THE STUDENT VOICE OF FORDHAM COLLEGE AT LINCOLN CENTER October 19, 2001 www.fclcobserver.com VOLUME XX, Issue 4 Basketball Gone But Not Forgotten Coach Hill Brings the Professor and Student Speak Out Team to About Loved Ones Lost in Tragedy By Laura Ralph

FCLC The planes that struck the World Trade Center on September 11 struck at the heart of the Fordham community, too. Orlando Rodriguez, Professor of Sociology at FCRH and Nathaniel Holland, FCLC '05, lost a son and moth- er, respectively. Rodriguez's only son, Gregory, 31, who had a 10-year-old son himself, worked as a manager of Network Security for Cantor Fitzgerald and E Speed on the 103rd floor of the North Tower. Holland's mother, Cora, was on American Airlines flight 11, which was flown into the same tower. Rodriguez was in his office at Rose Hill when he heard about the crash. "Our department secretary told us that there had been a crash at the World Trade Center. Since I knew [Greg] worked there, I called him immediately as well as Professor Orlando Rodriguez his wife and my wife," Rodriguez said. Professor Orlando Rodriguez and his son Greg Rodrigurez. He didn't hear anything, however, until 9:30 when his wife Phyllis called. government's response was retaliation, "Therefore, my wife and I felt it our Ryan St.Gormaln Basketball Coach Bob Hill "I had left a message on our answering however, Rodriguez and his wife wrote duty, to our son's memory and to inno- machine, 'There's been a terrible acci- and sent a letter to The New York Times. cent people here and abroad, to do what- By Ryan Dever dent. I'm okay. Call Elizabeth,1 [Greg's "We could not really look at TV or ever we could in our modest way to reg- wife]," Rodriguez said. "Twenty four read the newspapers; we were too busy ister our protest against violent revenge." Fordham University Head Basketball hours later, after looking for his name and upset. But we learned very quickly Although their letter was never pub- Coach, Bob Hill, outlined his plans to among the survivors list, the CEO of his what the government's reaction was, and lished in The New York Times, establish Fordham's Basketball program company told relatives assembled at a it did not look good. It looked very much Rodriguez said that the letter reached as a powerhouse in the Atlantic Ten midtown hotel that no survivors had like war. Among all of us, the immediate many people over the Internet, which, he Conference for many seasons to come. appeared from among the floors where thought was, 'Our son died because he said, helped them cope with the tragedy. Over one hundred students came to Greg's company was located, and that, was some kind of pawn in a global strug- He expressed gratitude for those people McMahon Hall 109, on Thursday, therefore, he had to assume they had all gle. Now others, just like our son, may whose responses to the tragedy were- October 11th to see Head Coach Hill, perished." die as pawns of our government's need to peaceful. Assistant Coach Shea Barry and his Initially, Rodriguez and his family appear tough before the American people "We know that there has been a great senior players talk to FCLC students , didn't read about or watch news of the and the rest of the world,'" said outpouring of people for peace, as shown about the team, (continued to page 4) attacks. When they found out that the Rodriguez. by the (continued on page 4) Fordham's R.O.T.C. Sees Increased Inside Enrollement Since WTC Attacks Commentary: By Rosanna Arlia Bombers and Beans page 8 The World Trade Center attack may have contributed to the Reserve Officers Training Core's (R.O.T.C.) increased Features: enrollment since September 11, speculat- Rating Your Unpaid ed Major Ted, who teaches R.O.T.C.'s freshman, and has been in the Army for 13 Internship year. Since then, nine new cadets have page 16 enrolled, but Major Bowling is hesitant to say it is specifically because of what hap- pened to the World Trade Center. Arts: "Our program is growing rapidly- Three Sisters Review about 50% per year- but it is difficult to pages 25 say whether it's because of September 11," he said. "Most in here are here for the desire to serve their country. They are Literary: learning the basics to become officers." Saints and Poets Part II While Bowling said it is difficult to make the assertion that these cadets Courtai/ of Major Bowling page 27 have enrolled (continued on page 3) The R.O.T.C. Color Guard News October 19,2001 Mass Remembers Alumni Victims

By Lecie Alario When asked about this year's home- coming in view of the recent tragedy, On Saturday, September 29th, A O'Hare commented, "It was very nice to Homecoming Memorial Mass was held see so many people come back- young at Fordham University Church at Rose and old- especially at this homecoming." Hill to commemorate those Fordham The same sentiment was shared among University Alumni who fell victim to the the alumni. World Trade Center bombings. A recent graduate, Julie Ruditzky, stat- "Today we come together to remem- ed, "It's nice that everyone is here and I ber and renew our hope," said Rev. can see my friends again." Joseph A. O'Hare, S.J. President of The theme of hope and remembrance Fordham University. from the mass carried over into most Alumni, faculty, and students came aspects of all the homecoming activities. together on the morning of Fordham's Various tents to welcome both students Homecoming Game Day to remember and alumni were scattered throughout the 24 alumni lost in the Terrorists' the Rose Hill campus. The band and attacks. In his homily, O'Hare announced chorus were in full effect at half time Fordham's intentions to provide all of the with several pieces to honor both the children of the Fordham alumni who University and America. The stadium's died in the recent attacks with full schol- stands were packed as the Fordham arships to the University. • i Homecoming Memorial Mass at the Univeristy Church Rams defeated Georgetown. • Fordham Tightens Security To Heighten Safety

that she has never fe{t unsafe here. AC Christian FCLC '04, pointed out that, "more security means more safety; although, in this case, more [security] is good but isn't necessarily necessary." Christian attributes long lines^and slow entrance into the building to Carroll's new methods. "Things are slower get- ting pass the front desk, into the build- ing," complains Christian. "I agree that security should be heightened but not entirely because of the World Trade Center disaster." In light of the extra measures, students should be aware that those without their proper 2002 ID and guests without some form of identification might not be able to enter the buildings, according to Carro.ll. He insists that student coopera- tion is particularly needed in this area. "Overall the students have been very

Rita Brunelli responsive," exclaims Carroll. Students Security Gaurd limits access to Lowenstein in accordance with tighter security guidelines should also note that in the event of such By Ashly D. Horace unforeseen future tragedies, security and bring to visit and planning ahead for all Schaub admits that she doesn't feel that Fordham's crisis team "will be able to get Immediately after the unprecedented guests to present some form of identifi- the added security measures have mad% the necessary resources in here as soon events of September 11th Fordham cation." Carroll is confident that such her any safer than before but explains as possible" said Carroll. • University's security staff took steps to simple yet practical concepts will gener- insure a safe atmosphere at Fordham. ate a more secure atmosphere and help According to John Carroll, Director of security checks to run much smoother Security for Fordham University, within and be less demanding. Apartments minutes of the attack MeMahon guards While Carfo.ir remains in the initial "upped security", denying entrance to stages of his increased security measures any person who wished to enter he prides himself on remaining true to Sublets & Roommates Lowenstein or MeMahon Hall, .who did the concerns and opinions of the students, not have a 2002 identification card. in regards to their safety. Carroll even "We; wefe on a high level of alert," admits that he had spoken to several stu- All Areas! No Brokers! recalls Carroll. "No guest or visitors dents to, ga(her their responses and opin- were allowed into the residence halls for ions to his new measures and the effec- the first 24-hours." Carroll and his staff tiveness of his efforts. of guards, along with the other members "Oh, Yeah! I've noticed a huge differ- www.TheSublet.com of the "crisis team"- including the Vice ence in security since the tragedy," says President of Admissions, the Director of Mary-Cristina Schaub FCLC '04. "The Public Relations, the Director of ID checks are strict but very helpful." Residential Life, and the Deans of both Schaub further notes that on ojne particu- campuses - met to make sure that they lar occasion a female security guard Browse & List Free! were all on the "same page": looking out checked her ID five times to assure that for the well being of the students. the photo was actually she. She's also Carroll's major' aim was to heighten noticed that since the attacks security not Apartments & Rooms security. ,.,....,....,,, only stands behind the front entrance Carroll says, "Students are advised to desk of MeMahon but that there is usual- always have their ID's at hand and most ly someone standing out in front of the importantly to think and plan ahead desk to double check ID's and to catch 201 - 265 -7900 about their guests. This includes using any students who try to slip through the good judgment about the people students barriers. Like most students, however, October 19, 2001 News page 3 What is Office of Prestigious R.O.T.C? Fellowships Gets New Director

By Michelle Christ

Courtesy of United States Army: Fordham University has made Dr. John Ryle Kezel, a professor at Rose Hill, the new Director of the Prestigious By Rosanna Arlia Fellowships program. The Office of Prestigious Fellowships assists students, The Reserve Officer Training Corps is primarily juniors and seniors, in obtain- an 85-year-old program that trains its ing grants, fellowships and scholarships cadets to become commissioned officers. for research and graduate work. Kezel Commissioned officers are trained in one plans to further expand the office's ser-

of three ways: through the U.S, Military, vices and organizations at Lincoln Center. Courtesy of Dr. Kezel the R.O.T.C., or the Officer Candidate When Mrs. Patricia Taylor resigned Dr. John Ryle Kezel, Director of the Prstigious Fellowships Program School. The R.O.T.C. produces 70% of from the position of Director last year Dr. the nation's officers and has 270 pro- Kezel eagerly expressed an interest. Dr. begun in concordance with Father Grimes While Dr.Kezel emphasizes that it is grams throughout the nation. Seniors Kezel already had deep roots within the the establishment of the Mateo Ricci never too early to consider fellowships graduate as 2nd lieutenants and are Fordhar% community having received his Society at Lincoln Center. (The society is and welcomes student contact from all required to serve in the active Army, the Ph.D. in English from the University and currently only active at Rose Hill.) Dr. the levels of study he currently has sever- Army National Guard, or the Army teaching English, Medieval and Honors Kezel believes that the society will help al positions open to seniors still available. Reserve. Upon graduation they are undergraduate and graduate classes at students in, "the striving for intellectual In particular, he is looking for senior stu- required to serve four years in the active Rose Hill since 1980. His tenure as and moral excellence in the training of dents interested in teaching English Army or eight years in the National Assistant Dean there began in 1986 and men and women for and with others", He abroad. The spots open range from Guard or Army Reserve, where one he was often the senior class dean. frequently emphasizes the society's Western Europe including France, weekend a month is spent serving the Furthermore, Dr. Kezel actively partici- importance in the world of academia and Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg to nation as a commissioned officer. pated on various scholarship committees fellowships as well as the fact that it is Turkey and Korea. To be eligible the stu- .Here at Fordham'.the R.O.T.C., making him an ideal candidate. Perhaps, never too early to consider a fellowship. dents must be American citizens with which is the only program located in though, one of his most valuable experi- The society also, helps enhance the, good academicstanding at the time of New York City, is in its 75th year. ences was as one of the founding mem- interaction between faculty and students. application. Also in some areas a conver- There are over tOO cadets in the pro- bers of the Mateo Ricci Society at Rose Dr. Kezel reiterates these claims and sational knowledge of the local languages gram, primarily from Rose Hill and Hill. As he explained the Mateo Ricci explains how the Society functions: "The is required, although some programs have Lincoln Center. But enrollment is not Society was "named for the brilliant six- Mateo Ricci Society has helped identify no such language barrier and no previous limited to just Fordham University, teenth-century Jesuit scholar and explor- promising fellowship candidates early in language instruction is necessary. There are also enrolled cadets from a er, Mateo Ricci" and in Mr. Kezel's opin- their career and then paired these students If you are considering teaching English variety of campuses including NYU, ion the organization "remains an out- with faculty mentors who monitor their abroad or any of the other prestigious fel- John Jay, Hunter, Bronx Community standing representation of the finest progress, serve as scholarly role models, lowships offered, please contact Dr. Kezel. College and Vassar. Fordham*s aspects of Jesuit education". Regardless and help students in the preparation of Moreover, for those still wavering on their R.O.T.C. has had its share of success of which of Dr. Kezel's credentials influ- scholarship applications. To accomplish future plans or who are interested in fur- and prominence. Last year General enced his hire most, Father Jeffrey von its goals, the Mateo Ricci Society holds ther academic work after graduation the Jack Keane, a 1966 Fordham graduate, Arx, S.J., the dean of Fordham College at several meetings over the academic year Office of Prestigious Fellowships could was the first inductee of the New York Rose Hill, quickly recommended him. to provide social contacts between the prove a valuable resource. Dr. Kezel's City, R.O.T.C. Hall of Fame as a 2nd Since his induction Dr. Kezel has students and faculty, along with practical main office is at the Rose Hill campus in Senior Army Officer. He also received remained an enthusiastic purveyor of fel- advice on proposal writing and interview- Keating 321. However, on alternating an honorary PhD from the university. lowships. Although Dr. Kezel is in charge ing techniques". Additionally, Dr. Kezel Thursdays and Fridays, Dr. Kezel travels Keane is now serving as the Vice Chief of the Prestigious Fellowships for all three is in the process of helping several senior to Lincoln Center and holds office hours in Of State in the U.S. Military. undergraduate schools, he has plans spe- students complete applications for such the Leon Lowenstein Building in Room Despite the show of support from cific to Lincoln Center. As part of his fellowships as "Rhodes, British Marshall, 921 A. To arrange an appointment at either the student body, Bowling feels that efforts to encourage Lincoln Center stu- Fulbright, Gates-Cambridge and George of these locations please e-mail him at students perceive the R.O.T.C. students' dents in their efforts for fellowships he has Mitchell scholarships". [email protected]. • with a great deal of misunderstanding. One misconception is that the R.O.T.C. takes up too much time, but it is less Fordham's R.O.T.C. Sees Increased time consuming than one may* think. Cadets lead essentially the same life as other college students. Another misun-H Enrollement Since WTC Attacks (continued fmm page I) derstanding is that one is required to serve in active duty. "People think because of the attack, it can be said that changes to the website since the WTC survivors. Dooley said they served as traf- they're going to be shipped off to there has been an increased interest since attack, there have been no changes in fic controllers, set up generators and lights, and worked the bucket brigade, passing Germany, but did you know you don't September 11. The R:O.T.C.'s website R.O.T.C.'s practice or curriculum. Dooley have to?" said Bowling. The truth is indicates this. "From May to September said there was no need for change. buckets of debris down a line. While one can participate in R.O.T.C. to join there were 78 hits per weejc on the web- "R.O.T.C. is not designed to be reactionary Bowling said there were no counselors to the Army Reserve or the National deal with grief, his door was open to cadets Guard. Ultimately it is he or she who "Most in here are here for the who wished to talk about the attack. decides whether to be commissioned in According to Dooley, the patriotism that active Army service, the Army desire to serve their country" ensued since the attack has drawn people Reserve, or the National Guard. closer as a nation. "I love the Army," is the "R.O.T.C. remains a tremendous site," said Lt. Col. John Dooley, who teach- to world events." Bowling also agreed that sentiment of Anthony, a new student in opportunity for individuals who feel es senior R.O.T.C. members. "The week change was not necessary. "It's important Major Bowling's R.O.T.C. freshman class. called to serve the notion as leaders/' after September 11 there were 134 hits and to not allow it to change their [cadets] own It is a sentiment that perhaps has more Bowling said. the week after that, 114 hits." He noted that lives and goals because that's exactly what meaning since the World Trade Center attack on September II. Carl Achille, a For those interested in R.O.T.C. or while the volume of those visiting the web- the terrorists want," he said. freshman at John Jay College, feels the for more information about the pro* site reflects an increased interest, it is diffi- Immediately following the attack, same way. "I signed up for teamwork. 1 gram, call 1-800-NYC-ROTC or visit cult to determ ine whose it is. R.O.T.C. cadets were some of the first peo- www.nycrotc.com. • Although there have been significant ple on the scene who started digging for want to be a part of the team." • News October 19,2001

