rich people, and replacing them with ones for lower-income Americans is a fresh start and a return to economic freedom and stability.

It means a rejection of the status quo. The Republican Party abandoned its ideals, and when attempting to run on an idea that does not reflect the record, it resulted in a repudiation of the administration. In 1994, the Republicans took control of the House calling for a balanced budget. However, they became fat and happy, spending more pork than any Congress in US history. When they turned Clinton surpluses into increasing deficits, the GOP ran away from its record on Congressional spending, and divided the nation on social issues such as gay marriage, abortion and embryonic stem cell research. After failing to “fix” Social Security, the GOP did not even listen to ideas held by Democrats, but rather ignored them. The electorate was sick and tired of the politics of division and hate.

It means a possible return to bipartisanship. Democrats were foaming at the mouth when the results came in, but they must govern with restraint, and not give in to the urge to seek revenge against their Republican counterparts. After the elections, both parties made overtures towards bipartisanship, including the President hosting the new Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and the next House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). After the pleasantries, however, the bickering began again. The President, in trying to rush through last-minute legislation before the Democrats take office, re-nominated maligned UN Ambassador John Bolton (who received his position via recess appointment) and called for a bill legalizing wiretapping by the NSA without a warrant—policies vehemently opposed by Democrats. Bipartisanship is something that may have to wait awhile.

It could also mean…well, nothing. It has been widely reported that the Democrats that were elected are, in fact, more moderate than liberal, including lifelong Republican but recently turned Democrat Jim Webb (Va.) and gun-toting Jon Tester (Mon.). Newly elected Democrats are not beholden to the interests of the party, but rather of their constituencies. Consider this, as Paul Herrnson writes in Congressional Elections, “The candidate-centered nature of the US system encourages elected officials to be responsive to the desires of constituents and organized groups that support their campaigns, sometimes in opposition to their party’s leadership.” If a largely Republican district or state elected a Democrat, the constituency expects that official to legislate on behalf of their votes, and not on a party line.

The elections of 2006 brought the Democrats back into an influential role in the American political system, quite a feat after being considered a dead party by many. The Democrats must take advantage of the opportunity given to them, but they must do it with humility, or the Democrats may face the same fate they did in 1994.

VIRGINIA SENATE RACE: GEORGE ALLEN V. JIM WEBB

2006-11-07T12:59:00.000-05:00

Virginia Senate Race:
Incumbent Sen. George Allen (R) v. James Webb (D)

A. Prediction

The race for the US Senate seat from Virginia is one of the closest Senate races in modern memory. It was not supposed to be like this; incumbent George Allen was to coast to victory on his way to a probable 2008 Presidential run. However, his many mistakes and missteps made this race one of the most competitive in the entire nation. National polls are all within the margin of error with no consensus on who will reign victorious on Election Day. Issues of importance in this race were the war in Iraq, taxes, and foreign policy. Each campaign was rocked with scandal after scandal, creating a furor around each candidate and campaign. I believe, by an extremely small margin, Jim Webb, the Democrat will win the seat.

B. Context of the 2006 Elections

Virginia, known fully as the Commonwealth of Virginia, is one of the thirteen original colonies. It was named for the Virgin Queen Elizabeth I of England. Virginia was once much larger: it held territory that led to the formation of several other states. West Virginia was a part of Virginia until 1863, and its capital, Richmond, was capital of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. Many of the founding fathers, as well as eight presidents, called the state of Virginia home.

Geographically, the state is known for three main regions. The easternmost area, called the Tidewater, is the area permeated by multiple rivers, most running east to west, and some running north-south. Most of the original settlements were found in this area. (Gottman 11). This region also features the immense Chesapeake Bay. Due to its proximity with the Atlantic, and its ties to its system of navigation, the Tidewater region was directly influenced by political developments in Europe and the West Indies. The Tidewater region advances to the west until the fall line.

The fall line is an area of rapids and small streams that divide[s] the geological areas of eastern and Western Virginia. The fall line is an extremely important geographical feature, for multiple reasons. The rapids allowed for the setup of mills, and these water-run mills allowed for towns and villages to sprout. Major cities follow the route of the fall line, including New York to the north, and many cities to the Deep South. Virginia cities along the fall line include Fredericksburg, Richmond, and Petersburg.

To the west of the fall line is the Piedmont. The Piedmont is a “low rolling plateau that slopes gently eastward until its hard crystalline rocks plunge deep under the mantle of sediments of the coastal plain” (Gottmann 13). The rolling hill country features uplands and lowlands, the lower of which have soils that are more fertile. The lowland area is much smaller than that of the rolling uplands, and it is “a small wedge-shaped area between the Potomac and Rappahannock rivers” (“Virginia” 12). Farms are much more numerous in the lowlands.

The last major geographic region in Virginia is called the Blue Ridge. It features thickly forested mountains and a plateau known as Blue Ridge Plateau. It is very narrow towards the north, but it is much wider further south. The highest point in all of Virginia, Mount Rogers, at 5,520ft above sea level, is in the Blue Ridge region. The geographic regions play a part in the ideology of the people in respective regions of the state.

Virginia is the home of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in continental North America, and thus the “origins of the stupendous development of Anglo-America, this masterpiece of colonization, must be traced to Virginia in the seventeenth century” (Gottmann 1). Since 1607, Virginia has been the centerpiece of the American experiment. However, they were not the first to either inhabit or see the land now referred to as Virginia:

Archaeological evidence indicates that nomadic bands of hunters entered the northwest and center of what would become Virginia about 10,000 to 12,000 years ago… The first European to see Virginia may have been John Cabot, who reached the North American coast for England in 1497 and may have explored it the next year. (“Virginia” 11).

Virginia quickly grew into a royal colony in 1624, and even held a central role in the British civil war. The colonists refused to recognize the rule of Oliver Cromwell until an armed British fleet forced them in 1652. When Charles II retook the throne, he referred to Virginia as the Old Dominion, a measure of respect of its loyalty to the British throne (“Virginia” 12). This nickname still sticks today.

The state of Virginia, from then on, was to be known as a hotbed for rebellion. Beginning in the 1670’s, the Virginian people became increasingly hostile towards British colonial rule, which led to Bacon’s Rebellion. Virginians, along with Marylanders, led the fight for a revolution before the writing of the Declaration of Independence. When the Articles of Confederation did not work, Virginians spearheaded the call for a Constitution. Western Virginians became increasingly dissatisfied with the pro-slavery ideology of their eastern counterparts, and they themselves rebelled, forming their own state, West Virginia. During the buildup to the Civil War, Virginia seceded from the Union, and the Confederate capital subsequently moved from Montgomery, Alabama, to Richmond. After the Civil War, Virginia was decimated and it barely recovered during Reconstruction.

During the beginning of the nineteenth century, one-party political domination began to take hold in the state of Virginia. After defeating the anti-slavery Republicans, segregationalist Democrats sought to consolidate their power. They held a convention in 1901 to write a new state constitution, and “the result was a document, effective in 1902, that provided for a poll tax, literacy tests, and other restrictions that disfranchised many black and poor white voters—the groups most likely to vote against the Democrats” (“Virginia” 13). For the next 50 years, Democrats held a one-party monopoly over Virginia government, except for small areas in the mountainous region where Democrats could not penetrate the local Republican strongholds.

After the Second World War, the power and domination of the state’s Democratic Party began to erode, slowly. This was due, in part, to an alienation of the electorate in Virginia to the abundance of northern liberal Democrats running for national office. In addition, southern conservative Democrats (Dixiecrats) looked out of touch with the changing times:

After the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 ruling against school segregation, in Brown v. Board of Education, Senator Byrd called for “massive resistance” to the decree. This defiant stance ultimately proved futile. Governor J. Lindsay Almond, Jr., broke with the Byrd organization over the issue, and in 1959 several Virginia schools were desegregated. (“Virginia” 17).

Harry Byrd, the organizational leader and machinist Democratic Senator from Virginia, and the architect of the one-party rule in his state, started to lose his grip on Virginia. “At his suggestion, Virginia Democrats had endorsed Dwight Eisenhower for President,” (Atkinson 47). This endorsement gave Republicans an opening that created a full-fledged two party system in Virginia.

Enfranchisement of women and blacks (despite the resistance from Dixiecrats and conservative Republicans) led to newfound power for the electorate. “The result was an expanded, more diverse, and less predictable electorate. Byrd’s death in 1966 was the end of an era. Deprived of his prestige and guidance, the organization collapsed soon afterward,” (“Virginia” 18.) As a result, more Republicans, women and blacks exercised their influence as voters.

Since 1972, Republicans have held at least one of the two Virginia seats in the US Senate. The Virginia Republican party’s turning point was in 1978. “Virginia’s ascendant Republicans would host the largest political convention in terms of delegates assembled that had ever been convened in the free world” (Atkinson 343). The convention had over 9,000 delegates there; they fought tooth and nail over whom to nominate for the election to the US Senate. There were four major candidates, but after the second ballot at the convention, two candidates had the momentum: Richard Obenshain and John Warner. (Atkinson 355.) The final ballot formally nominated Obenshain for the US Senate; he called for the unification of the Republican Party. Despite Obenshain’s nomination, Warner’s campaign won a major moral victory—that of constantly being an outsider, but coming extremely close, almost enough to take the nomination. Obenshain was very likely to win the seat in 1978: the incumbent Democrat was vulnerable on many counts, including the conservative attitudes of the Virginia electorate. Obenshain died in a plane crash on August 2, 1978; his plane “crashed in the trees a fraction of a mile short of the Chesterfield County airport,” (Atkinson 367). Uncertainty loomed over the Republican Party, but ten days later, August 12, the GOP formally nominated John Warner for the US Senate Seat, which he still holds today, as the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

In 1989, Virginia elected the first black governor in US history. During a decade of resurgence for Virginia Democrats, the Democratic Party held the three highest offices (Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General) for the entire decade (Atkinson 413). Veteran State Senator Douglas Wilder was the first black man to win any statewide office in Virginia in 1985, when he won the race for Lt. Governor. Term limits for governors allowed Wilder to run for the highest office in 1989, and he won by a mere 6,741 votes (Atkinson 414). The races for the other statewide offices were not nearly as close, and Democrats held the reigns of state power during the late 1980s, into the early 1990s.

More recently, the state of Virginia has voted against the party holding national control. Through the 1990s, Republicans held the governor’s office (including one term for current candidate George Allen.) Governors in Virginia are allowed by law to only serve one term, and then they must relinquish their seat. During his term as Governor, George Allen was noted for “a major expansion of prison facilities as a key element of an anticrime crusade,” (“Virginia” 20.) Through the early 21^st Century, with a Republican President, Virginians have elected Democrats to the state governorship in 2001 and 2005.

In this election, the main issue involved is the war in Iraq. Senator George Allen has been a steadfast supporter of the military action, but Webb has been fighting against it since before the invasion, going so far as to say it “[was] arguably the worst strategic blunder in modern memory” in an op-ed for the USA Today in 2004. The Allen campaign still defends the military action, even as the ground situation unravels in Iraq. Webb has said that the troops may need to be redeployed. Other than the Iraq War, the campaign has focused much harder on personal attacks than discussion of issues.

C. The Candidates

Senator George Allen (R)

Incumbent Senator George Allen, Republican, was born in Whittier, California on March 8, 1952. His father, George Herbert Allen, was a legendary National Football League coach, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002. His mother, Henrietta, is of French Tunisian descent. The family lived in California until 1957, when George Sr. got a coaching job with the Chicago Bears, but subsequently moved back to southern California when he got a new job coaching the Los Angeles Rams.

Football was a constant in the Allen family: following his father’s direction, George Jr. was the quarterback of his high school football team in California. He was also a member of the football team during his college years at the University of Virginia. Allen received a BA in History with Distinction in 1974 from the University. He was class president his senior year at UVA, and he remained there for law school, ultimately receiving his JD in 1977.

