*Web Exclusive* Events

Wednesday

Knitwits meeting, 9-10 p.m. in GLC art gallery.

Last yoga session of the semester, Drew Formal Lounge 6-7 p.m.

Thursday
Oracle staff meeting, 11:15 a.m. DS 106.

Celebrate Kwanza with Pride BSA in Manor Main Lounge at 4 p.m.

Proactive consumption requires some homework

Americans are notorious when it comes to consumption.

Especially during the holidays.

As soon as the fruitcakes, paperweights and patterned neckties begin to appear out of wrapping-papered packages, people begin to return, re-gift and even throw away their less-than-favorable holiday acquisitions.

What a waste.

But what if the money from those seemingly useless holiday purchases actually went to someone, somewhere, who really needed it?

Editorial: U.S. military exploits journalism in Iraq

In recent national news, facts have come to light about the U.S. military’s actions with the Iraqi media. The story first came out in the Los Angeles Times, which reported that the U.S. military paid a consulting firm,
the Lincoln Group, and local newspapers in Iraq to run stories about the war and rebuilding effort in a way favorable to the United States. When questioned about these allegations, many people in the White House, Capitol, and Pentagon claim they don’t have the facts about the issue; therefore, they refuse to comment. The allegations aren’t even the first to come about this year.

Let us first say, this is despicable. The U.S. military represents the United States when it is abroad, in whatever country that might be. Therefore, the military must act appropriately. The fact that they paid a newspaper to write good things about the United States’ efforts goes against the very foundation of journalistic ethics.

Film captures essence of Cash

Anyone who has sat through a Behind the Music episode knows that, for those that grace the concert stage, a world of drugs, sex, and comebacks are in store.

Music biopics, those tales of rock legends which seem to pop up two to three times a year in cineplexes, reflect this lifestyle, and this provides a problem for moviegoers.

Five minutes into the film, we know that there is going to be a family tragedy, love lost and found, a rise from poverty, and hard-earned success followed by a tragic downfall and finally redemption. This is a trap that last year’s overly praised Ray (an overwrought and patronizing film) fell into completely, and was what I was sure would sink the recent Walk the Line. Boy was I wrong. Walk the Line is in fact a well-worn, but thoroughly viewable film.

Mens basketball is off to a rocky start, but nothing is set in stone

Thus far this season Piper mens basketball has dropped three of its first four games. In their season opener against the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Bison they shot 40 percent from the floor, nearly ten percentage points behind their opponent and fell 90-76. They were able to best Martin Luther College in their next game, but would go on to lose a heartbreaker to Northwestern College just four days later.

Last Wednesday they came up short again, this time against Gustavus, their first conference opponent of the year.

To the casual observer these stats may not look like the beginnings of a promising season, but the future of this team is anything but set in stone. The group only lost two members from last year and picked up some strong new recruits who have integrated into the team well.

Under the Covers...With Nick Bell

Dear Nick:

Anal-yze This