Gone But Not Forgotten (continued from page 1) Professor and Student Speak Out About Loved Ones Lost in Tragedy spontaneous gatherings in Union Square September 18, and in another for CNN who lives in New York and works by the Airlines flight, and at that time I just put [Park] and other places. These humane on September 25. Holland, who could towers," Holland said. "The fact that it the pieces together myself," he said. reactions by ordinary citizens also give not be reached for comment, appeared could be my mom in that plane was just He found out that his sister had made our family comfort and hope," on Larry King Live on September 16 completely foreign to me." it safely to her friend's dormitory on Rodriguez said. He compared these with his sister, Stephanie Holland- Initially Holland thought the plane 14th street, and went downtown to be peaceful reactions to the reactions of Broadney. from Boston that had crashed was on its with her. "My first thought was I had to some people regarding the Protestant Holland told King that, at the time of way to New York. When he realized that get to any sort of family member I and Catholic terrorist attacks in the terrorist attacks, he was in his morn- its intended destination had been Los could," Holland said. "I fried to take a Northern Ireland. ing class. When he found out that a Angeles, however, he figured out what taxi, but it was just chaos. It took me "We see it as the beginning of an anti- plane had hit one of the Twin Towers, he had happened. down as far as 42nd. From 42nd to 14th, terrorist struggle, much like Protestant went to the top floor of the building to "I knew both of my parents were trav- I just had to walk." and Catholic mothers in Northern see them, eling that morning, so I was obviously Holland said that friends in the city Ireland, who, sick with the indiscrimi- "No one knew it was terrorism. extremely concerned, but I was hearing helped get him and his sister home. that it was a flight from Boston to New "Once I did find my sister, thank God "Our son died because Tie-was some kind York, which would make sense. I knew she had some really good friends in the my mother was going to LA and my dad city that just worked with us all day of pawn in a global struggle..." to Chicago, so even at that point I still trying to get us out of there. wasn't too worried," Holland said. Eventually they drove us up to White nate killings on all sides, pressured their Everyone thought it was just a com- "Then I heard that it was a flight from Plains and my dad met us there," he governments and political movements^) muter, not even a commuter plane just - Boston to LA, and then, even then, you said. find new solutions," said Rodriguez. .who knew what it was," Holland said on just try to deny it as much as possible. Holland, who has taken a leave of "We need our leaders for guidance and CN-N^ H+srirst thought was of his sister, The chance that it was her flight and that absence from Fordham, said it would protection, but we also need to guide our Jessica, who was working downtown. it was American Airlines were just still take time to get through the tragedy. "1 leaders as to what we feel and what we "We could see the two towers and so slim in my mind. I checked the e-mail think we can all feel the strength and want." there was just a huge hole in one of [my mom] had sent the night before, and love that my mom left behind^ That's After the attacks, Rodriguez appeared them. But even at that time, the first she told me she was leaving at 7:45 in just pulling us through right now," he in an interview on UPN 9 News on thing I thought of was my other sister the morning. I saw it was an American said. "It's going to take time." • Basketball Coach More Students Hill Brings the Team Leave FCLC

to FCLC (continued from page I) N 1 V E R S I "We are going to be fun to watch," said successful programs, such as Pittsburgh Coach Hill. and Kansas, and a number of years Led by Rose Hill seniors Duke coaching NBA teams such as the Freeman-McKamey, Teremun Johnson, Pacers, Knicks, and Spurs. "He is the and Steve Canal, the Ram's are opti- smartest guy; he always has the mistic that they will have a successful answer," said Canal. season and compete for a place in the "Were going to play the press, and NCAA Tournament come this March. our defense is going to score a lot of "We are carrying a lot of momen- points this year," said Coach Hill of tum," said Coach Hill about the upcom- this season's strategy. It will be less of ing season. on offense-centered attack this season Coach Hill thinks that they have, for the Rams. They will try to use their "...got to become competitive," to get speed and athleticism to force turn- the recognition and exposure they overs by playing tenacious defense in deserve. the offensive side of the court.

"There has got to be some kind of bal- Rita Brunelll ance... We have to learn how to handle Will student withdrawals leave tlys campus empty? By Jessica Arabski see this as a terrible crisis in the college." winning and losing." Charles Boone, Director of On September 28th, McMahon Hall Residential Life and temporary Dean of By, "changing the attitude and cul- When asked what FCLC students residents received a letter from the Rev. Students, agreed. ture," of Basketball at Fordham, Coach could do to help, "Community support Robert Grimes, S.J., Dean of FCLC, that "It hasn't been this large in the past," Hill is confident that his team will be and enthusiasm," is what Coach Hill stated 10 residents, predominantly fresh- said Boone of the number of students very competitive in the Atlantic Ten asked for. men, had decided to leave the school. choosing to leave, "but I don't consider it Conference. Hill said, "As long as students go Grimes noted in the letter that a num- to be an epidemic, either." "We get better when we get to the out and support the team they can ber of those students leaving had con- He made the point that for some stu- bench," said Coach Hill when asked make them feel appreciated for what cerns about Fordham prior to Sept. 1 Ith. dents, the events of Sept. 11 served as a about the strengths of the team. Coach they are doing for the school. If stu- He went on to state that several of the catalyst. Hill and his players believe that they dents show support for the team they students have taken a leave of absence, "There were some students who can play with anyone because they are cannot help but play with more confi- while others plan to enroll in different had questions about whether or not so deep on the bench. dence, and confidence leads to win- institutions. they wanted to be here," said Boone. Consistency seems to be the gqa| of .. ning more game," "There are some people that are leav- "And essentially, this may have made Hill's plan, "There has got to be some, "It's like a family," said senior ing for reasons totally disconnected to it easier for them to make the deci- kind of balance... We have to learn how Steve Canal when asked about the the World Trade Center," said Grimes, sion." to handle winning and losing." said team and their fans. who, upon speaking with The Observer, Boone encourages students with Coach Hill. "Your cheers mean everything to was in the process of comparing the questions, or who know of other stu- What Coach Hill brings to the pro- these kids, you don't how it makes number of student withdrawals with dents with questions, to contact a gram are years of coaching within other them feel," said Coach Hill. • those of previous years. "I certainly don't member of the Resident Life staff. • October 19,2001 News New Year, NewRHA By Nydia Streets the RHA members are very energetic and optimistic," she confirmed. So far, Carter With only four returning members and RHA have organized a white ribbon from last year's staff, the Residence Hall distribution, a vigil, and a mural of stu- Association has fresh ideas to bring to dent's wishes and thoughts in remem- McMahon Hall. Increasing programming brance and support of those affected by and broadening the base of those who the World Trade Center attack. participate in the program are the goals RHA has also worked in conjunction of RHA this year. with the Resident Assistants (RA's) to orga- The RHA, which is comprised of an nize movie nights. On October 4, this team elected executive board and a general board declared the day, "Suitemate Appreciation of fourteen, has quite a few spots to fill. The Day," in which suitemates can send each association serves as an organization which other flowers and candy, as well as play a seeks to improve the quality of life for trivia game similar to "The Newlywed McMahon Hall residents. According to Game", "it went really well. A lot of people

adviser Cathy McGlade, Assistant Director participated," Carter said enthusiastically. Rita Brunelll of Residential Life, the duties of the RHA The ten new members include three The New RHA Executive Board: board include, "Getting people involved freshman representatives, four under- Shown from left to right back row: Mike Manusia, Melissa Leviste, Janet Carter, James and recognizing the needs of the communi- graduate representatives, two law repre- Valetti. Bottom row: Christina Lind, Janio Marrero. Not shown: Adam Santos-Coy, ty." Through methods such as a fitness cen- Ronald del Castillo, Nick George, Heather Ducharme, Adam DiLeo, Marissa Hodges, sentatives, and one new executive board Nicole Spano, Matt Sebra, and Adviser Cathy McGlade. ter survey, RHA hopes to fulfill its commit- member. The association has begun ment to a better quality of life for residents. implementing new programs such as the to the residents' selection of cable chan- target a certain floor. This would promote a Getting people to be interactive and Riddle of the Week contest. This addi- nels. Manusia, who sees RHA as a community in which everyone was con- involved with RHA has projven to be a tion, which was the idea of new RHA "Home Owner's Association, comment- scious of preventing vandalism in the resi- challenge in recent years. "A big prob- Treasurer Nick George FCLC '04, is ed,-"I want to do whatever I can to make dence hall. lem, I think, is that people can't match meant to give the residents an interactive sure we have the best possible selection." "I think this approach is much bet- the face- to the name," said RHA's way of winning movie tickets. Last year Certainly a concern among residents ter than the current rule. If-we are all Director of Public Relations/Ronald del residents only had^ to sign up for the tick- this year is, the "Community Fine" rule held responsible for the vandalism, Castillo FCLC '04. "People know us by ets. The contest calls for residents to earn which punishes every member of a floor people might think twice about dam- name, but they wouldn't know who we, the tickets by solving a riddle, thus pro- if damage is done on that floor and no aging something jmd incurring a [RHA members] were passing them in viding a fun way of interacting with one comes forward to take responsibility* fine," said resident Ade Mangum the halls," he continued. To curb this RHA. Also new is the RHA office locat- for it. Carter is in the process of altering FCLC '02 about the proposed revi- problem, del Castillo has proposed to ed in the Leon Lowenstein building in this rule to make the consequences more sion. post pictures of the RHA board in the res- room 204, allowing RHA members to be fair for everyone. "It's not fair to punish Residents who have concerns or idence hall. He also hopes to distribute a more accessible to students. just the residents on one floor when any- input regarding the residence hall are bi-weekly or > monthly calendar of As a requirement for board members, one from any floor could have done it," strongly encouraged to make use of upcoming RHA events and utilize the each RHA member must contribute three she asserted. Resident Hilarie Burton the RHA office and talk to their RHA mostly vacant bulletin boards in the laun- program ideas per semester. Freshman FCLC '04 certainly agrees. "It's ludi- representatives. dry rooms for publicity. Representative James Valetti FCLC '05 crous. If someone goes vandalizing in a George urges, "If anyone has con- Despite a late start for programming has proposed the ideas of a haunted drunken rage, its not my responsibility," cerns about RHA, come to the office this year, due to the World Trade Center house trip for Halloween, trips to she maintained. and talk to someone directly." RHA tragedy, RHA President Janet Carter Broadway shows and a tour of the A possible alternative to this rule would will continue to sponsor programs FCLC '02 remains optimistic about this Seinfeld studios. One of Law be fining the entire residence hall so that the throughout the year to benefit resi- year's outlook for McMahon Hall. "We Representative Mike Manusia's main expense to each resident would be mini- dents and address the concerns of are really excited about this year. All of concerns is adding the History Channel mized and the punishment would not just those residing in McMahon Hall. • Nimda Virus Attacks Fordham

By Anabclla Rolando mised, the whole server is." Erwin Paterson, Senior User Support The Nimda virus, which according to Specialist, said that once the virus infects a John O'Brien, Manager of Internet PC, it forwards itself by email to all Services at Fordham, seeks out vulnera- addresses found on the user's computer. ble servers and creates a virtual traffic Infected e-mails carry the attachment jam on the Internet, was detected in the README.EXE and on some systems will Quinn Library network over two weeks execute automatically without the user hav- ago. Since then the CIMS staff has been ing to double-click on the attachment. able to .quarantine and remove the virus. "This virus is serious - you can get According to Renato Firson, User stung by browsing the Internet or by Support Manager for the Fordham opening an infected email," said Libraries, the virus caused a server slow Paterson. down and in some cases stopped the To detect the virus, use a virus detec- servers completely. tion program. Symantec, a world leader "The whole system was slowed down on Internet security technology and cre- because of the virus, it was as if the ator of Norton Antivirus, has released whole world had logged on [to] the updated virus definitions that will detect Quinn Library," said Firson. and remove Nimda from your computer. The web servers were so busy accept- To avoid the Nimda Virus, be wary of ing Nimda's probes, that those on the mail attachments that you don't know Internet notice a slowdown. In some anything about, (this also applies to web,, cases, the server itself comes to a com- Rita Brunilll downloads). It is strongly suggested that plete halt;. Fordham's comptcrs prove vulnerable to infection anti-virus software be used to scan any- O'Brien said that Nimda creates confi- thing that you receive in your e-mail. dentiality and security problems because it machines, and if the machines are vul- more robust server", said O'Brien. "It's very easy for a computer virus to overwrites the safety features on the server. nerable it overwrites the machine "What does this mean? It means that not be present in an e-mail from your best "The virus probes unattended instructions and directs an attack on a only your computer files are compro- friend"j said Paterson. • Commentar October-19, 2001