Throughout his college years, Allen was politically active. In 1976, he was Chairman of the “Young Virginians for Reagan” club, and he was a supporter of both Richard Nixon and the Vietnam War, despite the fact that he took a student deferment rather than serving in the military during the conflict. Allen has had a long affinity for parading around the flag of the former Confederacy, he attributes it to a rebellious attitude from his youth; this and language he reportedly used in the past has caused a large controversy about apparent racism.

After receiving his JD, Allen clerked for a federal judge and opened his own law practice in Charlottesville, Virginia. Quickly, he found zeal to hold public office, and ran for the Virginia House of Delegates in 1979. He lost, but ran again in 1981, and won. He held the same seat once occupied by Thomas Jefferson, representing a district in Albemarle County. Allen had a noose hanging from a ficus tree in his office, something that critics claim was racially insensitive, but Allen says it was a symbol testifying to his hard stance on crime. He held the seat in the House of Delegates until 1991.

On November 5, 1991, Allen won a special election for Virginia’s 7^th District in the US House of Representatives. The incumbent, D. French Slaughter, Jr., had resigned due to a series of strokes. However, his career in the House was a short one, because his district was eliminated (despite the fact that Virginia gained one additional seat in the House) after redistricting, which reflected the 1990 census.

Allen was elected Governor of Virginia in 1993, “receiving more votes than any other candidate for Governor before or since.” (georgeallen.com) Virginian governors are limited to one term in office, and Allen’s term was one of widespread reform. Such reforms include a much tougher stance on crime, including the abolishment of parole and “adoption of truth in sentencing” programs. (georgeallen.com) Allen also passed welfare reform, calling for a maximum of two years of state assistance. He cut 9000 jobs from the state government, reduced taxes for federal retirees and put in place rigorous educational requirements. Minority groups again called him a racist: he opposed the creation of a holiday for Martin Luther King, Jr., but announced that the month of April was “Confederate History and Heritage Month.”

In February 1998, Allen left government and worked for a law firm, which paid him 450,000 dollars for services rendered between January 1999 and April 2000. In addition, Allen was on the board of directors for two companies, and advised a third. The companies mostly were flops; however, one of them, Xybernaut, is Allen’s largest contributor for his 2006 Senate run. Twice Allen did not fully disclose stock transactions to the Security and Exchange Commission.

Allen was elected to the US Senate in November 2000—he was the only Republican to unseat a Democrat that year: Chuck Robb, the son-in-law of former President Lyndon Johnson, had occupied the seat. In 2002, he was elected by his party to be the Chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which oversaw a gain of four Republican seats in the Senate in the 2004 election cycle. Allen is a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee and the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Allen’s tenure in the Senate has been a colorful one. He has introduced many notable bills, most of which are conservative in nature and ideology. He proposed a line-item veto, a Constitutional Amendment requiring a balanced budget, a Paycheck Penalty, which would withhold paychecks from members of Congress until a budget was passed for the following fiscal year. Allen has also tried to quell the criticism surrounding his reported racism by co-sponsoring a resolution apologizing for the lack of legislation concerning lynching, despite 5,000 deaths from 1882 to 1968.

James H. “Jim” Webb

Challenger Jim Webb, Democrat, was born on February 9, 1946, to a military family in Saint Joseph, Missouri. He descends from Scots-Irish Americans who emigrated from Northern Ireland in the early 1700s. Webb’s father was a career officer in the US Air Force: he served in the Second World War flying B-17s and B-29s, participated in the Berlin Airlift and was involved in several missile programs. Due to the nature of his father’s military background, Webb moved around a lot, ultimately attending more than a dozen schools in the United States and England.

Webb went to the University of Southern California (USC) on a Naval ROTC scholarship, and he was a member of the Delta Chi fraternity. He transferred to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1964, where he was a member of the Brigade Honor Committee. He graduated from the academy in 1968, along with infamous General Oliver North. After graduating, he chose a commission in the Marine Corps, “and was one of 18 in his class of 841 to receive the Superintendent's Commendation for outstanding leadership contributions while a midshipman,” (webbforsenate.com). He was first in his class at Basic Training School for the Marines, and he served with the Fifth Marine Regiment in Viet Nam. For his service, he received the “Navy Cross, the Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Star Medals, and two Purple Hearts,” (webbforsenate.com). He then taught at the Marines Officers Candidates School, and left the Marines in 1972.

After his military service, Webb spent the next three years at Georgetown Law School, and he wrote his first book: Micronesia and U.S. Pacific Strategy. He spent the next ten years in public service. After graduation, Webb worked on the House Committee for Veterans Affairs from 1977 to 1981, and worked pro-bono on behalf of veterans. Webb's first novel, 1978's Fields of Fire, was notable because he drew on personal experiences to write it. Webb also faced widespread criticism for a report he wrote in 1979 called “Women Can't Fight,” which women cadets say helped create a hostile atmosphere for them at the US Naval Academy.

Webb was the first Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs from 1984 to 1987 and then he was promoted to the Cabinet position of Secretary of the Navy, where he served from 1987 to 1988 during the Reagan Administration. During his tenure, Webb sought to reform a demoralized and distraught Marine Corps. Webb hired Al Gray as Commandant of the Marines to oversee the process. Webb received multiple awards for his military and professional career, including the Distinguished Public Service Medal. Webb resigned from the position due to his opposition to reducing the size of the Navy. During this time, he wrote two books: 1981’s A Sense of Honor and 1983’s A Country Such as This. Webb went back to private life for the 1990s, and wrote more books: A Sense of Honor in 1995 and The Emperor's General is 1999.

Webb wrote the screenplay for the 2000 film Rules of Engagement. He rushed back to the public theater with an op-ed in 2004 in USA Today calling the War in Iraq “the greatest strategic blunder in modern memory,” (usatoday.com). The op-ed examined the service of the candidates for President, from the perspective of veterans: Webb said that Kerry was wrong for joining the Viet Nam Vets Against the War, but Bush was worse for using his father’s connections to avoid combat. He voiced his opposition to the war from the very start, and he has not wavered from that position.

D. The Campaigns

Primary Campaigns

Jim Webb declared his candidacy for US Senate in February 2006. He said in an interview that his campaign was not a long-planned one because “I don’t wake up in the morning wanting to be a U.S. senator” (“Reagan Secretary Run”) Webb entered the race because he wants to change the direction of US foreign policy, according to an interview cited in an article in the February 8, 2006 Washington Post. Webb’s military background and emphasis on foreign policy brought a new dynamic to the race for Virginia.

Webb’s opposition came from that of IT Lobbyist Harris Miller, who had announced his candidacy months earlier. (“N. Va. Lobbyist”) Miller wanted to run on a campaign against partisanship, preferring instead to look towards the future. In March, former Virginia Governor Mark Warner (who at the time was pursuing a possible run for the presidency) attended a fundraiser for Miller, but only because Miller was the only officially announced Democratic candidate. Warner stressed that this was not a formal endorsement for Miller, and that the agreement to hold the fundraiser was made before Webb entered the race. (“Invincibility Cloak”) Webb and Miller both claimed to want to run positive campaigns, where neither candidate would personally attack the other one.

Then the intra-party attacks began, despite the claim that they would not happen. On March 9, a Miller supporter attacked Webb for his reports for the Navy on women’s involvement in combat during the 1970s. Webb responded by touting his push for the advancement of women’s roles in the military when he was Secretary of the Navy under President Reagan, including the tripling of combat support jobs for women. (“Miller supporter”) March 23 saw the announcement of endorsements for each Democratic candidate: Miller received an endorsement from the Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, as well as multiple state senators from Fairfax County, and Jim Webb won a straw poll of Democrats at a fundraiser for the same Fairfax County Chairman that endorsed Miller, Gerald E. Connolly. (“Senate hopefuls”) Both candidates seeking the Democratic Party nomination for the Virginia Senate seat are running for their first elective office.

During the primary campaign, both Miller’s and Webb’s campaigns concentrated more on attacking the incumbent than on attacking each other. This was only because Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Sen. Charles Schumer (NY) warned Miller about attacking Webb. (“Chances”) Miller took Allen’s Congressional spending tactics to task, as reported in an April 10, 2006 CQ Weekly article, “Miller has dubbed the incumbent, George Allen, a ‘tax and tax and tax and spend Republican,’” (“Party Switch”). The budget deficit is an issue that resonates with fiscal conservatives, as well as the disenchanted liberals that constitute the Democratic base. Webb’s campaign was largely quiet until late April, when an April 26, 2006 Washington Post article highlights his attack on Allen as a “rubberstamp for Bush…‘voting 97 percent of the time with the president,’” (“Webb Opens Race”). In the speech quoted, Webb did not even mention the primary or his opponent Miller once, choosing instead to focus on the president, the war, and the Republican opponent, Allen. By attacking the incumbent, and not each other, the candidates presented a united front against the Republican opposition.

May saw an increase in the intensity of the campaigns, as primary day loomed closer. On May 1, examination of the candidates’ past became major news. The Richmond-Times Dispatch reported that Jim Webb called affirmative action “state sponsored racism,” something that Richmond’s first black mayor—State Senator Harry Marsh—found offensive. Further, Webb delivered a speech in which he praised Confederate General Robert E. Lee; the campaign responded that the speech should be seen in the context of Webb’s support for his Scots-Irish heritage, and not as support for the Confederacy, despite a simmering scandal about flagrant support for the Confederacy by George Allen. (“Webb speech praised Confederate”) Webb’s campaign announced that Retired General, and former head of Central Command (CENTCOM), Anthony Zinni endorsed his candidacy. (“Retired generals”)

As the primary campaign unfolded for the Democrats, there was no primary election for the Republican Party for the US Senate Seat, as Allen ran unopposed. This allowed him to spend more time in Congress and to campaign for the general election. However, this also placed the target directly on Allen for the opposition. Allen was expected to win back his seat in a cakewalk and use this election as a stepping-stone towards a presidential run in 2008, but revelations about Allen’s past reached the national stage as the race became increasingly close.

More endorsements were announced by both campaigns (Webb and Miller) on May 11. The Associated Press reported major endorsements of Webb by national figures, including the current and former Minority Leaders of the Senate, Harry Reid (Nev.) and Tom Daschle (SD). Also endorsing Webb were Democratic Sens. Tim Johnson (SD), Ken Salazar (Col.) and Christopher Dodd (CT). (“US Senate Dems”) Miller got endorsements from more local Democrats, including Delegates Adam P. Ebbin of Alexandria and Robert H. Brink of Arlington, Mark D. Sickles of Fairfax, state Sen. Mamie Locke of Hampton, former Del. Albert Pollard of Lancaster, state Sen. Mark R. Herring of Loudoun and Del. C. Chuck Caputo of Fairfax. The race for Virginia’s Democratic nomination was getting tighter.

The Virginia Democratic Party was divided over who to nominate to run against George Allen: Webb had the backing of the national establishment, but the party hardliners and local activists were pulling for Miller. Financial disclosures were printed on May 17 for both candidates, and the candidates are each millionaires, which was not surprising considering the candidates’ respective backgrounds, that of an author and screenwriter, and an IT lobbyist. (“Webb, Miller submit data”) The candidates debated on May 20, and it got heated. The Washington Post reported that the debate started calmly, but quickly “turned nasty, with Miller questioning Webb's partisan ‘values’ and Webb noting that Miller had been called by some people ‘the antichrist of outsourcing’” (“Sen. Candidates Bicker.”) The attacks from each side were personal. However, each candidate did agree to support the other if the other won the primary election.

The beginning of June brought the last moments of the primary campaign. The Washington Post followed both Miller and Webb as they went on get-out-the-vote missions, and two vastly different campaigns were presented: Miller went door-to-door looking for votes, while Webb attended rallies and parades, speaking to supporters. (“Miller's Road”) (“Webb Plunges”) During the last days, reports from local and national newsmedia disclosed fundraising numbers, which said that Miller donated 500,000 dollars of his own money to ensure a victory, as well as the 199,000 dollars he raised; Webb raised 294,000 dollars. (“Calls For More Cash”) Historically, turnout is extremely low in Virginia for primary elections, so each vote is absolutely crucial to the candidates.