The Observer

Editorial Editor-in-Chief Paul Hagen Managing Editor Kristen Sardis ... News Editor Katie Jennings Associate NewsEditor Eric Andersson- Fearing the Hand that Feeds You Commenlary Editor Jennifer Schiavone Ass. Commentary Editor Chloe Pashman Arts Editor Beata Loyfman Associate Arts Editor Cynthia Rodriguez . By Paul Hagen country where acts of terrorism are com- there is not much that can be done to stop Features Editor Lisa de Ribere Larkin monplace. You know a bomb can be hid- it. The dropping of food has no such Lauren Quigley Literary Editor Chris Monfette den anywhere; so you think, "Wouldn't a fiery bang to let the dropper know where Imagine this: you live in Afghanistan Dan Murphy and you are starving. You find a small package of food be an ideal disguise in a its landed. Some of the food will find its Assistant Literary Editor Brooke Whitley yellow bag that apparently came out of nation full of starving people?" way into the mouths of hungry people. Copy Editor Barbara McAlpine nowhere. On it, there are words in a lan- Even if it isn't a bomb, it might still be Some of it will be confiscated by the Photography Editor Rita Brunelli guage you cannot read and some pictures, dangerous. It could contain poisonous Taliban regime. Some of it will be found including one of the U.S. flag. You have chemicals or the germs of a disease engi- by men and women like the one in the Graphic Design Editors Carrie Lam heard that this nation's planes have been neered by the U.S. government. What if above story who will have to choose Lisa Vim dropping food and bombs, and you have you brought that disease back home with between the promise of food and the Graphic Designers Mario Daniil to ask yourself, "Which one of those you? What if you were forced out of your threat of danger. Darisa Diaz things is in this package?" home to escape the U.S. missiles and So, to those of you who protest, Hcllen Lee You have been saturated with anti- infected a whole camp of refugees with "Send food not bombs," I say, "You can't Pfydia Streets American propaganda for years. You this disease? Your empty stomach is bat- give a hand-out to someone who's been Online Editor Tatiana Deligiannakis have no way of judging the validity of tling with your imagination, and, in the taught to fear your hand." What we need Assistant Online Editor Marisa Flores this information because you have very end, you would rather continue to be hun- to send the Middle East is a new under- few sources of information, all of which gry, a pain you know all too well, than standing for those who have been taught Business Manager Josephine Trombino are completely controlled or closely mon- risk some other, potentially more devas- to hate the U. S. In order for them to Faculty Advisor Dr. Elizabeth Stone itored by the Taliban government. The tating pain. You leave the package where understand, those who teach hate must Graphics Advisor Dawn Eshelman flag on this package is a symbol you have it lies. You will never know that the be undermined and those who have learned to hate. It represents a country of words on the package read, "Food gift learned hate must be given an opportu- devils. You would be foolish to trust from thefieople of the United States of nity to learn something else. But something with a picture of the U.S. flag America." Even if you could have, you because an intellectual battle does not Board of Advisors on it. probably would have made the same offer quick and easy results, because its Julie Farin, Director of Marketing Veronis, There are other pictures, though. decision, the safe decision. weapons cannot be dropped from a Suhler & Associates; Anthony Giglio, These pictures seem to'Indicate how to Humanitarian aid to Afghanistan - plane or fired from a submarine, because . Executive Editor, Drinks.com; Clarisel open various food wrappers and contain- looks good on paper, ''lif.S, Drops ;Fgod we would rather get revenge than pre- 'Gonzalez, Reporter, Union News & Sunday ; vent' World War III, we'll just keep on Republican; Sean Gallagher, Producer, Online ers. You salivate as you look at the pic- andI Bombs* sounds ^g^eStde|| ifairer Science Section, The New York rimes; Lynette tures. You can almost taste the beans and than "U;$rBbrn& Afgiiinistah.'' In real- sending food they are afraid to eat and Harrison.Publisher, W Magazine; Melissa rice, peanut butter, jam, pastry and crack- ity, the two are not comparable. It's pret- bombs, which only serve to justify the Harts, TV Producer, WBIS, Cassandra Hayes, ers. But you've lived your whole life in a ty evident when a bomb does its job, and fear that they' ve been taught. • Careers Editor, Black Enterprise; Vivian Lake, Reporter, Jersey Journal; Denise Holzka, Attorney; Mintzer & Sarowitz, Mina Landriscina, Business Reporter, Poughkeepsie Journal; Brian McDonald, Author, My Father's Gun; Lori Majewski.Entertainment Editor, Teen People; Fran Brancatelli Jordan's Comeback Marino,Editor, Petersons Guides, Inc.; Gary Rosen,Vice President, LB Lipman Public Payback Time or Just Like Old Times? Relations. All members of the Fordham com- By Conor Drury . help him. Instead, he has a roster filled limelight. I disagreed with the way in munity are welcome to submit letters to with young, inexperienced players which he returned to basketball. At the editor of The Observer, the indepen- He is back. After three years of such as Richard Hamilton and Jahidi first, he told the media he was "just dent student newspaper of Fordham aging that consisted of losing golf bets, White, leftovers from a Wizard's team getting" in shape" by practicing with College at Lincoln Center, New York, cutting himself with cigar cutters, and that finished 19-63 last year, good for the Wizards. Then, Jordan got serious, NY. Address all letters to the editor to: trying to revive the Washington second to last place in the Eastern inviting an elite group of Chicago- Letters to the Editor Wizard's franchise as partial owner, Conference. It seems too easy to dis- area ballplayers to scrimmage with The Fordham Observer Michael Jordan has un-retired for the miss Jordan and his team's chances of him. Those who participated were 113 West 60th St. Room 408 second time. winning at this point in his career. I sternly notified that they were not to New York, NY 10023 Why is he returning again? He is myself am holding onto the hope that say anything about Jordan and his Letters to the editor may also be sub- universally hailed as the greatest bas- he will be embarrassed by the league's game at the age of 38. After keeping mitted via campus mail and should be ketball player ever. He led the Chicago young superstars, and that he will be the basketball world on the edges of addressed to: The Observer, Rm., 408, Bulls to three successive NBA champi- run into retirement, another sports leg- their seats for months, he seemed to Lowenstein. onships on two separate occasions, end who did not know when to retire, a be ready to announce his un-retire- from 1991 to 1993 and 1996 to 1998, la Muhammad Ali. ment...again. However, while many the second string cementing his status For years, Michael Jordan has tor- press members gathered into a room fur-profit publication of l-'ordham in basketball immortality, as it came tured my beloved New York Knicks, for what they thought would be Jordan's press conference, "His University, Fordham College at after he retired for a year to play base- . eliminating them from the playoffs Lincoln Center. New York, New York. Airness" was nowhere to be found. I ball. At 38, Jordan is past his prime. three times, along with the rest of the The opinions expressed in The He admits that he has lost some of his league. The only thing that annoyed can understand that Jordan thinks he Observer, including, but not limited to, extraordinary leaping ability and lethal me more than his arrogant swagger was does not owe the press anything. those in articles, letters, editorials, first step. Instead of shooting guard, the fact that he backed it up year after However, it was the media that helped graphics, photographs, headlines and his old position, he will play small for- year. Despite facing constant double- him become the worldwide icon he is subheudlines, and cartoons, are those of ward in order to minimize his loss of teaming and opposing teams gearing to today. After teasing the press and bas- the individual contributor and/or editor speed. Many people do not want him stop him, Jordan defied the odds, lead- ketball fans alike, Jordan selfishly and do not necessarily reflect the views of the [Editorial Board or Fordham to come back, fearing he will taint his ing the Bulls to six world titles. Just allowed hundreds of people to waste their time in anticipation of a press University. No port of The Observer legacy as the greatest ever to play the once, I wished the Knicks could beat may be reproduced without the conference he never meant to attend. I game. NBA superstars are chomping at Jordan in his prime and wipe that arro- expressed, written consent of The the bit, anxious to take it to the once gant smile off his face. Hopefully, this think it is despicable for a person to Observer Editorial Board, Letters to the invincible Jordan. The Eastern year my dreams will come true and show such a lack of respect for any- editor and all general Inquiries should Conference, in which the Wizards play, Jordan will fall back to mortal status in one, let alone the people who revere be addressed to: The Observer Kdilorlal is filled with ultra-talented small for- the basketball world. him and helped him become what he is Hoard, Fordhnm College ul Lincoln wards, from Glenn Robinson to Tracy Not only do I despise Michael today. Center, 113 West 60th Street, Room 408. New York. New York 10023 or McGrady and Latrell Sprewell. Also, Jordan's confidence and ability on the Michael says he is returning for "love Jordan does not have Phil Jackson, of the game." His salary for playing bas- fused to (212)6.16-7047. Phone: (212) court, I think he is a conceited super- 636-6015/60 If). Scottie Pippen, or Dennis Hodman to star who cannot bear not being in the ketball this (continued on page 9) October 19,2001 Commentai My Mayor, Me and the My Hero City of Sin By Mike Iarrobino was only after I actually paid to watch men strip that I realized my town would I went home this past Columbus Day probably disown me. In fact, I paid $49 to weekend, and was suddenly reminded watch the glorified Chippendale's show why I experienced culture shock when 1 known as "The Full Monty", and, yes, in first got to NYC, some six weeks ago. My case you were wondering, I will now be hometown, Rockport, MA, is a place so panhandling on the street in order to pay removed from mainstream culture that the for my education. Donations of cash- sidewalks are rolled up promptly at 9 P.M. money may be sent to my suite. (Do you know where your children are?), But I'm getting off track. I was talking and any conversation with a member of online to one of my friends who is now a the opposite sex is the equivalent of high school senior, and he seemed jealous tantric-three-way monkey-copulation here that 1 had gotten to see "The Full Monty." in NYC. In other words, the closest thing Actually, he seemed jealous of everything to a wild night out is a trip to the Topsfield I've been doing here in NYC. I calmly Fair, some twenty miles down the high- explained to him (actually, boasted way, that actually has a ride called "the breathlessly) that The Big City was possi- zipper" and, I kid you not, the World's bly the most exciting thing I had ever Greatest Concentration of Methane from experienced since Rockport allowed all the cows in the vicinity. Dunkin' Donuts to open up a twenty-four I'm sure you can imagine my conster- hour drive-thru window. According the nation upon arriving in New York: the respect due to such an earth-shattering New England bred, hometown boy in the statement, my friend responded, "Holy midst of the City of Sin. No doubt my @#$%!"

parents thought as they unloaded their -.; Speaking of @#$%, the cafeteria, so I only child's belongings at The University read the other week, was ranked third in the Big City, their son was going to the worst in a survey of college students depths of hell. Sure, they had seen nationwide. All I have to say is, "Shut up, Fordham before, but we all know how you bunch of whiners." If you want to see much they actually show you on those a ghetto lunch, come visit Rockport High tours...(AH of a sudden the city where School with me. Their idea of selection is you can find any number of adult-oriented to have (Students choose between baked erotic stores becomes an "educational @#$% or @#$%-on^a-stick. But hey, if resource"). you're really that bent out of shape over Come to think of it, my parents were the selection/taste of Fordham's food, then right. I was in hell. I first realized this protest. Refuse to buy anything from the when I went to get my first haircut in The cafeteria at all, and give your account bal- City. Being from a small town where the ance to me. barber knows exactly what you want, I But this is a column about New York was unsure of how to communicate effec- City, not Fordham's cafeteria. I've discov- tively to the "hair stylist" that I wanted a ered that the one thing that Rockport has good haircut and not a crappy one. over New York City is, get this: ping-pong Mayor Rudolph Guiliani adresses the media at a press conference I should have realized I was out of my balls. Don't even bother looking in the city league, though, when the "hair stylist" for ping-pong balls, because I found every offered me a cup of tea. Thinking that this single store (a total of three, I believe) that Regina Kenig has proven to be a true leader. He was some attempt to divert my attention sells them and bought their entire stocks. informed New Yorkers about the latest from the mirror where I was carefully A bit absurd, by the way, that any number Q: Who was on the streets with the that was taking place at 'ground zero'. monitoring the haircut's progress, I of illegal drugs can be found on the near- people at what is now known as He attended the funerals of police offi- refused, and mentally cursed myself for est street corner, (forget street drugs, I'm 'ground zero' during the morning of cers and firefighters. He gave hope and going to the "Fordham Fave," Dramatics addicted to instant messenger,) but ping- September 11th? sympathy to the Victims and their fami- NYC. It wasn't really that bad, though, pong balls are nowhere to be found. A: Mayor Giuliani. lies and did it very professionally. Rudy and the price ($18) was only slightly more Besides at my dorm room, of course. I'll Q: .Who held meetings to inform peo- was there for us like a city mayor than the entire economic output of my be selling them at a 350% mark-up in ple of what is going on in New York should be. It is unfair that'due to the hometown on any given week. price. After all, I've got to come up with City in the days and weeks follow- term limits rule he has to leave office. That was only the beginning, though. It another $49 to see men strip. • ing September 11th? Perhaps term limits should be done A: Mayor Giuliani. away with altogether. Q: Who was there to give people hope, I've always liked Rudy Giuliani for the compassion, and guidance during great work he has done in improving the New York City's darkest hour? quality of life in New York City. And A: Mayor Giuliani. whether you love him or hate him, you have to admit that he handled this horri- So why is Mayor Giuliani supposed ble crisis well. New York needs him now to leave office when New York City like they have never needed him before. needs him the most? Oh yeah...that evil The candidates lined up to take his place, law about term limits. (none of whom I particularly like), don't Rudy Giuliani's second term in seem to be prepared to lead the city office is about to expire, and because of through the cleanup and rebuilding. term limits he cannot run again. New When the candidates were asked about York City mayors, like the President of whether Giuliani should serve a third the US, are allowed a maximum of two, term, Mark Green, the democrat running 4-year terms in office. That may be the to take Giuliani's place, stated that he law, and that may be how New York shouldn't because we must try to get back City was run before September 11th, to normal and Giuliani running again but on that day many things changed. I doesn't keep with the 'normal' democrat- think this term limits rule should ic practices of the city. Democratic, change as well. shmucratic, the guy just wants to get Rita Bnmtlll elected! (continued on page 10) For the last month, Mayor Giuliani Times Square, the heart of "sin" in the big city Commenta October 19,2001 Bombers and Beans . areas which the Taliban hasn't fully money and aid will go not to the .people, of the aid packages dropped starting on wrapped in their claws. The Afghan peo- but to the regimes. Thus the regimes get October 7th will show them who their ple there live in tent cities, with little even stronger, and their desperate people benefactors are. The U.S. has already sources of water and food. even more dependant upon them, and the promised another $320 million in aid to Already some humanitarian groups, great Circle of Life continues unabated. the Afghan people, with eveft more ear- such as Conscience International (judg- These same groups are sometimes marked to come. Most of this aid, 4ng by that title, they must have an awfuf- allowed to operate within these countries though, will go to a different ly high opinion of themselves), are to provide food, supplies, and services. Afghanistan; one in which the Taliban, claiming that these packages are just Of course, this is all dependent on those the crazed, oppressive militia with an "military propaganda" designed to win regimes granting permission for the increasingly fragile hold over the people over the Afghans and the Americans, and group to be there, so the aid groups are of their country, no longer exists. The are a drop in the bucket that will not suf- loathe to criticize the governments military strikes upon them and their ter- ficiently help the starving people of directly. Safer to criticize the U.S. and rorist allies, the pressure put upon them ' Afghanistan. other countries, and to simply demand by opposing rebel forces within Well, of course it won't! That should more. • '"^ Afghanistan, and the realization by the be obvious. 37,500 packages a day alone Mls'ha j'aparidze/The AssociatedPre'ss These humanitarian groups are sim- Afghan people that the Taliban are no will not help the problem of millions of ple-minded in their apolitical take on the longer powerful and are now vulnerable, Afghan child with air dropped food parcel starving Afghans. The bombs and mis- probjem of aid to the needy. Many times, will sweep them from the* face of the siles that are destroying the infrastructure though, this view is the result of an - Earth. By Stephen Lemongello of the Taliban regime are doing the most instinctive urge in them to get as much Boxes dropped from airplanes will In the skies over the nation of to help that problem. The sooner the help as possible to these people, and then no longer be necessary, as we will Afghanistan appear refrigerator-size be able to give the people their supplies boxes plummeting from the cargo planes. "Why some groups are criticizing our efforts to help out directly. And the aid groups who criti- As they drop, the boxes open up, and cize the food drops will then be free to do upon the soil flutter bright yellow pack- even a few thousand people, while we are actively trying to what they do best - help people in need. ages marked with American flags. In Will they give any thought to why they English, French, and Spanish, their out- destroy the very regime that is causing them to be starving in are allowed in Afghanistan, and why the. sides read: "Food gift from the people of people there are so much better off than the United States." A picture on the out- the first place, is completely beyond comprehension." they were? Maybe not, but the Afghan side of the packages shows a person eat- people will, and the single-minded goal ing, just to make sure that the finder Taliban are gone, the sooner the problem soon. It must be nice to be able to have of the aid groups, of simply helping peo- knows what's inside of it. of feeding the Afghan people is going to simple, focused goals. Unfortunately, we ple, period, will be infinitely easier. • Inside is a meal designed to sustain the be soived. Why some groups are criti- all live in the real world, where decisions average adult for pne day, at 2,200 calo- cizing our efforts to help out even a few must be tempered with the facts, such as ries (including 60% carbohydrates). thousand people, while we are actively the type of rulers under which these peo- Beans with tomato sauce, beans: with trying to destroy the very regime that is ple are living. tomato vinaigrette, a biscuit, a fruit bar, a causing them to be starving in the first The United States has,, in fact, been fruit pastry, short bread, peanut butter, place, is completely beyond comprehen- helpful to starving peoples of the world. strawberry jam, salt, and pepper. There sion. In Afghanistan alone over the last 12 is no meat, especially no pork, as the A guess would be that these people are months, the U.S. has supplied over $ 184 Islamic religion forbids it; and each trying'to exist outside political reality. million in aid, over half of that amount in package includes not only a spoon and Many times, these groups will complain wheat alone. But America has made sure napkin, but also a match. The packages about the starving people of a random that these supplies have actually benefit- cost four dollars each, and there are over dictatorship, without realizing that it is ed the Afghan people, and haven't been two million of these packages ready to be the dictator or totalitarian regime itself squandered by the Taliban. The Afghan dropped inside Afghanistan. that is the main cause of the starvation. people probably weren't told by their ' The food drops are taking place in The groups demand more money and aid loving leaders where the supplies came Misha Japaridze/Ttie Associated Press specific areas of the country, mainly rural for these countries, when of course all from, but the American flags on the sides Volunteers distribute US-sponsored food" Commercialization of a Tragedy By Danielle Holly needed to support each other. Many people on the boat were on their "Get your t-shirts here. Get your t- way to work in the World Trade Center shirts" he shouted. Reminiscent of a and were forced to watch their offices boardwalk, amusement park-style burn and imagine the worst for their co- proclamation, I almost forgot that I was workers already inside. Complete on the Staten Island ferry, heading home strangers grabbed each other's hands and after classes. I looked up from the book held the more devastated up until they that I had been momentarily lost in, to could return home. It was quite a differ- have my eyes fall on a middle-aged man, ent scene from that I was witnessing sev- with a mound of large white t-shirts eral weeks later, as the same people were draped over his left arm. In his right heading home from. work, trying to hand he held up for view one of the t- return to whatever normalcy they could shirts he was lugging around. Osama bin find. This profiteer, with no concern for Laden's face with the words, "Wanted:" the sensitivity of friends and relatives of above his head and, "Dead or Alive," the victims who were probably on the below, mimicking a controversial news- ferry, walked up and down the narrow paper cover from a few weeks ago. I was aisles, shouting for attention. horrified. People had begun the attempt The next day as I headed back into to prpfit from the worst terrorist attack fi Manhattan, similar efforts to make Rita Brunelli we've ever seen. A street vendor sells photos of the Twin Towers. money off of the disaster seemed to It was, unbelievably, about a month strike me from all sides. On street cor- ago that I was on the same ferry heading place. Immediately everyone on the boat stereotypically impolite "New Yorker" ners there were huge color prints of the into Manhattan when the attacks took lost every nuance of what is considered a and there was a consensus that we all World Trade Center burning for $20 each. Postcards, t-shirts, banners, "There is a vast difference between selling pictures of the Towers as they bumper stickers and posters all depicting the horrible scenes that we have been stood on the skyline for thirty years and selling the pictures of their destruc- inundated with since September 1 lth. • Before I had realized the mass com- tion, along with doctored pictures of Osama bin Laden and the Taliban." mercialization (continued on page 10) October 19, 2001 Commentary Payback Time or Just

Like Old Times? (continued from page 6)

year is just over $1 million, an amazing Michael Jordan is back to take over the bargain in the NBA. However, he does not NBA, a league that has blossomed with need the money, as he already is worth young stars such as Kobe Bryant and Allen millions upon millions, thanks to many Iverson and begun to cement its own iden- endorsement deals. In fact, he generously tity in the "post-Jordan" era. As always, donated his salary to the relief efforts in the Jordan is confident h6 will thrive once September I lth terrorist attacks. No* it's again. While it would not surprise me if he not the money, but the spotlight that he scored 30 points a game and led the woeful' misses. After being the center of the bas- Wizards into the playoffs, I have an intense ketball world for the last decade, he could desire to see him fail. He has won so many "No, it's not the money, but the spotlight that he misses. After being the center of the basketball world for the last decade, he could not silently stand on the sidelines."

not silently stand on the sidelines, watching times; he deserves to feel the pain and as Kobe Bryant and Shaq dominated the humility of defeat, which he has inflicted league en route to the Lakers' second on so many teams and their fans. While it straight title. It is almost as if Jordan seems unreasonable for Jordan to return to planned out his whole complicated career. all-world status, at the same time it almost His first retirements opened the way for his seems inevitable. Until then, I hold out heroic comeback, and it now seems he is hope that I will witness the fall of Jordan planning a sequel to match his previous and finally be able to cheer his^ defeat. Jordan Announces his second NBA comeback work in basketball. Only time will tell. •

Fordham University proudly announces the Loyola Chair in the Humanities 2001 Lecture

Rev. John O'Malley, SJ. Professor of Church History at the Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, and leading historian on the Renaissance, Reformation and Counter-reformation will present a lecture "The Big Picture: Four Cultures of Western Christianity"

Tuesday, October 30, 2001 at 4 p.m. William D. Walsh Family Library | Flom Auditorium

Fordham University | Rose Hill Campus 441 East Fordham Road | Bronx, New York

Admission is free and a reception will follow. For more information, contact the Office of the Academic Vice President, (718) 817-3040.

New York City's Jesuit University Gommenta October 19, 2001 Steps Toward Healing By Danielle Sonnenberg 7- Be open to new things. If you shelter yourself, closing yourself off from cer- As of September 11, I realized that I tain experiences, your life will be lim- could easily improve the quality of my ited. life. I began to ask myself some simple 8- Enjoy the little things. Sometimes the questions: Why do I make life more com- simplest of things bring the most plea- plicated than it has to be? What is impor- sure. Remember when you were a tant for me in my life? What are some child, and you had the biggest smile on ways that I can make a difference-in other your face just from making a snow- people's lives? I realize that there are easy man? Keep that mentality when look- ways to make my life and the lives of oth- ing for what makes you happy. ers around me better. These methods are 9- Always keep your word. Trust is easy, but require an open mind and a important in times of uncertainty. desire to change. Please join me in 10- Slow down. What's the rush? Take improving the quality of our lives. the time to enjoy a beautiful day with the people you care about. 1- Smile at those around you. A smile 11- Be appreciative of what you have. It costs nothing and it makes people feel is easy to get caught up in looking for good. what you don't have and forget that 2- Hold the door open for someone you you have a lot for which to be thankful. don't know. It's easy enough to look Spend a few minutes a day writing behind you and it's a horrible feeling to down what you do appreciate. have a door shut on your face. 12- Don't stop your life because of what 3- End conversations with, "be well." It happened. We have to show these cow- gives people the feeling that you care, ards that we will not let anyone tell us that what happens to them is important how to live our lives. to you. 4-Don't sweat the small things. If some- All of these steps require peopie to one knocks into you on the street don't actually think about the quality of their Mourners light candles at a vigil in Union Square. start cursing at him- it was probably lives. Don't get caught up in the rush of just an accident. your everyday existence. Wouldn't life be that there are people who are loyal, caring students learn to read, or be a friend to 5- Say thank-you. It's easy to say and a more enjoyable if we actually stopped and thoughtful. Don't stop your life and a senior citizen. The best way you can feeling of appreciation is always once in a while? In order to get through lock yourself in a room. You will allow impact another is by leaving an imprint important. times of uncertainty, we must join togeth- those people who committed this sense- on his life. This can be accomplished by 6- Listen to people. Most people talk er and create an atmosphere of love. As less act of violence to succeed. giving a part of yourself to him or her. more than they listen. By being the weather outside gets colder, and as the Find those people who care about When you spend time with a person, patient, people feel that they can world prepares for changes, we must cre- you and create meaningful communi- you give him something that he can't express themselves more freely. We ate a community of togetherness. This ties. Do something that can impact oth- get anywhere else. Time is the greatest '/ can have two-way conversations. community will give people the feeling ers in a positive way. Volunteer to help gift you can give. • Commercialization My Mayor,

of a Tragedy My hero (continued from page 7) (continuedfrom page 8)

of the attacks that had emerged on the the site would be given, to every single (I apologize to the Green supporters.) Columbus Day Parade. Many New streets of New York City, I was con- family of the victims in beautiful wood New York City has a great leader. Yorkers know the terrific job Giuliani is cerned about mass producing of post- urns, absolutely free. These thieves, Why do we have to elect someone new doing and if given the chance to run cards of the TwinTowers and what seeking to selfishly profit from the to take his place, especially considering again, Giuliani would win this years seemed to be an exclusively profit-ori- tragedy, represented the lowest point he would run a third term if he could? It election by a landslide. New Yorkers ented spirit behind their selling. reached thus far. is because of the term limits law that are not stupid. If the mayor were doing However, there is a vast difference Although many people have good leaders are forced to leave office a lousy job in office, the city's people between selling pictures of the Towers revealed their complete lack of human and not so good ones are left to run in would not re-elect him or her. Perhaps as they stood on the skyline for thirty decency, there has been an overall an election to take their place. It the lawmakers in charge should rethink years and selling the pictures of their change in the attitude of New Yorkers. destruction, along with doctored pic- I have witnessed acts of human kind- tures of Osama bin Laden and the ness and consideration on the busy "Rudy was there for us like a city Taliban. People want to have pictures streets of Manhattan that would not of the Towers in remembrance, so have occurred before. Of course it is a whether the people that are producing far cry from the group support I wit- mayor should be. It is unfair that them en mass have honorable inten- nessed on the ferry that horrible morn- tions or not, they do serve a purpose. ing. Still, attitudes are, for the most But to flash us with pictures of the part, very distant from these profit- due to the term limits law he has mass destruction at "Ground Zero," seeking lowlifes who are now speck- and "Wanted" posters of Osama bin ling the streets. When I looked up Laden, serves only to trivialize and from my book that night and stared to leave office." injure the victims' families as well as with disgust at the stack of Osama bin all New Yorkers. Laden t-shirts, I caught the eye of the reminds me of where we were last year, the term limits rule and let Giuliani run Several days later, I heard Mayor person sitting on the bench across forced to choose between Gore and for a third term. If the person is willing Giuliani had warned against con artists from me. She too was horrified and Bush, which some would argue were and able to run, such a law shouldn't approaching relatives of the victims with gave me a knowing glance, nodding not the best candidates. But that is stand in his or her way. Mark Green fake ashes and steel from the site in her head before returning to the news- beside the point. was right about the fact that we live in attempts to sell them to victims' families. paper that she was reading. People Giuliani is doing a great job running a democracy, and getting back to nor- Preying on the most vulnerable, these peo- have agreed that what these "entrepre- this city, particularly now in the after- mal means continuing our democratic , pie were somewhat successful/ as these neurs" are doing is wrong, whjch is math of the September llth attacks. ways. Democracy means government by families tried desperately to find any possibly the only good thing to come He receives a standing ovation and • the people. The people, for the most part, memento of their loved ones or some sort out of this conscious disregard of the thunderous applause wherever he goes, want Giuliani in office. So I say give the of connection to the entire disaster. gravity of the tragedy we all now have whether it be during President Bush's people of New York City what they want Giuliani announced later that ashes from to deal with. • address to the nation, or October 8th's and let Giuliani run again. • October 19. 2001 Commentary page 11 If I Could, I Would, But I Don't Know How By Christopher Roddy Freedom's light burning warm ° Everywhere around the world It is pointless to try and measure the state of affairs with words that cannot paint for They're coming to America lack of a better word, scary, pictures we have seen either on television. Nor can they Every time that flag's unfurled capture the breathtaking view of thousands upon millions wearing, carrying, and bear- They're coming to America ing the flag. So, I have decided to try and do what many others have at Union Square, Got a dream to take them there Washington Park, Central Park, and around the nation have done. Use someone else's They're coming to America words express what I feel. Got a dream they've come to share Hope is a powerful thing and perhaps the only thing we have to go on right now. They're coming to America Hope for survivors. Hope for closure. Hope for change. Hope for peace. Hope. I wouldn't technically call this a poem or a song. To be honest, I am not sure what it is. So don't hang on to ill will, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky I do know that I have turned to music that stirs our hearts, bring tears to our eyes, and It slips away, all your money won't another minute buy comforts us. * Hate, rage, war, all pointless So, I guess this is a song of songs, dedicated to all who need consolation. Music All we are is dust in the wind produces an effect as described by Mendelssohn: "The thoughts which are expressed to me by music that I love are not too indefinite to be put into words, but on the contrary, And so take a moment to ... too definite." Imagine there's no heaven Let this collection of music lyrics make concrete the abstract emotions New Yorkers It's easy if you try and Americans feel over four weeks later. Try and do what you can to keep on smil- No hell below us ing or volunteering, but at the very least keep hope alive. Don't turn on your fellow Above us only sky Americans because of race or religion. Don't turn on your fellow man. Hope for the Imagine all the people imperishable spirit of humanity will carry us through. "When you lose wealth you lose Living for today... much. When you lose a friend you've lost more. When you lose hope you've lost every- Imagine there's no countries thing." It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for A Song for Unsung Heroes: A Collection of Music in Memoriam And no religon too If the sky that we look upon Imagine all the people Should tumble and fall Living life in peace- And the mountain should crumble to the sea Imagine no possesions I won't cry, I won't cry I wonder if you can No I won't shed a tear No need for greed or hunger Just as long as you stand, stand by me In a brotherhood of man Imagine all the people As we believe in houses built in the sky Sharing all the world... And love that lifts us high You may say i'm a dreamer We believe in sun that looks over our But i'm not the only one I hope some day you'll join us Shoulders and brings our shadows together l Xes And the world will be as one Our hearts are one Our bodies, too (Thanks to: John Lennon, Crosby Stills and Nash, Billy Joel, Neil Diamond, Joni And it's so good everytime Mitchell, Kansas, and Edwin Starr for encouraging words and music and Phish for the We make a wish article title) • And let it come true

So I say to you, of tender years, You who can't know the fears that your elders grew by. And so please help them with your youth, They seek the truth before the"y can die. Teach your parents well. Their children's hell will slowly go by. And feed them on your dreams, The one they picks, the one you'll know by.