Primary day was June 13, and Democratic voters decided to nominate Jim Webb to run for the US Senate Seat representing Virginia. This was due, in part, to an unusual endorsement from DSCC Chair Chuck Schumer, who joined in the national chorus of support for Jim Webb. (“Webb Unusual support”). Schumer’s endorsement led to a rapid decrease in fundraising by the DSCC, as members were extremely angry with the committee supporting a former Reagan official. (“Schumer Endorsement”). Turnout was forecasted to be light by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, and they were correct. Only 155,784 votes were cast in the Virginia primary, a 3 percent turnout. (http://sbe.virginiainteractive.org/june2006/) Webb was nominated by an extremely small number of party activists seething over the war and looking to reach out to moderates and independents, often overlooked groups in primary elections that generally play to the extremes.

General Election Campaigns

Immediately, Webb began to focus on Allen, his Republican opponent. Webb had endorsed Allen in 2000, but he said throughout the campaign that he regrets his decision and is still looking for one example of leadership from George Allen. (“Webb Wins”) Voters chose electability over party allegiance in the primary, but Democrats still thought there was no real race in Virginia: Allen was still quite popular, and confidence in his defeat was low. (“Electability vs. Allegiance”)

Newsmedia coverage of the race was relegated to the metro pages of the Washington Post, as well as other local newspapers, but after the primary, national coverage slightly increased. The Webb campaign began to talk directly about issues, most specifically about Iraq, which would become the defining issue of the election. Webb’s plan for solving the crisis in Iraq does not call for a deadline, which differs from most Democratic officials. “[He] said during [a] telephone conference from his Arlington County headquarters that ‘setting a date certain is not the way to go,’’’ (“Webb Diverges”). Webb announced that much of his campaign would be devoted to luring independents and disillusioned Republicans into voting for the Democrat.

Polls throughout late June indicated a landslide victory for Senator Allen. On June 20, 2006, Rasmussen released a poll that showed Allen leading Webb 51 percent to 41 percent. (http://rasmussenreports.com) SurveyUSA released a poll on June 28, 2006 that said 56 percent of likely voters would vote for Allen, with only 36 percent only voting for Webb. (http://www.surveyusa.com) Despite the low numbers, Democrats wanted to appear united against the Republican opposition, and after the primary, former Governor Mark Warner formally endorsed Webb’s campaign. Meanwhile, Allen’s campaign manager, in the same article, attacked the legitimacy of the Webb campaign, saying, “‘Jim Webb got nominated on the strength of 1.8 percent of the Virginia electorate,’” (“Warner Promises Webb Support”). The race was beginning to get ugly, but it would only get much, much worse.

July was a largely quiet month for both campaigns, with both sides attacking each other on Iraq, Bush’s foreign policy and levels of personal patriotism. (“Webb and Allen Trade Barbs”) The article cites attacks over flag burning, as the Allen campaign attacked Webb’s opposition to an amendment banning the burning of the flag. This accusation was met with a visceral response, with Webb’s camp accusing Allen of questioning the patriotism of a Viet Nam War hero. Poll numbers were still not very close, with Allen polling 50 percent of likely voters in an updated edition of the Rasmussen poll. Webb only captured 39 percent in the same poll. (http://rasmussenreports.com)

August 11, 2006, was the day the ground shook, the earth moved, and the Virginia Senate race became a competitive one. August 11, 2006, will forever be the day a new word entered the American lexicon: macaca. The word, according to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, means “a genus of Old World monkeys,” (“macaca,”) but it also was used by French speakers in North Africa as a racial epithet against indigenes. The word was used by Senator Allen at a campaign stop in southwestern Virginia, during a speech to Republican supporters. Webb has an aide following the Allen campaign, capturing everything on film, and this aide is an American citizen with an Indian background. The aide’s name is S.R. Sidarth, and during the speech, Senator Allen pointed a finger at him and said:

This fellow here over here with the yellow shirt, Macaca, or whatever his name is. He's with my opponent. He's following us around everywhere. And it's just great. We're going to places all over Virginia, and he's having it on film and it's great to have you here and you show it to your opponent because he's never been there and probably will never come. [...] Let's give a welcome to Macaca, here. Welcome to America and the real world of Virginia. (youtube.com)

Sidarth was the only nonwhite person in attendance at the rally. A firestorm ensued, mostly on broadcast newsmedia and on the blogosphere. Left- wing blogs called it another example of Allen’s racism. However, print newsmedia followed, and the Washington Post reported on a building debate over accusations of racism by Allen, and even Republicans saying the comments were “foolish,” (“Allen on Damage Control.”) The episode brought back the charges of racism from his past, including the adornment of a Confederate flag and a noose in his law office.

The “macaca” episode did not die easily, or quietly. The controversy brought new national attention to the election, and a much closer race between the candidates. Allen’s bungled responses to the episode also had a lot to do with the enduring spectacle of the story itself. The race took until August 16, 2006 to reach the New York Times, and the response was a large part of the article. Allen apologized, but said that he did not know the meaning of the word when he used it. (“Senator Says”) Allen’s communications director claimed that he meant to say “Mohawk,” in reference to Sidarth’s hairstyle, but that Allen messed up the language. Then he claimed he had never heard it before, and that he simply made the word up. The National Journal wrote a briefing on the word, and its apparent intentional usage by Allen:

According to two Republicans who heard the word used, "macaca" was a mash-up of "Mohawk," referring to Sidarth's distinctive hair, and "caca," Spanish slang for excrement, or "shit." Said one Republican close to the campaign: "In other words, he was a shit-head, an annoyance." (nationaljournal.com)

All of the analysis notwithstanding, Allen called Sidarth and apologized to him directly. (“Allen Calls Webb Aide”) Not surprisingly, the race became a lot closer, with an updated Rasmussen poll saying that Allen’s lead shrunk to 5 percentage points, 47 percent to Webb’s 42 percent. (http://rasmussenreports.com) Allen’s remark cost him the security of a safe race, and may have permanently hurt his thinly veiled aspirations for the presidency.

After the apology, the campaigns kicked into high gear. President Bush attended a fundraiser for Allen, as reported by the Los Angeles Times, saying that the American people should accept his apology. (“Bush Raises Money”) The race was now international news: London’s Financial Times reported on the Rasmussen poll that showed Allen’s lead slipping quickly, due to his remark in Southwestern Virginia. (“Senator's racial slur”) International perspective highlighted the growing importance of the race: the VA Senate seat may swing control of the US Senate over to the Democrats. Allen had a tremendous financial advantage over Webb, and an August 31, 2006 Washington Post article stated that he made a major ad buy, putting two advertisements in every media market in all of Virginia, including the expensive Washington, DC market. Allen had, as of June, 6.6 million dollars; while Webb only had 424,000 dollars. (“Allen Deploys Financial Edge”) This ad buy was not in response to the remarks made by Allen, his campaign manager said. Nevertheless, the remarks led to slumping poll numbers, including Webb’s first lead, albeit one within the margin of error: in a Zogby/Wall Street Journal poll released August 27, 2006, which had Webb leading 47.9 percent to 46.6 percent. (http://online.wsj.com)

Labor Day is the kickoff to the final stretch before Election Day, and the Allen and Webb campaigns followed suit. September 7, 2006 saw the debut of Jim Webb’s first ad against Allen: it was a positive 30-second tribute to Webb by former President Ronald Reagan, lifted from a speech from 1985, when Webb was serving as Reagan’s Secretary of the Navy. For Webb to use Reagan’s words in an advertisement, it amounts to a de facto endorsement of Webb by Reagan, something vehemently denied by Allen, who fashions himself as a Jeffersonian and Reagan conservative. Allen himself has an image of Reagan on his campaign website. It only cost 100,000 dollars, and was scheduled to run in only three media markets for a limited time. (“Television Ad Shows Reagan”) The ad was controversial for other reasons as well: former First Lady Nancy Reagan asked the Webb campaign to pull the ad. The chief of staff of the Reagan Library faxed a letter asking for the ad to be pulled because an “[implied] endorsement is neither fair nor respectful of any candidate, certainly not after President Reagan's death” (“Nancy Reagan Asks”). The article also says that the response by the Reagan family may have raised the profile of the ad, further hurting whatever case they had made about the ad in the first place.

On September 9, 2006, Allen attended an “ethnic rally” sponsored by Fairfax County Republicans for the last several years. The rally was covered by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, which said that there was approximately 350 people in attendance. Allen spoke in multiple languages to the crowd, most of which are immigrants that speak English as a second language. Protesters outside the event claimed the attendance was mostly white. (“Allen holds 'ethnic rally'”) On September 13, 2006, the Allen campaign announced an endorsement from a notable Virginia black Democrat: “State Sen. Benjamin J. Lambert III (Richmond) praised Allen in a letter on his senate stationery released yesterday by the Allen campaign,” (“Black Democrat Says.”) This is especially notable for two reasons: Lambert had reservations about Webb’s stance on affirmative action, and Allen can use the endorsement of a black Democrat to dispute questions on his racism.

September 13, 2006 was a turning point for the Allen campaign against Webb, but it was not nearly as damaging as Allen’s macaca debacle. Allen began a vicious character attack against Webb, discussing Webb’s past reports on women in combat roles for the Navy, including an article Webb wrote for a 1979 issue of the Washingtonian, in which Webb said that women do not belong in combat, and that a coed barracks would be a “horny women’s dream” (“Va. Senate Race Goes Negative.”) Webb issued a statement of apology, saying that he was sorry for any undue hardship he caused women because of his report. Further, the article reports that Webb’s campaign also went on the offensive, claiming that Allen committed a similar act, accusing him of opposing the admission of women into the Virginia Military Institute. The issue of the role of women has plagued Webb throughout the campaign since, though not to the same extent as Allen’s issues on racism.

On September 17, 2006, the candidates sat for a debate on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” a Sunday morning talk show moderated by Tim Russert, who is known to sometimes be an aggressive questioner. The debate centered mostly on the defining issue of the campaign, that of the Iraq war, which Webb called an “incredible strategic blunder of historic proportions” and said that the US should move its troops to friendly Arab nations, as well as consult Iraq’s neighbors on what the next course of action should be. (“Meet The Press”) Allen defended the military action, saying that Saddam had violated 17 UN Security Council Revolutions, and that the world is safer with Hussein no longer in power. During the nationally televised debate, Webb had to defend his statements on women in the military, which he said was good at the time to contribute to the debate, but he has changed his views, and is now comfortable with the role of women in the military. Allen had to defend his possession and brandishing of the Confederate flag throughout his youth and the presence of a noose in his law office, which he attributed to an anti-establishment and rebellious attitude, if he could do it over again, he said he would not have used those symbols of rebellion. The next day, September 18, 2006, the candidates debated again, this time in a hotel ballroom filled to capacity in Northern Virginia; it was sponsored by the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce, moderated by George Stephanopoulos of ABC News, and televised locally, as well as on C-SPAN. The candidates were as combative as the day before, and analysts believe that neither candidate moved very far in the polls from each debate. (“Only N. Va. Debate”)

After the debates, controversy slammed the Allen campaign again. Senator Allen had refused to answer a question during a debate about his alleged Jewish heritage, and Allen mentioned his father being incarcerated by Nazis during the Second World War, a W-USA reporter asked Allen to confirm the rumor that his grandparents were Jewish. Allen responded brusquely, in two separate statements, one to the Jewish Daily Forward on September 19, saying that he doesn’t believe his religious lineage is relevant (“Allen Confirms Mother’s Jewish Roots,”) and another to the Richmond Times-Dispatch on September 20, saying “I still had a ham sandwich for lunch. And my mother made great pork chops” (“Allen tells.”) Allen’s response fed fuel to the fire that he is an intolerant person, and the story raced around the national newsmedia in the coming days, casting Allen as angry about his heritage.

Both candidates caught fire for using epithets in their respective pasts, but one stuck, and the other one did not. After the macaca and Jewish heritage scandals, revelations began to pile on Allen about his usage of racial epithets throughout his youth, including his time playing football for the University of Virginia. (“Allen used ‘N-word’”) Three unrelated independent reports of the use of the word “nigger” by Allen surfaced, one claiming that he used the word in everyday language, again adding to the criticism of Allen’s insensitivity towards racial matters. When questioned on the subject, Webb never denied using the word itself, as evidenced by its widespread use in Webb’s book Fields of Fire, but he defiantly told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that he never directed the word towards anyone. (“Webb 'never directed’”) The campaigns and the newsmedia focused on racial issues for both candidates, but more notably Allen, for weeks. Both candidates have used controversial language to denigrate groups of people by sex, race, and/or religion in the past, and each candidate attempted to attack the other for committing the act. A poll conducted at the end of October by Mason Dixon/MSNBC had the race at a dead heat, with both Allen and Webb each receiving 43 percent of the vote, and 12 percent undecided. (MasonDixon/MSNBC)

With the beginning of the month of October came a new emphasis by both campaigns to stop attacking each other’s character, and to start focusing again on the issues. Allen started the change by producing an unprecedented two-minute ad in which he “acknowledged that he has been sidetracked by the questions about his racial and ethnic sensitivity but said he wants to talk about ‘real issues’ with his opponent” (“Allen Seeks To Refocus”). The ad goes on to remind voters about his actions as governor—and of his attempt to do the same in the Senate. He reiterated his support for the war in Iraq, but said he wants the troops to come home soon, in victory, not defeat. Webb quickly responded, putting out a 30-second ad featuring women saying that they have benefited from Webb’s policies from his time as Secretary of the Navy. The Webb campaign announced that they had raised 3.5 million dollars between July and September, putting the campaign in excellent position during the final month of the campaign. (“Webb's Fundraising Soars”)

October 8, 2006, was another day of scandal for the Allen campaign. The Associated Press reported that Allen neglected to report his ownership of stock in two companies: one for which he worked as director, and the other he advised the Army to help. Senate rules require full disclosure of stock options to avoid any conflicts of interests. Further, the rules state that senators should not engage in any activity that may benefit them financially. Allen played down the seriousness of the report: he claimed he didn’t make any money, so the campaign wondered why the lack of disclosure mattered at all. Nevertheless, an October 10, 2006 report from the Washington Post states that Allen requested an opinion from the Senate Ethics Committee. (“Senator Requests Opinion”)

The candidates debated for the last time on Monday, October 9, 2006. Once again, the candidates clashed over issues, this time in a debate televised statewide, however, issues seemed to rise above character attacks keeping the debate crisp, fast-paced and informative. “In rapid-fire succession, the candidates sparred over energy independence, immigration, the federal deficit, the Capitol Hill page scandal, the minimum wage and secret spying by the government,” (“Slashing, Wide-Ranging Debate”). The article analyzed the style of the debate and how it impacted the candidates: Allen appeared more comfortable, looking into the eyes of the audience; while Webb kept looking down at his notes, and wasn’t nearly as smooth, but was aggressive as ever. The debate also allowed the candidates to directly address each other, which often created chaotic situations in which the moderator had to intervene. Prior to the debate, it appeared that Allen had reopened his lead over Webb, with a Reuters/Zogby poll on October 5 giving Allen an 11-percentage point advantage, 48 percent to 37 percent. (http://www.zogby.com) After the debate, however, a Washington Post poll, out October 15, indicated that the race was again a statistical dead heat, with Allen leading Webb 49 percent to 47 percent. (“Virtual Tie”)

The race in Virginia between Webb and Allen had quickly come under the national spotlight. Naturally, the major players from each party followed, conducting fundraising for their party’s candidates. The USA Today of October 20, 2006 reported that current President George W. Bush came to fundraise for Allen, while former President Bill Clinton came on behalf of Webb; each came to the state to fire up their respective partisan bases. (“Race in Va. draws biggest fundraisers”) With both major leaders making appearances, analysts believed that there would be no net effect for either party, as Clinton and Bush essentially cancelled each other out.

Scandal broke again in Virginia on October 24, 2006. The Washington Post reported that Jim Webb’s last name was cut off the electronic ballots used in Alexandria, Falls Church and Charlottesville because of a computer glitch. Though this will not affect actual votes, election officials claimed, it could still confuse voters. Webb’s name will only appear as “James H. ‘Jim’” on the machines—showing only his first name and his nickname. (“Electronic Ballots Chop Off Names”) The Webb campaign was incensed by the revelation, though every name on the ballots has been affected, including the hiding of Allen’s party affiliation. The article states that the display of longer names has been an issue since the locality purchased the machines in 2002. Polls released within two weeks before Election Day show, once again, a dead heat: Rasmussen released a poll on October 27 that has Allen leading Webb 49 percent to 48 percent (Rasmussenreports.com), and CNN/Opinion Research Group has Webb, on October 31, leading Allen 50 percent to 46 percent. (CNN.com)

Scandal has pervaded the entire campaign, and as it entered its final week, the scandals continued. Allen, with the aid of the conservative Drudge Report, released excerpts of Webb’s novels. The excerpts are said to be racy and demeaning to women, according to the Allen campaign. Webb vigorously defended himself, saying that Republicans have written racy, controversial novels, and calling the attack a smear campaign. Webb said he was proud of his writing. (“Webb Fervently Defends”) Heading into the final weekend, both campaigns spent millions on an ad blitz, with the Democrats spending 2.6 million dollars, and the Republicans spending over 1 million dollars. (“Millions Spent”).

With the home stretch of November, the battle became physical. A Democratic activist who attended an Allen campaign event verbally confronted the candidate was shoved, put into a headlock and thrown to the ground by three Allen supporters, all of which were sporting Allen campaign stickers. The activist identified himself as W. Michael Stark, a University of Virginia law student. He yelled a question concerning the treatment of Allen’s first wife, who Allen had reportedly spit on; an unsubstantiated rumor on the subject was flying around the liberal blogs recently. (“Democratic Activist Claims Abuse”) Allen aides claimed it was a stunt by the Webb campaign to bring the issue to national attention, but Webb aides say Stark has no connection with Webb or the campaign whatsoever. Stark was detained November 4, after he claimed that he was abused at another Allen rally.

The final weekend of the campaign featured a return to issues. Both candidates took to the stump in an attempt to sure up votes for Election Day. Taxes were the talk of November 2: Allen claimed to want to eliminate them as he says Webb would raise them; Webb spoke about the increasing gap between the rich and the poor. (“Back to the Issues”) Women may be the deciding factor in the race: the gender gap does not seem to apply to this Senate Race, as polling shows that the candidates are even amongst women voters. (Women May Make the Difference) Neither candidate is assured a victory; every poll has the race too close to call.

E. Conclusion

This Senate race may be the most closely scrutinized statewide election in national history. With macaca-gate, the American lexicon has a new word, and Senator George Allen has a new national identity, that of a racially insensitive candidate, prone to gaffes. His chances for running for President in 2008 may be permanently destroyed; the best he can do is try to salvage a victory in this race. I think that it is a miracle that Allen still has a fighting chance, given all of the missteps and mistakes in his campaign: it is a testament to how popular the affable son of a football coach really is. This Senate seat is probably the deciding one in whether the Democrats take control of the Upper House of the Legislature, and I believe that James Webb will eke out a slim victory.

Works Cited

“Macaca.” Merriam-Webster’s Medical Dictionary, 2002

“MSNBC-McClatchy Virginia Poll 9/06.” Mason Dixon/MSNBC. 2 Oct. 2006. 5 Nov. 2006.

“Reuters/Zogby Poll: Dems Lead GOP Incumbents in Three Key Senate Races; Control of Chamber Still Uncertain.” Zogby International. 5 Oct. 2006. 5 Nov. 2006.

“Virginia (state).” Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia. 1997-2006 Microsoft Corporation. 1 Oct 2006.

“Virginia Senate Debate.” Meet The Press. NBC. WNBC-TV, Washington. 17 Sept. 2006

Associated Press. “U.S. Senate Dem leaders endorse Webb.” The Associated Press. 11 May 2006. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Atkinson, Frank B. The Dynamic Dominion: Realignment and the Rise of Virginia’s Republican Party Since 1945. Fairfax: George Mason University Press, 1992

Barnes, Robert and Chris Cillizza. “Virginia's Webb Gets Unusual Support;
Senate Campaign Chief Cites Hope Of Beating Allen.” Washington Post. 8 June 2006. B01. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Barnes, Robert and Michael D. Shear. “Allen and Webb in Virtual Tie, Post Poll Says; Northern Virginia Voters' Views Differ From Rest of Commonwealth.” Washington Post. 15 Oct. 2006. A01. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Barnes, Robert. “Democrats See Allen's Invincibility Cloak Loosening.” Washington Post. 8 Mar 2006. B05. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

---. “Webb Opens Race to Replace Allen; Ex-Reagan Aide Criticizes Ethics in Washington, Iraq War.” Washington Post. 26 Apr 2006. B02. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

---. “Webb Plunges Into Politics; Senate Race Transforms Former Marine's Memorial Day.” Washington Post. 2 June 2006. B01. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Cillizza, Chris. “Schumer Gets Cold Shoulder for Endorsement.” Washington Post. 13 June 2006. A09. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

CNN/Opinion Research Corporation. “CNN Poll 10/31/2006.” CNN.com. 31 Oct. 2006. 5 Nov 2006.

Craig, Tim and Michael D. Shear. “Allen Deploys Financial Edge, Begins TV Blitz.” Washington Post. 31 Aug. 2006. B01. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Craig, Tim and Michael D. Shear. “Senate Candidates Take On Domestic Issues; Debate Is Only One Planned in N.Va..” Washington Post. 19 Sept. 2006. B01. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Craig, Tim and Michael D. Shear. “Webb Fervently Defends Novels; Allen Is Accused Of 'Smear Tactics'.” Washington Post. 29 Oct. 2006. C01. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Craig, Tim. “Allen Seeks To Refocus Campaign in 2-Minute Ad.” Washington Post. 3 Oct. 2006. B01. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Forward Staff. “Senator Allen Confirms Mother’s Jewish Roots.” The Jewish Daily Forward. 19 Sept. 2006. 5 Nov 2006.

Friends of George Allen. About George Allen. 2006. 6 Nov 2006.

Gardner, Amy. “A Choice of Electability vs. Allegiance; Vote in Senate Primary Often Came Down to Core Decision.” Washington Post. 14 June 2006. B01. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Gottman, Jean. Virginia in Our Century. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1955

Hardin, Peter and Jeff E. Schairo. “Allen tells of his Jewish heritage / He acknowledges he knew of his lineage when faulting a reporter for her question.” Richmond Times-Dispatch. A1. 20 Sept. 2006. 5 Nov 2006.

Hardin, Peter. “Retired generals endorse Senate-hopeful Webb.” Richmond Times-Dispatch. B7. 4 May 2006. 5 Nov 2006.

---. “Webb, Miller submit data on their assets / The two Democrats seeking to challenge Allen are millionaires.” Richmond Times-Dispatch. B3. 17 May 2006. 5 Nov 2006.

Havemann, Joel. “Bush Raises Money for Sen. Allen Amid Uproar.” Los Angeles Times. 24 Aug. 2006. A14. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Jackson, David. “Senate race in Va. draws biggest fundraisers; Bush, Clinton make separate appearances for candidates.” USA Today. A4. 20 Oct. 2006. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

James Webb for Senate. Jim Webb for US Senate: Biography. 2006. 6 Nov 2006.

Jenkins, Chris L.. “Webb Diverges on Leaving Iraq; Democrat Differs With Some in Party on Setting a Deadline.” Washington Post. 17 June 2006. B02. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

---. “Warner Promises Webb Support Of United Party.” Washington Post. 30 June 2006. B01. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Martin, Jonathan and Marc Ambinder. “A New Explanation For ‘Macaca?’” National Journal: The Hotline. 16 Aug. 2006. National Journal. 5 Nov. 2006

Rasmussen Reports. Public Opinion Poll: Virginia Senate 06/16/06. 20 June 2006. 5 Nov 2006.