So, Goodnight, my angel Now it's time to dream And dream how wonderful your life will be Someday your child may cry And if you sing this lullabye Then in your heart There will always be a part of me Someday we'll all be gone But lullabyes go on and on... They never die That's how you And I Will be

We know we never will be perfect Never entirely clear We get hurt and we just panic And we strike out Out of fear

But War-I despise 'Cos it means destruction Of innocent lives War means tears To thousands of mothers how When their sons go off to fight And lose their lives I said War- It's an enemy of all mankind No point of war 'Cos we are all hUMAN.

America is Home, to a new and a shiny place Flowers, candles and flags fill Union Square at Memorial Vigil Where we make our bed, and we'll say our grace Features October 19, 2001 A Firsthand Account Volunteering With the Red Cross

By Jessica Arabski even direct him to the Armory on and I work two hours after our shifts have Lexington and 26th Street. The children ended. We're finally able to pull ourselves Like many others in Manhattan, my glance back at us. Their sadness lingers in away and spill out onto 23rd Street com- roommate, a friend, and I stumble into the the foyer long after they leave. pletely drained and disturbed. Red Cross Center on Lexington and 66th A woman who has been waiting to I am absolutely exhausted coming Street the Friday after the collapse of the speak to us is speechless. She turns away, home that night and frustrated as well. World Trade Center. We're lucky and trying to collect herself before asking us The bureaucracy has gotten to me, and I manage to sit in on a four-hour class, where she can drop off donations. silently vow to cut back my volunteering. which prepares us to be certified, local The rest of the day passes quietly. We But of course that doesn't happen, and I disaster volunteers (LDV). are very depressed by the Arabic family end up working on Houston Street, at the We expect never to be called back and are both glad when the evening ends City As School, that Friday night from again, but all three of us get shelter and we can head back to the dorms. midnight to 8 a.m. The night is fairly assignments the next day. My roommate I get a call on Monday night asking uneventful, with the exception of a slight- and 1 drag ourselves out of bed at 4:15 me to volunteer the following Tuesday at ly intoxicated man claiming he's a rescue a'.m. to get to the Red Cross shelter oper- the Fashion Industry High School on 24th worker. Other than that, this shelter is ated from Washington Irving High Street and Seventh Avenue. I'm sup- much quieter than the others, and I stay up School, which is about a block away from posed to work a 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. shift. most of the night, alternating sleep with Union Square. There are about 12 people I arrive a little early. The first thing I passages from The Autobiography of staying there.. notice is that the shelter has absolutely no Malcolm X. Part of our responsibilities, includes spirit. The sleeping area is cloistered in That same night I get called to work, speaking with everyone who enters the the gym and is lined with cots. I cant help another midnight to 8 a.m. shift. I gently shelter. Most of the day we direct sup- but notice it's like a morgue. Nobody try to explain to the woman on the other

plies, talk with would-be volunteers, read seems happy. end of the line that I've been awake for Kristen O'Brien day-old copies of the Post and Times, and I talk quietly with Rebecca, another almost 36 hours and hardly even remem- Jessica Arabski sign residents in and out of the building. volunteer. She tells me about her friend, ber my own name. She negotiates, and We're having a conversation when a an attendant on the flight that crashed I'm assigned to Ground Zero for a mid- streaming into the school. I feel obligated young man interrupts us. He's not much outside Pittsburgh a week ago. We watch night to 8 a.m. shift Tuesday morning. to force rain gear and towels on everyone. older than we are and greets us politely. as people begin to wake up. One woman I have to take the A train out to the Red Half of them reject my offer, saying He proceeds to tell us his story. wearing a business suit begins to put on Cross on High Street in Brooklyn. After they're already soaked. For the most part, His mother and uncle, who worked in the makeup. She looks like she's getting up over an hour of briefing, we board,a bus though, the towels are a hit. Twin Towers, are both missing. He lives to go to work, but climbs back into bed and cross the Brooklyn Bridge. "You guys are great," sighs a worn- downtown and ran the moment the first instead. After talking with her we find out I won't try to describe how positively looking FBI agent. Its so ironic. I have lit- Tower collapsed. He's been wandering she's an actress, just moved from Los wrong it looks not to see the World Trade erally been standing inside all night pass- Manhattan for four days without his contact Angeles, and was looking for an apartment Center towering above the Financial ing out towels. He's been digging for bod- lenses, needs to get to .his friends house in at the time the Towers fell. It becomes District. It is exactly two weeks after the ies in the rain. Jersey, is broke, and thinks some counseling clear to us she isn't coping well. Several planes hit, but comprehension is still I can't believe the representation of is in order before he has a full-fledged ner- social workers from Michigan work with impossible. agencies, I see people from the Army, vous breakdown. The mental health work- her for most of the day. I'm three blocks uptown from the FBI, Coast Guard, National Guard, US er, who's been bored all day, perks up. There's a man in the corner from World Trade Center, on Murray Street, Customs, as well as a slew of police and Its amazing how quickly our problems Munich, Germany. He came to Manhattan looking down the Westside Highway firemen from all over the country. I watch can become insignificant. The man for the Michael Jackson concert the week- which is lit with floodjights and is a gaunt- the various groups streaming in and out until it becomes daylight. "You should get some fresh air," says '"Oh God, please.. .'lie whispers. I can't find the name. one of the Red Cross officials as he passes by. Ah, yes...smoke and asbestos. Even For one horribly hopeful moment I think I see it, but it's so, I step outside and begin to walk down the sidewalk, taking care to smile at the someone else. 'I'm sorry,' I say slowly, hating that I can't workers; most are noticeably groggy. I haven't seen the site in the daylight say anything else." yet. Looking down the Westside Highway, I can't see the Trade Center, but the extent speaks to the counselor in the corner and end before. He copes with the fact he's let of American flags. It's misty outside, of the damage is very prominent. Every eats like he's famished, which he proba- stuck here by doing absolutely nothing, raining slightly, and everything seems sur- window I see is broken. I don't understand bly is. After a while he leaves. I wonder and I don't see him get up from bed once. real. The smell is overwhelming. It's like how the nearby World Financial Centers how many other people are still out there, He's another person we keep an eye on, bleach, smoke, burnt tires, anything that are still standing. One building looks like wandering dazed and confused. especially when we find out he can't burns your lungs. it's been ripped open with a claw, and An Arabic man, his wife, and two chil- remember what day it is. The small group of LDVs files into the another is completely twisted. Despite dren walk in. The man has a poster...one Later in the day we find out that work- new campus at St. John's University, which serious structural damage, someone has of those horrible name and face posters ers from a branch of the Red Cross are is being, used for the semester as a respite hung an American flag from one of the that are plastered on every surface area in coming the next day to help people with center. I become, the official greeter and windows on the top story. the city. their temporary, needs. It becomes my stand at the door smiling, welcoming, and It hits me that this part of the city will I'm not ready for this. responsibility to make a sign announcing directing every single rescue worker that never be the same. I walk back inside, "Is Muhammad Hamdani "staying this. I soon discover that everything's walks into the center. I feel like a poster girl depressed, and strike up a halfhearted con- here?" he asks. bureaucratic, even in a disaster, when I ask for the Red Cross, circa 1940's. The shelter versation with one of the mental health The urgency in this man's eyes is a janitor to let me into the school's art manager has insisted I wear the Disaster workers. heartbreaking. My roommate looks room. Relief smock, which is 20 sizes too large. A policeman hollers down at us. through the list of residents. His name He stares at me. "You're going to steal' By 2 a.m., my mouth hurts from smiling. "Hey!" he shouts, "Throw me a towel." isn't there. She shows him so he can see the teacher's paper?" I'ni torn over how to greet these people, The health worker and 1 look at him for for himself. I stare back and wonder if maybe he most returning from recovering bodies in an a moment. We're both jerked back to real- I look through my list of people who doesn't know about the Twin Towers. So unfathomable scene of carnage and ity and remember we have a job to do. The have already checked out. He waits, much for New York's new found sense of destruction. Saying, "Have a nice day!" worker slowly picks up one of the towels, stares. camaraderie. After I classify the situation doesn't really strike me as appropriate. and bunches it up, clearing the balcony "Oh, God, please," he whispers. as "an emergency", he gives in. I help "Good luck" is even worse, (translation: with a dramatic toss. The officer holds it There's so much frustration welling up myself to the class's art supplies. hope you make it). I think this tragedy has above his head triumphantly, championing inside me. I can't find the name. For one Rebecca and I stroll around the room, made us reevaluate our disaster etiquette. his perfect catch. horribly hopeful moment I think I see it, making tentative lists of people's individ- After a few moments of contemplation, I This could easily have been a dorm- but it's someone else. ual needs in preparation for the workers stick With a semi-upbeat "hello" and smile. room antic, an everyday scene from life, "I'm sorry," I say slowly, hating that I coming the next day. Most people need Ninety percent of the workers return the that under normal conditions I wouldn't cant say anything else. housing, some cash, others, rental cars. gesture, even though its 3 a.m. analyze twice. Today, though, corny The man's eyes well up, and he turns One woman requests a lawyer. Its raining. "As it starts raining harder, I moments like these that tell me we're to leave.' I'm too upset to think and can't Our relief fails to show up so Rebecca begin to feel protective of the workers going to be okay. • October 19,2001 Features Healing An Interview with Dr. Anie Kalayjian By Erin Fuchs turbances, withdrawal, inability to con- centrate, aggression, and anger. When Dr. Anie Kalayjian reflects on Kalayjian explains that anger is an her childhood, she recalls her grandpar- entirely normal reaction to disaster situa- ents experiencing frequent periods.-of tions; however, she believes that trans- dejection, often crying uncontrollably. forming one's feelings of resentment into They had managed to escape the geno- active hatred is unhealthy. cide in their native Armenia, but the ter- "The feeling of anger is normal, but ror they witnessed haunted them into displacing it onto another human being is their old age. not normal," said Kalayjian. In fact, she Kalayjian, who is Armenian but spent thinks that allowing rage to consume her childhood years in Syria, was indeli- one's self obstructs the process of emo- bly affected by the knowledge of her tional recovery. "If there is someone to grandparents' plight. Accordingly, she blame, people bypass healing and try to has dedicated her career to assisting vic- go down on the perpetrator," she tims of disaster. A board certified expert explained. in traumatic stress, Kalayjian is the According to Kalayjian, victims of President of the New York Chapter of the disaster should concentrate their efforts International Society for Traumatic on trying to help other people, rather than Stress Studies and has assisted victims of seeking retribution. disaster in locations such as Armenia, The second psychological phase in Turkey, Japan, and Pakistan. She also response to terrorism, the "heroic" phase, teaches several psychology courses at is characterized by survivors assisting Rita Brunelll Fordham College at Lincoln Center. each other in an effort to overcome feel- Doctor Anie Kalayjian

"A theme of post-disaster situations is gossip. These feelings of euphoria simply because they and blameworthy for not being "more have physically survived the disaster. cognizant of foreign policies.". In order rumors give us a sense of pseudo-empowerment." Like all honeymoons, this phase must to combat this guilt, she suggests active- eventually give way to reality. ly seeking out this worldly "cognizance" Recently, people in New York City, ings of helplessness. "If one helps anoth- Reality can sometimes manifest itself by educating oneself about other nations particularly members of the Fordham er, then both are stronger," said as the "disillusionment phase," which and Uni&d States foreign policy. • community, have benefited from Kalayjian, quoting a Chinese proverb. consists of increased frustration and The firial stage, the "reconstruction Kalayjian's immense expertise. Before Kalayjian jwarns against seeking resentment. Perhaps one finds that offi- phase," signifies healing. Kalayjian says the World Trade Center tragedy, she had empowerment in counter-productive cials and agencies are not providing aid that this stage is characterized by assum- planned to lead a discussion on human manners, referring to what sne- believes ,; quickly enough, or: maybe a sense of ing responsibility for one's personal rights violations for Fordham students to be the; rumor thill that television news- guilt overwhelms the victims, thus cast- restoration. According to Kalayjian, this and visiting professors. After the attack, sources sometimes fuel. ing a negative light over one3s previous type of recovery requires significant she decided to proceed with the discus- "A theme of post-disaster situations is sense of relief.,and destroying the "hon- effort—seeking validation for one's feel- sion, as her subject matter could not have gossip. These rumors give us a sense of eymoon" myth. ings, helping others, and trying to find been more germane. She altered her pseudo-empowerment," said Kalayjian. Kalayjian describes two types of guilt: meaning in the tragedy. topic slightly, focusing on the normal She explains that people feel that they "survivor guilt" and "collective guilt." Kalayjian believes that this search for stages following pervasive disasters. are in control if they can amass as much The formerphenomenon ensues because meaning is the most important part of On September 13th, the day of "information" as possible. The rumors, one feels guilty for surviving the disaster acceptance and recovery. Kalayjian's lecture, people were possibly she believes, engender even more fear while so many others perished. The lat- "There could be a positive meaning entrenched in the first psychological and anger among 'misinformed*individu- ter type of guilt is somewhat more com- discovered in the worst catastrophe. The phase that normally follows disasters, the als. plicated. One often feels guilty.for not sooner you find that meaning the sooner "initial impact phase." According to The "honeymoon phase" can offer foreseeing the disaster or even including you can gain control and heal. That does Kalayjian, this phase is characterized by respite from the fright, resentment, and the possibility in their thoughts of the not mean that you avoid the grief and increased anxiety and fears. Common other negative emotions connected to future. Kalayjian explained that it is per- expression of sadness. Take your time to reactions in adults often include uncer- disasters. According to Kalayjian, vic- fectly natural for citizens of the United cry, feel sad, and grieve, and then go on tainty, tension, loss of appetite, sleep dis- tims of disaster sometimes experience States to feel that they are self-centered to discover a meaning," said Kalayjian.l Setting the Stage The History of the Taliban