Rasmussen Reports. Public Opinion Poll: Virginia Senate 07/27/06. 27 July 2006. 5 Nov 2006.

Rasmussen Reports. Public Opinion Poll: Virginia Senate 10/27/06. 27 Oct. 2006. 5 Nov 2006.

Rasmussen Reports. Public Opinion Poll: Virginia Senate 8/17/06. 17 Aug. 2006. 5 Nov 2006.

Rishnamurthy, Kiran. “Webb says he never directed slur at anyone / But Senate candidate can't say he has never used the racial epithet.” Richmond Times-Dispatch. A1. 27 Sept. 2006. 5 Nov 2006.

Santos, Carlos. “Allen holds 'ethnic rally' / He combats recent stumble by reaching out to diverse group.” Richmond Times-Dispatch. A8. 10 Sept. 2006. 5 Nov 2006.

Scherer, Michael. “Teammates: Allen used ‘N-word’ in college.” Salon.com 24 Sept. 2006. 5 Nov. 2006.

Sevastopulo, Demetri. “Senator's racial slur could hand Virginia to the Democrats.” Financial Times (London). 25 Aug. 2006. World 7. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Shear, Michael D and Matthew Mosk. “Va., Md. Senate Camps Dig Deep; Millions Spent On TV Ad Blitz.” Washington Post. 1 Nov. 2006. A01. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Shear, Michael D and Tim Craig. “Allen on Damage Control After Remarks to Webb Aide.” Washington Post. 16 Aug. 2006. A01. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Shear, Michael D and Tim Craig. “Allen Calls Webb Aide, Apologizes For Remark.” Washington Post. 24 Aug. 2006. A01. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Shear, Michael D and Tim Craig. “Nancy Reagan Asks Webb to Pull Ad With Her Husband.” Washington Post. 9 Sept. 2006. B01. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Shear, Michael D and Tim Craig. “Va. Senate Race Goes Negative on 1979 Essay;
Women Didn't Belong At Annapolis, Webb Said.” Washington Post. 14 Sept. 2006. A01. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Shear, Michael D and Tim Craig. “With Allen's Help, Webb's Fundraising Soars.” Washington Post. 5 Oct. 2006. B05. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Shear, Michael D and Tim Craig. “Allen, Webb in Slashing, Wide-Ranging Debate.” Washington Post. 10 Oct. 2006. A01. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Shear, Michael D and Tim Craig. “Democratic Activist Claims Abuse by Allen's Staffers.” Washington Post. 1 Nov. 2006. A08. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Shear, Michael D and Tim Craig. “For Allen and Webb, It's Back to the Issues.” Washington Post. 2 Nov. 2006. B01. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Shear, Michael D. “N.Va. Lobbyist Declares Candidacy for U.S. Senate.” Washington Post. 10 Jan 2006. B05. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

---. “Reagan Navy Secretary Will Run for U.S. Senate.” Washington Post. 8 Feb 2006. B05. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

---. “Senate Candidates in Va. Bicker Over Party Loyalty.” Washington Post. 20 May 2006. B01. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

---. “Webb, Miller Beef Up Calls For More Cash.” Washington Post. 1 June 2006. B02. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

---. “Miller's Road To Senate Goes Door-to-Door; Fairfax Democrat Prospects For Precious Primary Votes.” Washington Post. 1 June 2006. B01. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

---. “Webb Wins Democratic Nomination In Virginia; Ex-Republican to Face Allen for U.S. Senate.” Washington Post. 14 June 2006. A01. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

---. “Webb and Allen Trade Barbs Over Who's the Bigger Patriot.” Washington Post. 13 July 2006. T05. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

---. “Television Ad Shows Reagan Praising Webb In 1985 Speech.” Washington Post. 8 Sept. 2006. B08. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

---. “Black Democrat Says He Will Back Allen, Not Webb.” Washington Post. 13 Sept. 2006. B05. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

---. “Allen Missed Filings For Stock Options; Senator Requests Ethics Panel Opinion.” Washington Post. 10 Oct. 2006. B01. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Smith, Leef. “Va. Electronic Ballots Chop Off Names of Candidates; Glitch Affects Alexandria, Falls Church, Charlottesville.” Washington Post. 24 Oct. 2006. B01. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Stout, David. “Senator Says He Meant No Insult by Remark.” New York Times. A14. 16 Aug. 2006. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

SurveyUSA. Results of SurveyUSA Poll#9622. 28 June 2006. 5 Nov 2006.

Toner, Robin. “In Bruising Virginia Senate Fight, Women May Make the Difference.” 3 Nov 2006. A1. Lexisnexis. Hofstra University Libraries, Hempstead, NY. 5 Nov 2006.

Van Dongen, Rachel. “Party Switch: Democrats Blast GOP on Deficits.” CQ Weekly. 10 Apr 2006. 5 Nov 2006. < http://library.cqpress.com/>

Virginia Board of Elections. Primary Election June 13, 2006. 14 June 2006. 5 Nov 2006. < http://sbe.virginiainteractive.org/june2006/d_025.htm>

Wall Street Journal. “WSJ.com” Dow Jones & Company. 27 Aug. 2006. 5 Nov 2006.

Whiley, Tyler. “Miller supporter blasts rival Webb / Ex-Navy chief's past writings become issue in U.S. Senate primary.” Richmond Times-Dispatch. B3. 9 Mar 2006. 5 Nov 2006.

---. “Senate hopefuls seek support / Democrats who want to run for Allen's seat woo leaders of N.Va” Richmond Times-Dispatch. B4. 23 Mar 2006. 5 Nov 2006.

---. “Webb speech praised Confederate Army / In 1990, the Senate hopeful spoke of forebears' sacrifices” Richmond Times-Dispatch. B1. 5 May 2006. 5 Nov 2006.

---. “Chances against Allen key in Democratic race / Harris touts the party line” Richmond Times-Dispatch. B2. 7 May 2006. 5 Nov 2006.

Youtube.com. George Allen makes demeaning comments. Google. 15 Aug. 2006 5 Nov. 2006

NEWS; DELAY SPEAKS AT NASSAU COMMUNITY

2006-11-03T08:49:00.000-05:00

Former House Majority Leader Tom Delay (R-Tex.) staunchly defended his record and his accomplishments in a speech Wednesday at Nassau Community College.

The speech was billed towards the future roles of Israel and Iran in the War on Terror, but Delay focused more on his upbringing, its influence on his view of the world and the nature of diplomatic relations between the United States and Israel.

Delay was born in Laredo, Texas, but was raised in Venezuela because of his father’s work with oil companies. This is where Delay encountered his first taste of political strife. At age 7, Delay witnessed his first revolution. “It was the source of my passion for freedom, and my hostility to unaccountable power.”

Delay defended the forces of democracy and freedom. “Free countries don’t turn weapons of mass destruction on their own people, democracies don’t systematically deny rights to enforce twisted and brutal ideologies and free nations don’t pay bounties for blood,” he said.

Most of the speech focused on the nature of diplomacy between the United States and Israel. Delay spoke of the mutual beginnings of the nations. Both were founded on faith, believe in the free market and seek peace and good relations, according to Delay.

However, Delay was critical of Israel at times. He argued that the nation was not hard enough on their Palestinian and Lebanese neighbors. They should have never left the Gaza, he said.

“Arafat was an impediment to peace,” Delay said. “Hamas is probably even worse.”

Delay said that Israel should help the Palestinians economically. “Israel should have had a Marshall Plan for the Palestinian citizens,” he said. “They should build road and build schools that don’t teach hate.”

After the half-hour speech, Delay took questions from the audience, which was crowded and largely conservative.

The U.S. will have to act militarily against Iran because of the nation’s alleged intention to acquire nuclear weapons, Delay said. “But if the United States does not act, Israel will,” he added.

When pressed on gerrymandering, Delay unwaveringly defended his actions, including his intervention in Texas in 2003, where he used the FAA to track Democratic state legislators that had fled the state instead of voting on new congressional districts.

“One man’s gerrymander is another’s good district,” he said. “The process was designed to be political.”

Delay was proud of his record in Congress. He listed what he considered accomplishments, including term limits for committee chairs, and selection of committee chairs by merit, not seniority.

Delay thought he could have changed the media. “I wanted to cut out liberal reporters from having access to the people in power,” he said. “We didn’t do a very good job of that.”

He was extremely pleased with his “K Street Project,” the name of the project Delay used to force lobbyists to hire Republicans in order to gain access to legislators. “K Street was totally Democratic,” he said. “I asked people to hire Republicans because I want my friends on K Street helping us advance our agenda.”

Delay resigned from the House of Representatives on June 9, due in part to an indictment in Texas, as well as because of his relationship with infamous superlobbyist Jack Abramoff, including the felony convictions of two of his senior staffers.

NEWS; ALUMNI SOFTBALL (JRNL 11H DIVERSITY STORY-NOT IN CHRONICLE)

2006-10-26T19:09:00.000-04:00

University alumni played current student softball players in a game Saturday afternoon; it is an annual tradition for the current team to play the alumni for the final game of the fall part of the season.

The game was a part of an alumni day of sorts for the team: prior to the game, the team ate breakfast with their senior counterparts, and after, they held a barbecued lunch.

The game is held in the fall, instead of the spring, the regular time for the season. “We get better turnout in the fall,” Janie Edwards said, the wife of current head coach Bill Edwards. “24 alumni came back this year.”

The game is also for alumni to give whatever back they can to the school from which they came. “We support coach in all he’s done for us,” said Crystal Boid, a 1994 University graduate, and a 2-time Academic All American.

The game itself was not a hotly contested one, as the alumni appeared to be having more fun than competing. However, the current student-athletes were coached to take the game seriously.

The game is also preparation for the upcoming spring season for the students. “It is part of the conditioning process,” freshman second baseman Michele DesPasquale said. “It is an honor to play the alumni, and to uphold their tradition.”

DesPasquale enjoyed playing the alumni. “I could have done better, but I had a good time and had fun [regardless],” she said.

CONCERT REVIEW; ALL AMERICAN REJECTS F/ UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF GIANTS, IMA ROBOT, DAMONE (NOT PRINTED IN CHRONICLE)

2006-10-19T22:30:00.000-04:00

Concert Review: All American Rejects f/
Under the Influence of Giants, Ima Robot, Damone

3/5

Girls screamed, guys cheered, and everyone had a ball at Adams Playhouse with the All American Rejects Thursday night.

The three opening bands seemed to take a toll on the crowd as they impatiently waited for their beloved Rejects to take the stage.

The first, Damone, sounded as they should be opening a show for either Joan Jett or Motley Crüe. The set was a headbanger-fest, with the requisite soloing and posturing by the band members. Tech problems plagued their set as well, with the vocals almost drowning out the rest of the band.

Next, Ima Robot seemed to go over the heads of many. Their noise-rock, dance-punk sound did not resonate with the crowd, despite their convincing performance. The only people that seemed to be into their music were the first five or six rows, stage center. They were rabid. The crowd was beginning to lose patience.

Lastly, Under the Influence of Giants had people dancing, but they did not fare well technologically either. The instruments sounded quite soft, giving them a sort of dead sound in the auditorium. However, more liked them than the previous performer.

Verizon Wireless sponsored the concert, and they made their presence known throughout the show.

Insignia was lit up on the curtains, two panels with their logo stood on the outside of the stage and a large screen with the Verizon logo on it displayed the names of the bands performing.

Between sets, Verizon allowed the crowd to text message onto the screen so all could see. This was quite a crowd pleaser, considering it often enflamed sports rivalries, contained shout-outs and expressions of love.

The headliners, All American Rejects, played a startlingly short 50-minute set to an adoring crowd. Their overwhelming stage presence mitigated their supreme lack of talent.

Constantly they were playing off the energy of the crowd, and vice versa. Their songs are incessantly catchy, and almost all were singing the words with reckless abandon. Highlights from the set were mostly singles, including their debut hit “Swing, Swing” and set opener “Dirty Little Secret.”