By Lauren Quigley attempted to treate a separate state. Afghanistan supported the Pashtunistan Afghanistan's ruling Taliban party has break and encouraged the newly forming become the focus of international politics Pakistan to allow the disputed area to after only being in power for six years. choose the future of its statehood. The history and reasons behind their rise Pashtunistan's objections were never offers an important window into acknowledged by world governments Afghanistan's current political situation, and they were eventually forced to AUDI as well as offering insight into Afghani remain as part of Pakistan. feelings toward foreign involvement. A In 1953, Prince Mohammad Daoud brief history lesson will enable us to bet- became Prime Minister of Afghanistan, Riyadh* ter understand how a fundamentalist mil- requesting United States military aid in QATAft\ itary regime like the Taliban is able to beefing-up the civil war plagued Afghan Courtny of www.NYTIniM.eom Map of Middle East gain power and popularity. army. The US refused, sending Daoud to As Britain withdrew from its imperial- seek assistance from Afghan neighbor the Purdah (wearing of traditional garb) high in the early 60's as the border dis istic rule over India, Pakistan was creat- and then super-power the USSR. Soviet was made optional, and schools were pute with Pakistan continued. The situa- ed out of both Afghani and Indian lands. President Nikita Khrushchev welcomed opened to female students. ' Many tion, which became so heated that it Muslims were relegated to Pakistan, Daoud and the prospect of a Middle women attended college, which at that almost sent the two countries to war, while Hindus remained as rulers of India. Eastern ally, offering him aid and support time welcomed female students. As instead resulted in a severing of ties/ Those Afghanis remaining in on the Pashtunistan issue, thus creating a women gained access to education, they Afghanistan's last monarch, King Zahir Shah, demanded the resignation of his Pashtunistan (occupied Afghani land in close alliance between the USSR .and also became part of the work force and cousin, Prince Daoud, convinced that he Pakistan) refused to recognize the bor- Afghanistan. - began attaining positions in government. had become too (continued on "page 15) ders of this new country and instead Under the Daoud rule of the late 50's, Tensions in Pashtunistan were running Features October 19,2001 The Sports World Steps Up Pro-Sports Gives An Unprecedented Response To Those In Need --•• *'t

By Vin Gurrieri

The professional sports world was brought to a complete, utter, and collec- tive standstill after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Its response was unparalleled to any similar memorial in American history. In keeping with the national state of mourning and remembrance, all spotting events in the week following the September 11 tragedy were either post- poned, rescheduled, or canceled outright. Major League Baseball, a sport which has played through the Great Depression and two World Wars, canceled six days worth of contests for the first time ever. The NFL, which played football only two days after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, had a long debate about the issue of canceling their games, but, in the end, listened to their players and postponed a week's worth of action. Kevin Mawae and Michael Strahan, of the NY Jets and NY Giants Members of the Diamondbacks join players of the Rockies in holding a U.S. flag across the infield of Denver's Coors Field on Monday, respectively, commented that they would 1 rather have "forfeited" games than play ' during the singing of "God Bless America* and the national anthem. . them on the Sunday following the to as heroes, realized who the real heroes attacks. Many players felt that, they the debris. The NY Yankees followed the Mets'. are. For all the importance that fans and would be more useful trying to do what The Mets also gave permission to the Jead by donatingjil million dollars to players place on games, this tragedy they could to help with the relief effort city to use Shea Stadium, their home ball- charity, and visiting numerous hospitals helped many people understand that than playing in games that seemed so park, as a resource center. The parking to show their support. Along with the sports are merely a form of entertainment. meaningless for the time being. lot of Shea turned into a waiting area for Jets, these teams began wearing the hats Games, many of which are spoken of as Jason Sehorn, player rep for the NY many Long Island Fire Department and of different city organizations, such as wars, paled in comparison to the war zone Giants, was one of the first New York ath- EMS vehicles waiting on stand-by. The NYPD and FDNY, as a tribute to lost res- that was now located in Lower letes to step up to the plate by organizing parking lot also served as a storage area cue personnel. These various teams and Manhattan. a trip for the Giants to visit Ground Zero. for supplies that were asked for and col- athletes, with their actions and public ges- Yet despite the Herculean efforts put The entire team took a ferry from New lected by the City for the rescue workers. tures, went a long way toward restoring forth by the rescue workers, New York's Jersey into Manhattan where they were Mets manager Bobby Valentine, who the morale of the City. athletes showed that they too are heroes greeted with cheers and a few high-fives lost a good friend in the attack, often Athletes, who are commonly referred in their own way. • by the rescue workers, many of which worked twenty hour shifts until as late as were Giants fans. four or five in the morning, serving as an Later in the day, they visited the center unofficial operations manager at the ball- where many of the victims' families were park. located and handed out bags full of shirts, The Mets also held the distinction of "Athletes, who are commonly referred to as heroes, realized who the real heroes were." hats, and stuffed animals to the numerous being the first NY team to play in the City children there. Many of the workers and after the tragedy. Before a game against family members commented that having the Atlanta Braves on September 21, the the GJants there showing their support Mets held a moving pre-game ceremony increased morale and provided some to honor all those affected by the attack. smiles to an otherwise depressing situa- They invited numerous Police tion. Department, Fire Department, and EMS Another team that went out of their officials to stand on the field prior to the way to help amidst the tragedy was the game. NY Mets. When the attack first occurred, Mayor Giuliani, who made appear- the Mets were left stranded in Pittsburgh, ances during the Giants' and Jets' first not far from the site where another games back in the city the following hijacked plane had crashed to the ground. week, was also present at Shea. The The team made their way back into New moving and inspirational ceremony York and took a blue-collar approach to abounded with American flags and was the relief effort. They promptly paid a headlined by a tear jerking performance visit to the disaster site where several of "God Bless America" performed by members of the team were seen wearing Diana Ross. The Mets donated their Fire Department jackets, climbing the day's salary for that game, which totaled rubble in search for survivors. Backup more than $450,000, to a charity for the Joe McEwing was also seen operating a families of police and firemei. who lost WWW. erver.com forklift in an attempt to remove some of their lives. October 19,2001 Features Our Mr. Sacharow The Observer Talks to the Director of FCLC's Production of Three Sisters

much creativity to the production," "As an actor with a limited knowl- currently tours school systems around Sacharow said, "Its an amazing group of edge of physical ity on stage, he has New York state every year. people." made me more aware of an actor's Sacharow received the Lucille Lortel He added that the experience has been movement while in character," said award for Outstanding Direction of a very positive one, and the cast has still Stephen Sosnowski, '03, a theater major Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize winning been able to concentrate in light of the who is currently taking "Actors and play Three Tall Women, an OBIE Award WTC tragedy, and the wide range of Their Art.". for directing Five of Us by Len Jenkin, emotions that everyone has been experi- In addition to directing, Sacharow, as and is the recipient of the Edward Albee encing. Chairman of the department, is responsi- Last Frontier Directing Award for life- According to Sacharow, the actors' ble for hiring innovative adjunct faculty time achievement. emotions are closer to the surface and such as Betty Buckley, hiring cutting- In addition, Sacharow is currently they're able to apply them to the text of edge guest lecturers that include Kevin editing a documentary film on war vic- this dramatic play about love and loss in Spacey and playwright Tony Kushner, tims after three years of interviewing the lives of three Russian sisters. organizing committees that work on cur- young people in war-torn countries. "We're banding together to try to create riculum development, and supervising Sacharow had created a play based on this experience of hope and of humanity production and department budgets. these stories, called Children of War, that the three sisters go through when they Sacharow's love of theater began that was performed last year at Asia survive a tragedy despite despair and diffi- when he himself was a young theater Society in New York City, the Taganka culty," Sacharow explained, "And it's that major at Brooklyn College and began Theatre in Moscow, and at the journey that we're taking with this play that working on plays and seeing shows. International Peace Conference. LeporwGraphic Dmign i gives us more commitment than we nor- After seeing Edward Albee's The Zoo Although Sacharow has worked with FCLC actors Meghan Reid, Gretchen Hall, and Annie Purcell in Sacharow's mally would have, because we see how Story, which was playing off-Broadway world-renowned artists, he loves work- current production of The Three Sisters important it is to try to generate hope when at the time, Sacharow realized how pow- ing with Fordham students. there is such trauma attached to your erful theater could be in sending impor- "We have absolutely amazing stu- by Oona Lee life." tant life messages. dents in our department. They're so tal- Sacharow added that he and the actors "It connected me and made me want ented, so creative, and their work habits He's an OBIE award-winning director, were able {o dive deeper into the text in to do things that could reach people," are so good that they really bring in he's worked with accomplished play- a shorter amount of time as a result of Sacharow said. work on a young, professional level," wrights such as Edward Albee, he has pro- the emotional vulnerability that these Sacharow first directed in New York Sacharow said of his theater students. duced several international theater festi- recent terrorist attacks have brought. at Cafe* Cino, Cafe LaMaMa, and Judson Sacharow also said that he doesn't vals, and we can proudly call him our own. Sacharow's career at Fordham began Poets Jheatre in an off-off-Broadway make a distinction anymore between his, Lawrence Sacharow's distinguished career when he directed Chekhov's The Three experimental movement that worked in professional directing and his teaching. in the theater also includes teaching and Sisters ten years ago. While at Fordham collaboration with different writers', "It's all the same work, it's just doing directing theater students at FCLC, both in he has also0 directed Samuel Beckett's actors, painters, and dancers in the late work with people who are more or less the classroom and on stage. Waiting for Godot and Shakespeare's A 1960's and early 1970's. experienced. Working with young peo- Sacharow, who is Chairman of the Midsummer Nights Dream. He also created a play in the 1960's ple in the classroom is extremely invig- Theater Department, is directing Anton Sacharow also works with theater stu- with recovering drug addicts, called The orating because of their openness and Chekhov's The Three Sisters, which just dents, not only by directing them on Concept, which was a landmark produc- willingness to explore and try new ideas. opened on October II, and closes on stage, but also by teaching acting class- tion that used real people telling their Working with professionals is equally October 20. According to Sacharow, es. One of the areas that he focuses on is own stories. This ran off-Broadway for invigorating because you get to work this cast is the most professional that the emphasis on the actors' work with three years, played at the White House with people who have a vast amount of he's worked with here at Fordham. physical actions, which he stresses in his and the United Nations, and toured inter- experience. For me, each feeds the "All of the actors are bringing so class this fall, "Actors and Their Art." nationally. It was revived in 1986 and other", Sacharow said. • Setting the Stage

The History of the Taliban (continued from page 13)

Photos bv \ R ill win CnvH i 1 u I close to the USSR, and was fearful of was removed from power through anoth- Afghanistan since the 78 coup, offering Taliban troops in Maidan Shar. Soviet exploitation. Shah was also feel- er bloody Communist coup, this time over two billion dollars in US military ing pressure from the Pakistani govern- headed by PDPA member and old-time aid. Their involvement escalated after ment to silence Daoud's pro- and trusted Soviet agent Noor the Iranian-Islamic revolution overthrew later go on to create the now-ruling Pashtunistan opposition. Though Daoud Mohammad Taraki. With Daoud dead, the Shah of Iran, a US ally, in 1979. Taliban movement. Though losses were was successfully removed from power, and the USSR sympathizer Taraki in During the fight for Afghanf indepen- great, the Mujahideen-with the help of King Zahir Shah was unable to prevent power, the USSR was able to keep con- dence, the CIA and Pakistan created its American backers and Islamic stu- his return eight years later. trol of the Afghani state. Within months, training camps on the Afghan-Pakistan dents-successfully defeated the Russian In 1973, after years of free the people of Afghanistan realized the border. Each country had its own rea- army in '89, and eventually went on to Parliamentary elections, Daoud, with the true nature of their new government, sons for getting involved in the Afghani overthrow the last of USSR's puppet rulers. help of the PDPA (Afghan Communist seen through their policies of land redis- resistance. America was battling Party), staged a military coup, over- tribution, secularization, and re-educa- Communist power all over the globe, In 1992 the liberation movement cre- throwing the King and abolishing the tion. The Afghani people, led by a group trying to ensure its place as the number- ated a purely Islamic interim govern- monarchy. Declaring himself president of Muslim holy warriors collectively one super power. Pakistan was con- ment that rotated leadership between of the newly created Republic of called the Mujahideen, began fighting cerned about being flanked by USSR on seven Islamic Mujahideen factions. The Afghanistan,. Daoud drafted a new con- the puppet government. one border and India on the other, as coalition government banned alcohol stitution assuring women's rights and Fighting over control of Afghanistan well as the movement in Afghanistan to and gambling, made wearing the veil pressed the still controversial escalated, climaxing in a full Soviet unify Pashtunistan to the Afghani main- mandatory for women, and separated coeducational schools into male and Pashtunistan issue. In the next few invasion in December of'79. The strug- land. female institutions. Soon fighting began years, Daoud began removing Marxist gle continued for close to a decade, Ready Afghani student refugees, who between the ruling parties, all now- members of his government who largely fueled by Cold War-minded US had fled to Pakistan after the invasion, trained and heavily armed after the opposed his democratic/socialist ideas military support of the Muslim Afghani became the bulk of the training camp recent defeat of Russia. for a new Afghanistan, angering his resistance movement. America, fearful population. These students would Soviet backers. , of losing power in the Middle East, had become instrumental in the Tight against After only five years of rule, Daoud been arming Islamic groups in the Russian invaders and some would This is Part One of a two-part series. • October 19,2001 page 16 Hell No! We Won't Go... To Kinkos Rating Your Unpaid Internship

By Brooke Whitley

The sound of the alarm clock in the morning has always driven me crazy. Whether it was for school, work, or just because I had to get up to write a paper, I have always dreaded it. These days that sound has taken on a new meaning. It used to be that when the alarm went off, I could muster some justification in my tired and confused brain as to why I had to get up. If it was for school, I had to get up because my parents were pay- ing for it, or for work, because they were paying me. But now I have to get up and go to work and not get paid. I have finally entered the time hon- ored college tradition of the unpaid internship. About two months ago I was hired by a new, very small* Public Relations Firm. Due to the fact that the firm is so new and so small, there are only three employees— my boss, one other unpaid intern and myself. My internship has given me many experi- ences and taught me inany lessons. The first and most important thing I have learned is that I hate kinko's. Well maybe I don't hate all Kinko's, but I detest Rita Brunelli the Kinko's on East 12th street between 5th "If you have to go to Kinko's, you have my sincerest condolences." and University Place. I work in an office with no copy machine (yes they do appar- • If you, at any point in your day, are could be Working at a sweatshop, and on Monday morning when my alarm ently exist) and being the intern that I am, I forced to get coffee for other people, that unpaid internships look good on clock goes off and I just can't seern to still must make the copies. take away 1 point. your resume, I really shouldn't be com- justify waking up before noon to stand in For the the last three weeks I have If all you do is get coffee, take away 9 ' plaining so much. But try telling me that lifle at Kinko's. • spent around 732 hours waiting in line at points, and get a paid job at Starbucks. Kinko's. I have spent so much time If you make copies more than three waiting because, in a shop of about times a day, take away 1 point. twenty copy machines only two work. If you have to go to Kinko's, take "In the time I have had to sit and contem- The A^ian Society plate my new career in glorified indentured Of Fordham College At servitude, I have come up with a Lincoln Center system that we can all use to rate our unpaid internships." Will be Staging an Open Mic/Talent Show

My theory is that all the other machines away 2 points, and you have my sincer- On are actually plastic decoys they put in est condolences. November 15,2001 - the window to make people like me If you run more then two errands that believe that this is an actual copy shop, are in no way work related (this includes when in reality some guy has obviously picking up cleaning, walking dogs, sell- taken over this particular store and put ing candy for a bosses child, or his home copiers in a corner. Christmas shopping for a superior's I have also learned that if you answer spouse) take away 3 points. the phone with a smile, the person on the If you hate your boss, take away 4 'other end of the line knows, and that points, because we all know-working for when a client comes in, we must make someone you hate is awful enough when our company look bigger by hiding my they pay you. boss in the back and calling him during Finally, if you in any way perform his "meetings" with more important sexual favors for your boss, take off 8 - contacts. points (or add 8 points if you really I have to say that as far as internships want) but make sure that you do not tell If you or someone you know/would like to perform, go, mine is not that bad. I get to write any of your over-weight, older, female press releases, my boss usually buys co-workers. please contact us at: lunch, and most importantly, I have yet By this scale, my internship rates to make coffee or pick up anybody's dry about a 7, taking off points for other cleaning. inconveniences such as the annoyance of We need singers, dancers, poets, musicians, and anybody In the time I have had to sit and con- having to answer the door buzzer. template my new career in glorified If your internship is below a 4,1 sug- who would like to share theirtalent at our show. indentured servitude, I have come up gest finding a more worthwhile use of witlvf system that we can all use to rate your time. The Aelan Society le an inclusive organization that doe* not discriminate on age, race, ethnicity, our unpaid internships. If, God forbid, your internship rated gender, or eexual orientation. We Invite everyone In the Fordham community to take part In all of In the newly formed( Whitley below a 0, you should really think about our club activities thle Academic Year and In the future at well. Internship Ratings Scale, all internships Chili's (I hear they are hiring). start with a 10. So I guess in light of the fact that 1 October 19,2001 Arts & Culture page 17 Vespertine Revealed: Bjork Shares a Little Night Music variation in her movement; she walked across the stage or remained behind the microphone stand. However, as soon as "Isobel" was performed, I knew this would change quickly. BjSrk re-emerged on stage in a red dress with feathers and bells attached to it. She seemed much more playful in this new outfit, and moved rhythmically during "Venus as a Boy" in order to have the bells ring along with the music. The song, "Hyperballad" was the highlight of the night. Itseemed as if for the first time throughout the perfor- mance, she fed off of the audience's reac- tion to her. The majority of the audience was orr their feet (although this was con- sidered a no-no by the ushers) and she ran around the stage as if she owned it. And for that moment, she most certainly did. When the song was finished, she received her first standing ovation. After the intense energy of "Hyperballad," "Army of Me" came next. Words cannot express how cool it was to watch Zeena Parkins, a classical harpist, head banging while she was playing along to the heavy beats of this songv The concluding song of the second part was "Bachlorette" and dear Bjork ran off stage only to return www.bjork.com with a twc-song encore. The first, Bjork "Anchor Song," reminded the crowd, mostly composed of New Yorkers, that this is her home. The final song of the By Edwina Hay October 4th with the San Francisco duo, rose from the pit. The show was divided Matmos. Although' I spent the majority of into three separate parts. In the first part, night was "In Our Hands," a brand new track. It began with the choir clapping When Bjork planned her current itin- their set standing outside of Radio City Bjojk relied heavily on her newer mater- their hands and playing hand games. erary, she picked venues that had the best waiting in line, I did enjoy the end of their ial from Vespertine (which means songs Due to time constraints, Bjork could not acoustics to accompany what she wanted performance. They concluded the show sung at night), Selmasongs, and fit in a second encore like she did the fol- to do in concert. When selecting a venue with a song that involved five balloons. Homogenic, choosing songs such as lowing night. If you previously had any in New York City to meet these require- At 9:00PM, Bjork appeared on stage, "Erosti," "Hidden Place," "I've Seen It doubts about Bjork performing at a ments, Radio City Music Hall was the sans shoes, in a white sequined swan All,". "Unravel," and "It's Not Up To venue like Radio City Music Hall, let it winner and would mark the beginning of dress accompanied by Matmos harpist, You" to complement the mood. be known that she pulled it off and she her trek across North America. Zeena Parkins, a small choir from Selecting these songs caused her to be pulled it off effortlessly. • The show began at 8PM on Thursday, Greenland, and a 54-piece orchestra that subdued and quiet. There wasn't much Jails, Hospitals & Mp-HopHolds Up A Critical Mirror to NYC Culture

By James Lui on his or her singular performance. This ten that the dark birthmark on his arm is his fourteen albums. He began with the is especially true for Hoch, whose char- actually his true skin color, and his pale theme of self-expression, but has devel- oped into a medium fraught with odes to Danny Hoch, the star of the one-man acters all are in one way or another alone, skin is the true birthmark covering his Uzis, Tec Nines, and AK-47's. In show-turned-movie Jails, Hospitals .& ' struggling to overcome a significant entire body. The scene reveals that Flip between, there was a period where his Hip-Hop, The Film, is from New York. deficit in their lives. Dog is standing in front of his mirror in work encouraging kids to stay off drugs, "But what's that?" he wonders in the rap The deficit of Hoch's characters the attic of his Montana home as his stay in school, and rebuild the communi- that opens the film. "A color, a race, or a appears in the form of a permanent lack. mother intermittently interrupts the fan- ty. However, he quickly abandoned such state of Mind? A class of people? A cul- It is as if each is in a constant state of tasy with insistence that he not be late for themes due to low sales. Emcee Enuff ture?" He spends the next ninety min- longing for the fading dream of content- work. The larger social critique here is also has his own interpretation of the utes painting characters from his rich and ment. Exacerbating the situation is the the nature of racial identities, and the East Coast / West Coast conflict,. He says characters' tragic knowledge that their frustration that comes from a conflict powerful palette in an attempt to help his that it's simply a lack of respect between dreams will forever be out of reach between the personal internal and the audience understand the answer. The two distinct cultures that has amplified because the game of life is fixed irre- societal external. Flip Dog has inclina- movie seamlessly cuts from three sites: a the feud. Furthermore^ he says; people tions toward a certain lifestyle within performance in a jail in front of inmates, versibly against them by a suffocating shouldn't try to be what they aren't. If himself, but society binds him with pre- a performance on a lit stage, and scenes web of cultural assumptions. There is a you're from the West Coast, then you conceived notions of what he should be shot on location. strong undertone of social conscience shouldn't be afraid to represent the West based on his skin. He can only live his Originating as a solo stage show present in all of Hoch's characters, a Coast and the same goes for the East. If dream through the mirror in his room. which toured prisons and colleges, Jails sense of what could have been, but what you're from Kansas you shouldn't be moves to the movie screen with surpris- can never be The grass isn't always greener on the afraid to represent wheat. People need to ingly strong results. Part of the appeal of Flip Dog is Hoch's famous rap artist , Other side, however. Emcee Enuffis the be themselves. In an industry where a solo show is the degree to which the alter ego. He imagines himself on a talk gold toothed, Versace shaded, baseball people are wealthy, and keep rapping performer is alone. He bravely stands show proudly extolling his accomplish- cap wearing character who has made it in about being miserable and going to jail, apart from the audience, with the success ments. Incidentally, Flip Dog is white, the rap world. He's seen the develop- he wonders (continued on page 19) or failure of the entire show depending but tries to convince those who will lis- ment of rap culture during the course of

V Arts & Culture October 19 2001 page 18 Critics Duel: Training Day Pro Con

Kristen Bykowski wolf, and it takes a wolf to catch a By Beata Loyfman crafted to annihilate that stereotype. wolf." He convinces Jake that to As Alonzo Harris, the chief police detec- In a powerful, chilling perfor- change the world, you have to do it Denzel Washington has been known as tive of the LAPD narcotics squad, he talks mance in Training Day, Denzel from the inside, and you have to the proverbial fighter for righteousness. He tough, wields a gun whenever he pleases Washington shows that is not only become a detective to be on the battled racism, discrimination, injustice, and chooses to ignore small crimes like the able to play any part, but he can inside. Of course, it's Alonzo who and plain old badness in acclaimed films raping of a 14 year old in favor of the big play them'all well. Although Ethan is doing the convincing, and he's, as like "The Hurricane", "Glory", and fish. Alonzo has four kids with various Hawke also had a leading role in serious as he is intimidating. "Remember the Titans". He is a respected women and has no qualms about forcing a the film, his puppy-dog, ambitious Could Washington win the Oscar artist, faithful and loving husband, devoted pen down a wheelchair bound peddler's rookie ways keep him in the back- for this movie, as the hype seems to father, charitable philanthropist, and has throat (played eerily well by Snoop Dogg) ground allowing Washington to suggest? I hope that a semi-vio- looks to kill. He's, a model of respect, dig- to release some cocaine the wily man had overwhelm the screen. Director lent, drug related movie won't win nity, and values. That is precisely why he swallowed. To the chagrin of a cracked out Antoine Fuqua, ("Bait", "The an Oscar, but his performance is signed on for the lead role in Training Day. woman (Macy Gray), he steals $40,000 Replacement Killers") gives the worthy of praise. This movie His betterthan-God persona has forced him from her house, which he searches with a audience the well-known good exemplifies what good acting is all into a niche where the movie going public fake warrant. The filmmakers made sure to cop/bad cop theme with a twist— about, and "make no mistake, cannot conceive of him as anything other that Alonzo embodies immorality in his Washington as a ruthless cop who Washington became a "wolf to than the epitome of virtue. "Training Day" every action so as to make Washington as is corrupt beyond salvation. His play the part. • • is Washington's tour de force, consciously unsympathetic as possible. The irony of this performance is so convincing, that is that Washington is so charming and you find yourself surprised at what authentic in this role, that we have no a bad-ass he can actually be. choice but to fall prey to his magnetism and "Training Day" is just that, a sin- end up rooting for him to win anyway. That gle 24-hour day in which rookie he is an incredible actor is undisputable. He cop Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke) is relishes Alonzo's villainy with such passion taught by Narcotics Detective that the film itself falls to the background Alonzo Harris (Denzel and we end up simply entranced in this Washington) to get inside of the actor rather than by the movie as a whole. world they are there to eliminate. There is of course a plot, but it is sec- With his black leather coat, out- ondary. The action takes place over the landish jewelery, and animosity course'of a day as Alonzo, teaches Jake, the toward conventional police prac- new rookie on his squad, the ropes of street tices, Det. Harris takes Hoyt deep drug trafficking. Played by gangly, terrified into the streets full of gangbangers looking Ethan Hawke, Jake is more like the and drug dealers in South Central, shell of a character than an actual person. LA, warning him never to go to He is floored by Alonzo's less than legal certain areas alone. From the start, methods and is caught in a theoretical scru- Hoyt becomes aware that the world ple about whether he wants to play the that he tries to "protect" others police game so outside the bounds of the from, seems to be the world Harris law. Jake is a vehicle by which we can see is most comfortable in. Although into Alonzo and rather unnecessary other- he is uneasy as soon as he sits wise. Hawke does his best with what he's down to breakfast, Hoyt is con- given, which isn't much, but can't escape vinced that to get where he wants Jake's utter lack of dimension. to be he should stick with the The requisite finale showdown between esteemed Detective. the two leads is almost irrelevant. Although But what kind of movie would it we root for Jake's morals to win* over be these days if he didn't go Alonzo's fall into evil, we secretly find our- against his own will in the process, selves crossing over to the dark side and smoking marijuana laced with PCP, hoping that Washington gets just one more (a very laughable few scenes) minute of screen time. "Training Day" downing a glass of whiskey and a works only because of its star and thus, is few beers on duty, and eventually incomplete as a film. Thankfully the film- taking the blame for something he makers knew that and made sure to have didn't do. All because of Alonzo's Washington in every scene of the film. famous line of the movie: " To pro- Without him, "Training Day"