NEWS; SHIELD LAW FOR JOURNALISTS STUCK IN SENATE

2006-10-13T14:36:00.000-04:00

Proposed Shield Law for Journalists Stalled in the Senate

If passed, a law will soon protect journalists from being subpoenaed by grand juries to identify their anonymous sources.

The bill, originally proposed in 2004, but brought back for this Congress by Sens. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), Arlen Specter (R-Penn.), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Bob Graham (D-Fla.), calls for a separate judge to determine if the Justice Department can subpoena a reporter’s testimony about sources, if the article cited may have compromised national security.

Although the Senate’s Judiciary Committee has repeatedly stalled the bill since its introduction, Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said in a speech to the National Press Club in Washington that he will place the bill on the floor of the Senate during the lame-duck session of Congress.

He will face strong opposition from many Republican senators, as well as the Justice Department and the White House, who are pushing hardest against the bill.

“[This] places a thumb on the scale in favor of the reporter's privilege and tips the balance against executive branch judgments about the nature and scope of damage or potential damage to our nation's security,” Deputy Attorney General Paul J. McNulty said in a hearing with the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Support for the proposed bill came from a surprising place, that of former Solicitor General Theodore Olson. “It extends to federal courts the nearly unanimous determination by the States that forcing journalists to disclose the identity of their confidential sources is often likely to do more damage than provide any concrete benefit to the public welfare,” he said in his testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Progress in the House has been slow as well, as they are waiting on movement in the Senate before fully examining the bill. The House version of the bill has bipartisan support, including its Republican sponsor, Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) and Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.).

The proposed shield law has received high profile coverage in the aftermath of the 85-day jailing of former New York Times reporter Judith Miller over the leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame and the threatened jailing of two San Francisco Chronicle reporters over the BALCO (Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative) steroids scandal in Major League Baseball.

The BALCO story involves two reporters, Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams, who won national awards and praise from President Bush for their reporting on rampant steroid use in Major League Baseball. BALCO is a sports nutrition center in California, and the reports from the San Francisco Chronicle led the league to adopt new, more stringent, rules concerning the use of illicit and banned substances.

Journalism professors were unanimous in their approval of the proposed law, despite its political implications.

“It is a great thing, but it got caught up in the political mess because of Judy Miller at the New York Times,” said Carol Fletcher, an assistant professor of journalism.

“It is a positive thing,” Margaret Finucane, another assistant professor of journalism, said. “Stories will no longer fall through the cracks.”

At the University, the reaction of students to the proposed law has been mixed.

“Insomuch as it protects journalists, the shield law is definitely a positive, but now there's no risk factor for government officials to consider when leaking important information,” Nick Place, a sophomore print journalism major, said. “Leakers will be invulnerable and the government will become porous on every single level.”

Sophomore Kelly Glista doubted its passage.

“I think the proposed law is a great step for journalists but I have severe doubts that it will be passed any time soon,” she said. “It’s the kind of step that the government will postpone as long as possible.”

OP-ED; UNFAIR RELIGIOUS BENEFITS OVER SECULARISM

2006-10-13T14:35:00.000-04:00

The Wall that Doesn’t Exist

Thomas Jefferson once said that the Constitution “[built] a wall of separation between church and state.” Policies cited in a feature in the October 8, 2006 New York Times lead me to believe otherwise.

Religious organizations—Christian, Jewish, Muslim, etc—get benefits, tax breaks and exceptions that no other group is entitled to get. These benefits are shifting the playing field away from free enterprise, putting secular nonaffiliated organizations out of business, as well as allowing the religious institutions to break the law.

The feature highlights the example of day care centers in Alabama. One center, run by Ethel White in Auburn, is always under the threat of inspection by state and federal authorities. In her center, “There must be continuing training for the staff…All cabinets must have safety locks. Medications for the children must be kept under lock and key, and refrigerated.” These requirements seem reasonable, considering that the safety and welfare of children is at stake.

Especially since Alabama had to tighten its licensing requirements after 12 children died in licensed and unlicensed centers.

However, a day care center run by the Rev. Ray Fuson in the Harvest Temple Church of God in Montgomery is not subject to such requirements. It does not need a license from the state to operate. His center can function as it pleases, when it pleases, how it pleases, with no such threat of inspection, ever.

This specific example is isolated only to Alabama, but it is a microcosm of a much larger problem. Religious organizations are encroaching further into society every day—“from day care centers to funeral homes, from ice cream parlors to fitness clubs, from bookstores to broadcasters”—and they are allowed to operate outside the laws that govern the free market, putting out legitimate businesses and destroying nonprofits.

In addition to not being subject to safety requirements, faith based institutions are not held to civil rights requirements when hiring workers: they may discriminate on race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality and age, if they so desire. The faith-based institutions are immune from all litigation in regards to their hiring practices.

Faith Based institutions do not have to report annual receipts and donations to the IRS, as non-religious centers must do. They have been given healthy tax rebates, despite the fact that the institutions pay no federal taxes to begin with. Further, all states have long exempted religious houses of worship from property taxes.

According to the New York Times article, since 1989, over “200 special arrangements, protections or exemptions for religious groups or their adherents were tucked into Congressional legislation, covering topics ranging from pensions to immigration to land use.” Court decisions from all districts— federal, state and local—all reflect the same pattern as well.

This “religious affirmative action,” coined by John Witte Jr., director of the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at the Emory University law school, directly contradicts the free exercise and freedom from establishment clauses of the First Amendment concerning religion. It goes against the spirit of the amendment itself. The founders wanted to allow religious enterprise, but not at the sacrifice of secular society and business.

Yet the Christian Right, many conservative lawmakers and others say that there is currently a “war on religion.” One must wonder exactly from what world these deluded thoughts come.

CONCERT REVIEW; SECRET MACHINES

2006-10-13T14:33:00.000-04:00

Concert Review: Secret Machines
Irving Plaza
October 2, 2006

For nearly two hours, New York City’s Secret Machines reached for outer space, and took a packed house at Irving Plaza with them.

The band’s brand of psych-pop trippiness is largely unique. Critics constantly compare the sound to Pink Floyd, but there is much more to it. Taking cues from kraut-rockers Neu!, Led Zeppelin’s stomp, the aforementioned Pink Floyd, and U2’s stadium pop, Secret Machines, on record, create a sound matchless by anyone else.

When performing live, they are unearthly. The sound is so loud, so mesmerizing, and so enchanting, one cannot hear, understand or move for days.

The show was the first of a North American tour in which the band plays “in the round.” This refers to the band’s stage setup, which features a cylindrical metal apparatus with large and small lights, huge stacks of speakers, smaller ones for the people next to the stage, three platforms for the band members (guitar, keys/bass, drums), pedals and monitors everywhere. Between the members were four huge light pods, which shone bright with the highs and lows of the performance.

For 45 minutes, an opening act stood above a laptop on one of the stage platforms. Using his laptop, and a pedal or two for effects, he created a spacey, ambient soundscape that sounded quite boring at times, and exciting at others. At first, it seemed like he was testing the speakers, and not a performer, but after the lights were turned onto him, it was quite obvious that he was the opening act. He never announced his name, or any form of identification.

For a half hour, the stage stood dark. No filler music filled the hall. People were contemplative, waiting with bated breath, stretching to see if the band was coming on stage soon.

Then the Secret Machines took to the stage to thunderous applause. They opened with one of the songs of their debut EP, September 000 “What Used to be French.” The song began with pulsing bass chords played by keyboardist/bassist Brandon Curtis; he made the venue’s floor vibrate, and the crowd was instantly involved. Drummer Josh Garza began pounding the skins of the drums as if he was going to punch through them like piñata paper. Guitarist Ben Curtis (Brandon’s brother) appeared more animated than ever before.

The set was an extremely short two hours, including a 30-minute encore. They played songs, old and new, with most being off their latest release Ten Silver Drops. As with all their performances, the band noodled around and jammed off of the main song, much to the delight of the enthralled and mystified crowd. Songs normally five or six minutes would be over ten, eight or nine minute songs fifteen, and so on.

As with any live set, there were a few minor mishaps, mostly related to technological problems. For example, in order to play “Lightning Blue Eyes” Brandon Curtis requires a bass, and it was in substandard condition. It rendered him unable to play the song in its original form; rather he played the notes instead of thicker-sounding chords.

The power and riveting nature of the music is indescribable. One must experience it in order to feel the encompassing wall of sound put forth by the band while performing live.

ALBUM REVIEW; KASABIAN

2006-10-13T14:31:00.000-04:00

Kasabian- Empire
2/5

Big-ness does not always translate into greatness. Neither does an overt attempt to try and outdo a debut record; that they call the sophmore slump.

Kasabian is a band that wants music to return to the ‘druggy’ era of the 80’s: baggy pants, rave dance clubs, and the like.

Kasabian suffers from both problems on their sophmore record, Empire. The band's ambition is boundless, and so is its attempt at a modern rock epic.

The band hails from Leicester, England, and the British influence is found all over the record. Kasabian directly takes from “mentors” Oasis, Primal Scream, the Stone Roses, and other reknowned British acts.

“Empire,” the title track, is a weak attempt to start the album. With stop-start rhythms and strange harmonies, the song falls flat. The song is the lead single of the album, and has received little or no airplay.

“Apnoea” is total chaos on record. There is no discernible melody and no direction in the song.

Highlights are few and far between, but standout tracks include album closer “The Doberman,” which builds up over the course of five minutes into a noise-rock spectacle, and then explodes and disintegrates to the original single note guitar riff that opens the song.

“Stuntman” is a straightforward dance song, with a catchy synth track and a constant bass-y sound. “Stuntman” would fit in right at home with some Pretty Hate Machine-era Nine Inch Nails, or with some of the dancier Cure songs.

OP-ED; NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE

2006-09-29T23:16:00.000-04:00

The Long, Hard Slog…

Donald Rumsfeld knew it all along, but he and his cohorts sent American and multinational soldiers into harm’s way anyway. He knew, when he wrote the now infamous memo, that we may be creating more terrorists than we are killing by invading Iraq. He knew that we would be in it for the long haul. He knew.

President Hosni Mubarrak of Egypt said the same thing when the US was building up for invasion: we will create 100 more bin Laden’s for every terrorist we kill.

But that did not stop the march to Baghdad, rather it emboldened and encouraged the cowboys of Washington. “Bring it on!” President Bush retorted.

Vice President Cheney, Secretary Rumsfeld, his deputy Paul Wolfowitz, and many, many other Republicans, snarling, baring their teeth, itching for a fight, echoed his sentiment.

So the new National Intelligence Estimate, portions of which were leaked in advance to the New York Times and Washington Post, must be sobering to the drunken glee at which the US government invaded Iraq. But it isn’t.

The National Intelligence Estimate is a document collected, produced, and analyzed by the 16 US intelligence agencies. Produced in April, it is the first complete assessment of global terrorism since the Iraq invasion three years ago.

According to officials involved in the drafting of the document, as cited by the New York Times, it was scrubbed multiple times, partially due to a prior structure and focus with which some government officials were unhappy. However, the unhappiness notwithstanding, the officials said that the language was not softened for political purposes.

The document, entitled “Trends in Global Terrorism: Implications for the United States,’’ says that the threat of global terrorism has increased greatly and spread further around the world, rather than receding, as public officials both advertised and asserted before, during, and since the Iraq invasion.

Dozens of anonymous sources, in the intelligence service and familiar with the final draft of the estimate, interviewed for an article for the New York Times, echoed the sentiment of the Estimate, without getting into the still highly classified details.

The report states that terror cells no longer operate on the directive of Osama bin-Laden; instead, they are independent, but still working for the same cause. The threat has adapted, but the US has not. “You go to war with the army you have, not the army you want,” Secretary Rumsfeld once said. Interesting diction, considering the war in Iraq was a war of choice, and now has made the world less safe from terror.

Naturally, the damning indictment of the Iraq war has stirred strong response from both sides of the aisle. The White House released a ton of documents in response to the leak (read: “Friday night follies”) and the documents attest to the administration’s policies decimating the Qaeda leadership. But that is no longer the nature of the enemy.

House and Senate Republicans are also toeing the party line established by the Administration. “The difficulties faced by the US have emboldened terrorist groups,” the maverick-turned-party hack Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) acknowledged on the CBS News program “Face the Nation.” He added that terrorists “did not need any motivation to attack us on Sept. 11.”

Democrats are ratcheting up the rhetoric, and to good effect. “Even capturing the remaining top Al Qaeda leadership isn’t going to prevent copycat cells, and it isn’t going to change a failed policy in Iraq,” Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA) said on CNN’s “Late Edition.”

The National Intelligence Estimate is sure to be another election year battle. But hopefully, this time it won’t fall on deaf ears.

CONCERT REVIEW; HEAD AUTOMATICA

2006-09-29T23:13:00.000-04:00

Concert Review- Head Automatica f/The Gateway
3/5

A chilly Wednesday night brought out the ‘emo’ kids, the ‘punks,’ the ‘in crowd’ and just about every other image stereotype for Bellmore natives Head Automatica.

Local openers The Gateway played to an ambivalent crowd to open the show. Their brand of power-pop-punk is quite generic, and ultimately boring. The sound was reminiscent of the power-pop of The Lashes, the ‘easycore’ of New Found Glory, and the poppiest of the pop-punk vets Blink 182. For a half hour, they pranced, danced, and hopped around, much to the mocking delight of the few that happened to be paying attention.

A half hour later, Head Automatica sauntered out onto the stage. They began to play a song with a driving beat, and vocalist Daryl Polumbo ran out on stage, grabbed the mic, and started to sing.

Polumbo has a jarring stage presence: running around the stage, he rallied the “troops” (the rest of the band) and keeping the crowd entertained.

The set was largely uneven, split between songs off their new release Popaganda and their debut Decadence.

Most of the newer songs, the single “Graduation Day” notwithstanding, fell flat as the crowd had no familiarity with the music. Despite the crowd’s familiarity with the song, it doesn’t excuse the terrible nature of “Graduation Day” itself.

Songs off Decadence fared much better, however. “Brooklyn is Burning” created a dance club atmosphere and set closer (by popular request) “The Razor” made for a grand finale.

ALBUM REVIEW: TV ON THE RADIO

2006-09-21T20:21:00.000-04:00

TV on the Radio- Return to Cookie Mountain
4/5
Interscope Records

Brooklyn’s own TV on the Radio is back with a new album, their first with a major-label. Fresh from their Shortlist Award-winning debut Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes, this new album expands upon the ideas found on that release. Demos and leaked versions have been all over the Internet for nearly a year, but the record’s official US release was not until September 12. 4AD Records released it around the world on July 6, 2006. The record has been lauded in the press prior to its release, and for good reason.

It is absolutely impossible to pigeonhole this band into any specific genre. Now, one may say that often, but rarely is it ever true. TV on the Radio mix shoegaze, hip-hop, ambience, alternative rock, and spiritual music into one relentless blend that does not stop. The band is a longtime darling of the indie-rock community, but this record could be their breakout.

Each track develops a unique mood using texture and production. The band is notorious for using such techniques to further the mood of the music which, in essence, makes them true artists. Vocalist and frontman Tunde Adebimpe has a background in art, as he is an avid painter and an animator on the MTV show Celebrity Deathmatch.

TV on the Radio has consistently grappled with politics in its songs, and this release is no exception. Post 9/11 anxiety pervades the record, as exemplified in the song “Province:” Suddenly, all your history's ablaze/Try to breathe as the world disintegrates. Notable icon David Bowie lends backup vocals to this urgent track.

Bowie’s been a source of major support to the band since 2003, when founding member David Sitek sold him a painting, as well as giving Bowie some of the band’s earliest recordings. Bowie has advised them on everything from what to do with record executives to how to release a one-off track recorded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The lead single, “Wolf Like Me” features fuzzy bass, shimmering guitars, and galloping drums, as well as Adebimpe’s and backup Kyp Malone eerie swirling vocals. As they build up into a fuzzing headtrip, it all disappears into light drums and instrumentation, with Adebimpe’s vocals more audible than ever. Suddenly, the fuzz is back, and the track reaches the climax with both parts of the song (soft and loud) vying for supremacy.

The one problem with the record is that it may be too overwhelming and too much for the casual listener. “Muso’s” (critics, musicians, et al.) will not have a problem, but this record may go over the average person’s head. Unless you own either/both amazing stereo speakers and/or excellent headphones, you are bound to miss something. I hope that this will not hurt record sales, which would marginalize this diamond in the rough of the music industry.

The US release features three bonus tracks, including a remix of “Hours” by El-P and two b-sides from the single for “Wolf Like Me.”

NEWS; JUDY SHEPARD COMES TO HOFSTRA

2006-09-21T20:19:00.000-04:00

A wide cross section of humanity filled the Student Center Theater on a Thursday night to hear the story of Matthew Shepard. Homosexual, heterosexual, students, faculty, guests, and others sat in anticipation while Judy Shepard, Matthew’s mother, was stuck in traffic on the Grand Central Parkway. She finally arrived about a half hour late, and when introduced, received a healthy dose of applause.

Many students were already familiar with the story. Riss Wilson, a freshman, was a “techie” during a production of the Laramie Project, a play dedicated to the story of Matthew Shepard. He attended the lecture due to his support of gay rights and gay activism.

Matt Weaver, a junior, and a Resident Assistant in Liberty Hall, went because “The ignorance of people is eye opening, looking at the controversy surrounding marriage.” Roma Ramchandani, a sophomore at Adelphi University was “extremely excited to come” when she heard about the event, “because of [her] familiarity with the story and how remarkably strong Judy is.”

Judy Shepard is an activist against all forms of hate, not just the problem of anti-gay rhetoric and its related hate crimes. Her foundation, named after her late son Matthew, teamed up with the James Byrd Jr. Foundation, to fight against all hate crimes. All proceeds raised by Mrs. Shepard’s speaking engagements go to her foundation, which fights anti-gay legislation as well as raises awareness about the truth of the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender lifestyle.

Matthew Shepard was beaten nearly to death in October 1998. He was tied to a prairie, and left for dead. He was brought into a hospital about 18 hours later, and he was placed in critical condition. Matthew’s parents, living in Saudi Arabia at the time, were called, and they rushed back to the states to be by their son’s side. He was pronounced dead at 12:53a.m. on October 12, 1998.

“It’s not just gay and lesbian people [that face hate]. It’s all of us,” Shepard declared during her speech. She then read her impact statement, which she had read during the sentencing portion of the trial of the man who murdered her son. The statement dripped of emotion. Her voice still cracks eight years after the fact when she says, “He was my son, my firstborn, and more…I never [will] understand why anyone would do this.”

Shepard described Matthew’s condition in stark detail. Walking into the room “of no emotion, tubes everywhere, his face swollen, his ear was reattached to his head and was still bleeding…” Initially, Shepard could not even recognize her own son. She shook Matthew’s arms, and he reacted, but doctors told her that the response was involuntary because of the touch.

After Matthew’s story, Shepard began imploring the students, gay and straight, men and women, to register to vote. She railed against the “religious right,” calling them bigots. Her most enthusiastic plea was for the audience to educate themselves, “I happen to think hate comes from ignorance.”

Her request was that all people should be treated as equals, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, and gender orientation. Examples of inequality are all around us, she said. It is everywhere, in the mass media, in our everyday conversation, and in our perceptions. Shepard’s story taught students to root out intolerance where it starts, within their minds.

OP-ED; BUSH IS A LIAR

2006-09-10T21:43:00.000-04:00

Bush Implicitly Admits He’s A Liar

The President finally came around and admitted to the American people, and to the world, that he has lied to them, albeit in a roundabout way. It took damn long enough.

The President had never previously discussed the existence of secret prisons around the world in which American and foreign interrogators tortured suspected terrorists, including the alleged mastermind of September 11, 2001, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. However, he left it to his subordinates to neither confirm nor deny its existence to the American and world newsmedia. In a speech to families impacted by the attacks of September 11, he admitted their existence, arguing that they were vital in the War on Terror.

President Bush took this action because of a ruling by the Supreme Court, which stated that the procedures used by the administration in incarcerating, interrogating, and trying detainees violated both the Constitution and the Geneva Conventions. The ruling, as David Sanger writes in his news analysis in the September 7, 2006 New York Times, “visibly angered [the President].” The court finally held the President accountable to his policies, and now President Bush is about to try the Jacksonian role of defying other branches of government.

Further, President Bush said that he was moving the detainees from around the world to the compound in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where they are to wait to stand on a military tribunal, with terms for the trial dictated by the President, including the inability for defendants to see or hear the evidence against them. These terms aggravated even the most loyal of Republicans, including former military prosecutor Senator Lindsey Graham (R-NC).

By implicitly admitting that his administration had lied about the secret prisons, President Bush also put Congress on the defensive, forcing their collective hands to vote for his concept of a military tribunal before the midterm elections. The minority Democrats cannot be seen as coddling terrorists, and Republicans do not want to be viewed as weakening their position on terror. This action can also have its downsides, however.

By admitting the fact that the CIA held detainees in secret undisclosed locations, the President opens himself up to the allegation of torture. He has vehemently denied such accusations, but he (and Donald Rumsfeld) also called the Abu-Ghraib scandal the “work of a few bad apples.”

Torture was authorized by White House Counsel Alberto Gonzalez in a memo dated August 2002. In the memo, al-Qaeda terrorists, and anyone else captured in the War on Terror, are not considered Prisoners of War, and thus not entitled to the protections provided by the Geneva Conventions. In a related memo signed by the President(!) the same concept is reiterated.

So why did he lie? Why keep these prisoners held in secret? Why torture them? The justification given by the administration is that this was the only way to get timely intelligence in a new war. They say that these tactics have saved the lives of Americans and those of their allies. But they miss an important point. The lies of the administration have led to the deaths of more people, rather than fewer.

President Bush, and his advisers and subordinates in his administration, lied to the American people, and the world. Men captured on the battlefields in Afghanistan and around the world were held in secret underground prisons in which they were tortured, degraded, and humiliated. Admission of said lying would further tarnish the already ruined American image around the world, so the President had to own up to his lies in a circular fashion.

Mr. President, didn’t your mother ever teach you that liars never win?

ALBUM REVIEW: DARKER MY LOVE

2006-09-10T21:41:00.000-04:00

Darker My Love (S/T)
4/5

Psych-rock has not seen a debut this solid since Jesus and Mary Chain’s Psychocandy. Originally a side project featuring members of The Distillers and Nerve Agents, California’s Darker My Love break out with a sound no one was to expect from punk rockers. The sound is fuzzy, trippy, drowned in reverb, and guitar driven. The band has multiple psychedelic influences, ranging from the swirling melodies of Jesus and Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine to the sometimes-directionless drone of Brian Jonestown Massacre and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Noise-rock and shoegaze influences pervade the sound as well.

Highlights include the driving-rock track “Hello Traveler” and the mesmerizing “Opening,” the obvious choice for an album intro. “Opening” features a guitar line bathed in feedback, but still allows for the listener to be swallowed in by the all-encompassing noise. “Hello Traveler” takes a kraut-rock foundation (driving, droning drums and bass) and makes it into a shimmering rock anthem, with exploding guitar sounds and swirling vocals.

The single, ironically the last track of the album, “Summer is Here,” captures all of the sound from the previous songs and creates a height that the band never reached before.

Layered, textured music is making a huge comeback, and Darker My Love are reveling in all its trappings. With bands like Secret Machines, Serena Maneesh, and Darker My Love receiving press coverage from larger and larger media sources, the shoegazing and trippy sound may finally crack the charts that it usually reviles.

A DAY WITH THE LIVING END (CONCERT REVIEW INCLUDED)

2006-08-13T22:03:00.000-04:00

‘WE DO THIS “COS” IT’S FUCKING FUN'

5/5

I have been waiting for this moment for nearly seven years: a Living End concert. I have never gotten the opportunity to see my favorite band of all time, yet they had come to my locale, New York, twice since 2001. The band can sell out 100,000 seat arenas in its native Australia, but has yet to crack the US market. After buying tickets the moment they went on sale, the period of anticipation begun. What will they play? Will I meet them? What could I say to my idols?

Then the day of the show, August 8, 2006, came upon me quickly. On the train into the city, my mind was aflutter over what would transpire. I was thinking a mile a minute. Anxious, I took the 1:39 train out of Farmingdale, Long Island to get to NY City by 2:30pm for a show not scheduled to begin until 8:00. I am going to try to meet the band, if possible. I ponder the possibility of a life dream coming true. I am also going to the show with 15 of my closest friends from home.

I traversed the short walk from Penn Station to the Avalon (the venue), and arrived around 3:00. A towering bus loomed over some of the friends and I that took the early train. Another one called, saying he was on his way in from Cape Cod, and wanted to see if I could get another ticket for him. This required further travel, to the Irving Plaza Box Office; I made the purchase, a mere 17 dollars for a night’s worth of wondrous excitement.

On the way back, we grab some food, just so we will not have to worry about it later. We eat next to the venue, an omnipresent former church turned nightclub and concert venue. Featuring impressive tower structures, cathedral ceilings, and a foreboding fence around it (with a large sign giving a number to call if one witnesses any illegal activity), this appeared as if it was going to be a day unfulfilled. Or was it?

After about a half hour, Living End upright bassist Scott Owen wandered out of the looming bus, mumbling about getting dry cleaning and doing his laundry. He tried to sneak away from a group of drooling fans, but to no avail. Questions were asked and answered, but (need chuck to add). Next, guitarist Chris Cheney walked out with a glass in his hand. Compliments abound, he then identified his drink as tea, and a friend of mine took the liberty to give some history to the invention of tea. Cheney was clearly impressed, but drummer Andy Strachan walked out of the bus quickly, looking to get ready for a sound check. Quickly, I ask Cheney about his lyrics and inspiration in his more politically motivated songs, specifically the ones concerning East Timor and immigration (“Don’t Shut the Gate” and “Revolution Regained” off of album Roll On), and he replies insightfully and extemporaneously, saying that the region is blowing up again, and both sides are taking casualties again. He says that he wants to talk more later on, and apologizes for his necessary departure, but he must go to do the requisite sound check.

From the extreme back of the venue where I met the band(!), we walked to the area with security guards back towards the front of the venue. People (obviously affiliated with the bands playing) were milling around, going in and out of the venue, and when the door opened, one can clearly hear the sound check going on. (Cheney kept saying the word “Yeah!” into the mic, and then they checked “Roll On” and new “single” “What’s on Your Radio?”) This was shaping to be the greatest day of my life, but it only got better.

During a lull in the sound check, I wander over to a short woman with dyed red hair and a dark dress. It is Rae, the band’s manager. She is someone that I have also dreamed of meeting. I am a member of the band’s message board, and she, as well as the band, is intimately involved with the board. I introduce myself as the rabid fan that posts on the board often, usually requiring a response from her. She instantly says hello, and we strike conversation, but it was substantive enough to elicit quite interesting responses. A friend of mine joins me (one of the rabid ones, and as much involved in the board as I) in asking about the US tour, about promotion, the new label, etc. She gives a much more cynical response than the upbeat band members, saying that they are losing money on this tour, that the tour is not going as well as intended (venues not selling out, etc.) and that the label is supportive, but they can only do so much because of the funds required for promotion. The Living End was recently signed in the US to Billy Joe Armstrong’s (Green Day) label Adeline Records. I ask if that the new signing can rid the image that they are a Green Day rip-off band and she sardonically replied that they are always and will forever be derided as such in the US.

After quite the interview, we wander back to the area where we can hear a sound check. We (a few of my friends as rabid as myself and I) started a conversation with someone milling back and forth, and this person happens to be a journalist working for CMJ (College Music Journal). She is extremely polite, and tries to get us in for the rest of the sound check. After going in herself, and coming back out, she says to just stay in the corner and be quiet, no one is stopping her or anyone else from entering.

Thus, we go in quietly, and walk to the far corner, by the stairs to a balcony area. We are treated to a private sound check; there are no other fans present, only the bands, their managers, and their roadies. The sound blaring, The Living End tore through new track “Into the Red” with a force I have never before witnessed. The band is clearly on today. Then, they play a punchy rendition of “We Want More,” another song off the band’s new album State of Emergency. More noodling commences, and my friends and I are mesmerized. The sound check abruptly ends, and Chris jumps off the stage, recognizing us rabid fans, and saying that there “was too much noise.” Drums are sound checked for another couple of minutes, and then it abruptly ends. We cannot fathom meeting the band, let alone a private show!

After the sound check, we quietly exited the venue, giddy at the fact that we witnessed something that no one else got. Then again, no one is nearly as dedicated to the band as my friends and I are. After exiting the venue, we walk back again to where we met the band members before. Suddenly, Rae appears, and she appears flustered. I ask her some more questions, including one about playing a late-night television show for more promotion. She says that I think that it is too easy to book the show, because Conan O’Brian invited them to play this Friday, but they are going to be in Atlanta already. It would cost them five thousand dollars to do the show. Utterly shocked, I cannot respond, but I do not have to—Scott comes out and speaks with us some more. He is down to earth, just like the rest of the band. We ask him why he continues to play, despite a marriage and child. He responds, “We do this cos it’s fucking fun, otherwise there is no point to playing!” I compliment his songwriting, and say that his songs should be featured more on their albums (Cheney is the chief songwriter.) Scott proceeds to thank me, and I mention his song “Stay Away From Me” (It’s For Your Own Good EP) as one of my favorites they ever recorded. Continuing on the same vein, my friend asks Scott what his lyrics are during the backup vocals of the chorus. “Come to think of it, I don’t remember.” He had no idea. At least his fans are not the only ones confused. Scott and Rae retire back to the bus

It is now nearly 6 o’clock, and we want to be in the front row, against the stage, for the show. We head over to what appears to be the main entrance. 15 of us together, all fully intended on experiencing the show from way up close. We are the first in line, and that does not surprise us. Legions of fans follow, and they have no idea for what they are in store.

We wait for just over an hour, until doors open, which is scheduled for 7pm. Tickets scanned, we all walk together and blanket the area directly against the stage. We will not move. The venue is startlingly empty for a long while. The Avalon appears uninhabited for the first act, Read Yellow, who takes the stage at about 8pm.

They are a four-piece band that created a wall of noise unparalleled for the rest of the show. They are loud, they are raucous, and they cannot be stopped. The band is uncompromising, and they have been compared to Rites of Spring and At the Drive In. They hail from Amherst, MA, and all were students together at UMASS. The band calls for a ton of audience participation, including offering their instruments to the crowd in the front row. One takes a tambourine and knocks away. Another is given a guitar, and he hits a few chords heavily laden with distortion. The lead guitarist and vocalist is chaotic, dancing, and all over the place, and he brings a cymbal down to the crowd, hands out some drumsticks, and the ones with the sticks bang away at the drum. The 30 minute set pummeled me, and was completely unexpected.

After a 30 minute or so intermission, the next band (The Lashes) appear to be ready for their performance, but a troupe of rappers come out instead. They perform for about 10 minutes, taking what sounds like they were rapping over previously recorded songs blaring over the speakers. It is more chaos, and it does not make any sense. The rappers prance around the stage as they proceed to introduce the next band, but no one can hear it. The Lashes take the stage, ready for their set as the rappers exit.

The Lashes, from Seattle, WA, are a band that needs a new vocalist. The musicians in the band are quite good, putting forth a power-pop sound The Strokes, Weezer, and Hot Hot Heat would all approve. However, the vocalist belongs with The Starting Line or The Academy is… His whiny (and luckily mostly inaudible) vocals are as pathetic as his image. He walks, sings, and acts like a princess. Exemplifying this point, after the first song, the plug on his mic comes out from the monitor. He stands there, hand on hip, clutching the plug, but unwilling to hook it back in. He waits for a sound guy to do it for him, and follows by saying, “An unplugged mic won’t ruin my night.” He proceeds to prance around as a posturing emo prom queen, snapping his fingers and making one particularly stupid dance move. Between songs, he says (audibly whiny) that his band has the number one single in America, and someone in the crowd yells that he is a liar. The band could have that number one single, but only if they fire the vocalist.

After another 40 minutes (but what seems like an hour), the lights go down, and the headliners, The Living End take the stage to thunderous cheers. The venue is finally packed out, and the crowd is in for a real treat. I am finally experiencing something I’ve waited for almost 7 years. “We are The Living End,” Chris Cheney bellows to the crowd. They come out guns cocked and loaded, opening their electrifying set with a rousing version of their hit “Roll On.” Scott Owen is standing on his upright bass. Chris Cheney is noodling on his four thousand dollar White Falcon gem guitar. Andy Strachan, a drummer I genuinely doubted, is pounding the drums like he will break through them. This scene replicates for nearly an hour, while the band pounds convincingly through singles “What’s on Your Radio?” and “Who’s Gonna Save Us?” They rev up the energy for show stoppers “Into The Red” and biggest hit “Prisoner of Society,” which sounds more punchy and punk rawkin’ than it has since its 1998 debut. They also slow the tempo a few times, including its political tour de force, the wrenching “Wake Up.” They also introduce their sarcastic “Tabloid Magazine” by asking the crowd if they like Hollywood (the answer was a resounding no) and re-naming the song “What’s Wrong with Paris Hilton?” During the oft-played hit “All Torn Down” there is always an insane jam session, and tonight wasn’t any different. It starts out mellow enough, but it builds and builds until a loud climax with Chris hammering at the guitar, and he gets a bottle of beer, and begins playing with that in his left hand. Hitting the climax of the jam, he arches his back, and chugs the foamy Corona with a jubilant smile on his face.

The band has a stupendous stage presence, engaging the crowd by traversing the stage with their instruments in tow. Scott is widely known for lifting the huge bass over his head, as well as standing on it, and tonight is no exception. Fists pumping in the air, big choruses, this band is made for a live show. They symbolize the ideal blood, sweat, and rock band. This show was clearly something the band was revved up for, as Scott is bouncing about like never before. The same can be said for Chris, who wails at his guitar in an unrelenting manner.

Suddenly, and regrettably, they say goodbye, and leave the stage. But they are known for doing encores, and again, this is no exception. This time, they bring on the stomp with “Uncle Harry,” an ode to former drummer Trav Dempsey’s alcoholic uncle. The band stops for a second, and then jumps into its heavy bank robbery tale “Hold Up,” in which they add a huge bass solo, and a call-and answer session between Chris and Andy. During the jam session, Scott and Chris inch closer and closer as they play. Suddenly, the bass neck dips, and Chris stands on the bass! They try to out-pound their respective instruments during this momentous event, but one cannot outdo the other. Chris announces that they have one more to do before the lights go out, and it involves a “West End Riot!” They play the hit song from their self-titled debut, but not before Cheney stops the song, and begins to mute the chords on his guitar, and introduces the band to the constantly moving, cheering, and singing crowd. He introduces Scott Owen, the master of the double bass, which he puts down, and stage dives into the crowd. Mass hysteria ensues, but Scott does not fall. Chris introduces Andy who bangs out a drum solo, and drinks a ton of water, and spits it into the air as he plays. Lastly, Chris introduces himself, and then a short jam starts, quickly brought back to the ending chorus. The electrifying, mesmerizing, and enchanting set has finally come to a close, and the band says goodnight.

I leave with a ton of memorabilia as well. I take the Living End setlist, a drumstick thrown, and the beer bottle that Cheney both played with and drank from.

Living End Setlist: Roll On, What’s On Your Radio?, Who’s Gonna Save Us?, Into The Red, All Torn Down, We Want More, Pictures in the Mirror, Wake Up, Black Cat, Prisoner of Society, Tabloid Magazine, E Boogie (instrumental), Second Solution Encore: Uncle Harry, Hold Up, West End Riot