tect the sheep, you gotta catch the courtesy of warner bras. is amateur. • Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke in Training Day Hearts in Atlantis Awakens the Spirit By Kristen Bykowski Consider this: "When you're young, self-absorbed and bitter mother (Hope sensical signs, because as soon as the men you think you are living in someplace Davis), Bobby is constantly inundated get too close, Ted has to disappear. They Director Scott Hicks has done an out- magical-' Like Atlantis." And that is with stories of his late father's gambling find companionship and trust in one anoth- standing job adapting Stephen King's exactly where this movie takes you as ways and how poor they left the family. er, and they teach each other lessons neither five-story anthology, "Hearts in you watch the inspirational evolution of But behind closed doors, Bobby's moth- of them will forget. Atlantis", into a passionate and inspira- an 11 year old boy named Bobby er spends time modeling her collection of Ted's insight into the minds of others tional story of love, loyalty, courage and Garfield. brand new dresses. opens Bobby's eyes to a bigger world the true meaning of life. Although the Robert Garfield, a middle-aged pho- With his best friends, Sully and Carol full of hope, true love, and forgiveness. movie, "Hearts in Atlantis", is based on tographer, is suddenly brought back to a Gerber, Bobby spends his days filled with He lets Bobby into his heart, and in the second story of the anthology, "Low time and place when life seemed easy by laughter and contentment. Then, on his return, Bobby's life is changed forever. Men in Yellow Coats," it still carries the the unexpected death of his childhood 1 lth birthday, Ted Brautigan arrives. Ted Life takes its turns and childhood passes, name of the book. With a nostalgic friend John Sullivan, or Sully. He real- (Anthony Hopkins) moves into the top floor but the bonds of friendship and family soundtrack and a heartwarming story, izes that the most important lessons he of Bobby's house with a strange quietness endure thanks to the quiet stranger with Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins gives has ever learned were in the year of his about him, but he quickly befriends Bobby -the haunted past. another emotional and remarkable per- 11th birthday, when his only wish was and gives him an opportunity to make the Hearts In Atlantis is moving and com- formance. But the true life and spirit of the red Schwinn bike shining in the store money he needs for the bike. Ted asks passionate. It is brought to life with dis- the film is the skill and innocence of window. Bobby to keep his eye out for the "low tinguished performances and a feel-good young actor Anton Yelchin. As an only child living alone with a men" who drive fancy cars and post non- story that will last through the ages. . • October 19, 2001 Arts & Culture Behind the Scenes at Broadway's The Producers, Starring Stage Manager Ira Mont By Christopher Kuczewski prompting when people are learning their giving notes to maintain the director's orig- lines. Once the show is actually running, inal intent... Directing the understudies dur- When one considers a Broadway show it's not any less complicated—it's just a lit- ing rehearsal to get them ready for when and all the work that goes into putting it tle more stable and you get into a bit more they have to go on...And the day-to-day together, one may think of the actors, the of a routine. We [stage managers] are still [tasks of] making sure there's enough Advil designers, the directors, and the crew. responsible for any scheduling that has to in the building.. .ordering the water.. .coor- Nonetheless, one of the most important occur, be it understudy or replacement dinating charitable donation collections... If coles in the theatre is that of the stage man- rehearsals, work calls on the set, coordinat- you think of the chief operations officer of a ager. I had the pleasure of speaking with Ira ing with the press office for press calls— large corporation and what that person and Mont, stage manager of the hit Broadway either at the theatre or at a different loca- their staff would be doing, that's what a musical The Producers (at the St. James tion... It is anything that has to do with stage manager does. Not to be diminish- Theatre, West 44th Street). Ira is no scheduling...[from] approving or denying ing—and I'm a stage manager, so I can say stranger to Broadway; he has worked on vacation requests, to working out which of it—[but] if you really boil it down, a stage such hit shows as Beauty and the Beast and the several swings and understudies will be manager does not actually do anything the revivals of The Sound of Music and replacing the person [who will be on vaca- except make sure that everybody else who Jesus Christ Superstar. Like his colleagues, tion], to making sure wardrobe and hair are is supposed to be doing something, does it www.producersonbroadway.com Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick in Ira knew The Producers would be a success, ready with their costumes, etc... .to actually at the right time and properly...and makes The Producers but he never really imagined it would being a part of the operation of the sure the information flows in all direc- become the phenomenon that it is today. show... Here at The Producers, we have one tions. .. We make sure that all the things that musicals go...It's pretty easy to maintain Observer: As a stage manager, what stage manager calling the show...Calling are supposed to happen to make the show artistically...[although] we want to keep it exactly does your job involve as far as means telling the other operators to take [go on] every day happen. fresh and consistent and looking the way it responsibilities and duties are concerned? cues, telling the lighting board operator to did on opening night...But it is a pretty Ira Mont: Well, it's kind of a two-part hit the "go" button on the computer to effect Observer: How do you feel about straightforward show. The things that are question. If you're talking about the the lighting changes, telling the automation working on a show of such high energy and not straightforward are the things that are rehearsal and. the production period, that's carpenters to push the "go" buttons on their popularity as The Producers? difficult to control—the comic timings of one set of responsibilities and duties. Then computers to make the scenery move. Mel Brooks' material and Nathan Lane's once the show's actually running, it's a dif- [There are also] two deck stage managers— Ira Mont: [I'm] thrilled to have a job for delivery. Technically speaking, as big as ferent set. And it's very broad and encom- one on either side [of the stage]—who the next three to ten years, depending on the the show is, it's very easy to run...because passing, but stage managers are responsible it's an old-fashioned book musical. The for compiling all the information from all "We have puppets in the show that need a lot of tender scenery comes on and you do a whole the departments [involved in the produc- loving care ... they're complicated pieces of artwork" scene, and nothing really moves or tion], and then disseminating that informa- changes...We have our problems...We tion as necessary so that the director's idea essentially are there just watching- to make economy and the world that we're living have puppets in the show that need a lot of in rehearsal gets passed on to the designers. sure that everything is happening properly, in...It's fun. It's a blessing to actually do tender loving care and maintenance; Then we must make sure that the designers keeping an eye oh traffic, making sure that, what I like to do for a living...[and] it's a they're complicated pieces of have passed that on to the shops. We if a swing or an understudy is on, they're in fun place to do it in. It's a good company; artwork...The show has stabilized itself schedule the rehearsals, organize the cos- the right place at the right time. If there's a everybody gets along. The experience of into a pretty easy run. We've had subs tume fittings, and create the paperwork that sub on the crew, making sure they're in the putting it together was extraordinary. I' come in on the crew and, although it's will ultimately turn into the plots for the right place at the right time as well. There guess we all knew it was going to be suc- always a little "touch-and-go" when you props crew and the automation systems. are a few actual cues that we have on the cessful... but if it was not the phenomenon have somebody new join the family, it's Essentially, it's just being the chief opera- deck, giving the calling stage manager a and the success that it has turned out to be, pretty much worked out well. That's usu- tions officer of the show during the "clear," [indicating] that a person or a piece and we ended up closing next July 4th, it ally a sign of a machine that's working rehearsal and production period...It's as of scenery [that the calling stage manager still would have been a worthwhile endeav- . well: if it's not too distracting when you mundane as making sure that the floor is cannot necessarily see] has moved out of or. Going through something like this with have to replace a "cog," then you know mopped so that the tappers have a clean the way so that the next sequence can Mel Brooks and Susan Stroman, Nathan things are [going] well. It's busy enough to floor, to actually moving the rehearsal fur- begin...Assisting in the artistic mainte- [Lane] and Matthew [Broderick] was extra- be interesting [and] easy enough not to be niture around during a run-through, to nance of the show... Watching the show and ordinary. It's not a hard show...as big too overwhelming. • The Operator Stumbles, Leaving Out Crucial Elements in Favor of Tedium

By James Elroy operator (Jacqueline Kim), who vows to so horizontal, that one never gets to under- is that he spends too much time on the turn his beautiful life around and make him stand the Operator in a deeper way until the three sub-plots of the movie: Gary's On October 12,2001, the Angelika Film miserable. Using her extensive access to end of the film, when she shows the more wife, his bookie, and one of his legal Center was hit with a mildly entertaining information and technology, she strips Gary considerate aspect of her personality. cases. For example, when Gary meets up feature film that can be described as the of his identity, including his family, lovers, The writer/director seems to take for with his bookie to reassure him that the love child of American Psycho and The money, and vehicle. Gary is incapable of granted the notion that an audience will money he owes will be paid, the guy Net. Although The Operator does have stopping her from completely destroying believe anything, such as a farfetched idea decides to tell his life story in order to some redeeming qualities—such as a moral him and as this mysterious telephone oper- that some wacky telephone operator define karma for Gary. This is time that that can easily be applied to real life and ator slowly spoils his life, Gary has to deal would, and could, access a boundless would be better used to develop the per- believable character relationships—the with the devastating situations that he is amount of information regarding Gary's sonality of the movie's title character. more important aspects of the plot are hurled into with his clients, his bookie, and life through her computer. Does Dichter One positive thing about the movie is the underdeveloped. Screenwriter/director Jon his wife. honestly feel that audiences are naive acting. Since her lines seem so monoto- Dichter provides the audience with too The relationship between Gary and the enough to believe that a telephone operator nous, and because one never gets to see the much information about what they do not operator lacks any sort of development. could, in under 45 seconds, convince one operator's face in full, it is difficult to com- need to know, and fails to offer adequate Almost every exchange between them of Gary's clients to kill his mother in order ment on Jacqueline Kim's aptitude as an details that would clarify and advance seems incredibly similar: Gary gives the to save on the cost of a nursing home? actress. However, the other actors do a important aspects of the plot. operator an attitude, she responds with And how does the operator automatically wonderful job in their roles. A small, nonetheless noteworthy, appearance is Michael Laurence plays Gary Wheelan, philosophical speculation about the materi- know the number of the cellular phone that made in the role of Mrs. Sloan by Frances ,a sljck Dallas attorney enjoying the com- ality of society, and vows that she will Gary purchased from a street vendor sell- Bay, better known as the "Marble Rye forts of an "ideal" life: power, a high-paying destroy Gary in order to liberate him from ing stolen merchandise? The script leaves Woman" on the TV series Seinfeld.While job, women (including a wife), a big house, cultural gluttony. How many times must a details like these out, serving to distract the the movie was entertaining, 1 would not rec- and a BMW (though a Jaguar is the only car character establish their motivation to the audience rather than engage them in a ommend paying $10 (thanks a lot, Giuliani) he is truly "proud" to drive). In the midst of audience before the viewers puke? Every cohesive, believable tale. to see it. B a bad day, however, he insults a telephone exchange between Gary and the operator is Another of the filmmaker's blunders Arts & Culture October 19,2001 page 20 In io Words Living in Cyn: Rule the Road Strange Little Girls, A By Cynthia Rodriguez Strange Little Album •j^T^:p^^el^j^rcKM%|p^^ I^bap^.OTLpiiir tfrutj annual pumpkin By Christopher Monfette podge of covers of various songs written is not something that bears repeated lis- and performed by men - including tening. Such tracks greatly disrupt the Let's be honest. Ton Amos is incredi- Depeche Mode, The Beatles, Neil general flow, almost to the. point where five peopiie \vith varying musical tastes; bly strange and we've known this for Young, Tom Waits, etc... Essentially, a one might be hard pressed to consider the Notfwemmutls into the ride, arguments quite some time. Frankly, it's been obvi- feminine take on misogyny - or, perhaps, effort an actual album. about musical selection started. Now, just ous since Little Earthquakes. We don't more of a response - the album is cer- More than anything, Strange Little so youJlave an idea of what was going on mind her being crazy. In fact, that's why tainly a worthwhile effort, yet never Girls comes across as an interesting col- inside this vehicle, the "degree of differ- we've come to love her so much. Sure, quite gels together in a way that makes lection of B-sides, best suited to appear ence," if you will, 1 have provided pro- she may have ruined high school for the experiment seem successful. Only a on the singles from a more solid record. files of each of the passengers. Does this masses of newly masculine boys by few of the tracks really come across as The idea is there, and at certain points sound like the car you're often riding in? inspiring an army of poetry-writing, enjoyable songs while the rest live only (especially the title track), the follow- Passenger #!: Radio Rocker—likes piano-playing teenage girls at every turn, as interesting interpretations or die in the through is enjoyable. The overall all the current pop hits and rap but that's passed now, and the dust has landfill of second-rate cover material. attempt, however, misses the mark. favorites. Can always find something settled. We just thank God that Christina For example, a version of Eminem's "97' Strange Little Girls doesn't seem to offer on the radio. . came along and ruined little things like Bonnie and Clyde," in which the rapper a single evolutionary step forward. The ..^a|s|n;ger;#2: TRL Belle—LOVES femininity, poise and self-respect that travels to a lake in order to dispose of his covers aren't as good, so it's best to ref- gthgbjpUwSMs and Britney Spears, Tori once brought to the industry. wife's dead body, is presented from the erence the original. And the point is fleet- ';^tj^^|p|ised to Wee2£iv : ^;. However, what once seemed inspired point of the view of the dead wife stuffed ing, so it's best to save your money. ;|§|^|n^|#3: .Punk^Pjincfiss^n^T and classy, now just feels random and away in his trunk. The song is both bru- Overall, it's best to just pray that time lacking in substance. Her latest effort, tally disturbing and downright frighten- can build inspiration and inspiration can Strange Little Girls, is an eclectic hodge- ing, but, beyond appreciating her point, it deliver substance. • f|!|fiir^i^ §|||ass«|gCT;.^ ^c^C^elj-^blil^ •"tJE; ^ores;bldfevbrit^lik^ and Julio iglesias. ; v j A Ghetto Fabolous Album ..^ Passenger ^5: Stuck in a Rut— claims not to listen 'ta^aiiyth'ing"record-' By Marie R. Altenor hydro smoking. However, it's one thing ized voice on this track is hot!) need to be ;:ed.a|^€^-/;./^::.-xi.'' ;" • ,-. to cover the same subject, its quite anoth- played at the highest volume possible. yjWASarguinei^^^ With his debut album, .Ghetto er to figure out a new way to say it. And The bubbling beats on "Right Now and •to rhysdf^I .s^i^dh^ve'lft^^.mi^^i^l^ Fabolous, 21-year-old rapper, Fabolous for that Fabolous gets and deserves seri- Later On" are sick, causing you to con- that wo^^l^e eveiyotie arid ^Vbide<|i proves that he's deserving of the name. ous props. I almost forgive him for his vulse into a disease some might term haying3tb siirf through;commercialsipin« The pop locking beats (several tracks are many mentions of oral sex, but at least he "dance fever"! They're that good! That ithe radio." ;But hovvjidoes one cojaifalp produced by DJ Clue, Rockwilder, and has an inventive (albeit disgusting) way slight edge to his youthful voice serves such ajtiix^anamusement ffiat provides The Neptunes) paired with hot spitfire of saying it. Each of the 14 songs on him well on lighter touch songs like, universal aural pleasure, as well as keep^J flow make this a brilliant debut from one Ghetto Fabolous get your head nodding, "One Day" and "Trade It All" featuring energy and spirits high throughout a long of hip-hop's newest. Of course, but particular tracks stand out. "Can't Jagged Edge. Overall, Fabolous keeps road trip? Well, friends, after years of Fabolous covers the same grounds that Deny It" featuring West Coast player the album street, definitely gansta, and practice, much deliberation, and cbntiiiu- most rappers cover nowadays—juice Nate Dogg, The Neptunes produced pure ghetto— ghetto fabolous that is. al success, I have created the formula for n'ginnin, women and sinnin, mixed with "Young'n" "Take You.Home" featuring 10 words or less: Go ahead, get a no-fail road trip mix. Now, I will shar^K an equal measure of Escalade riding and LiP Mo and "Ma Be Easy" (the digital- ghetto and keep it gangsta! • it with you stfthat your next outingwil^ be a memorabje^one. i ; , ;J , sure your tape, is truly mixed. In other 1. For theviove k; God, DO NOT words, don't put all the rap songs together Reveille's Bleed the Sky: An include al|o^OUR favorite songs;; J; or follow a pop/country/pop/country, song Tli is ism^fiRtw^^g^ccmplaints,;'. format for the duration of the tape^ '.Your AsK the peppiegping ohfteiripibr a few companions will catch on to you and they Onrush of Images and Lyrics of tlieir fay^^ipngs and^ then fit them will be bored. Always surprise them. into the flqw^o f the tape. Make sure to 4. Refer to the road. include at; least one of each person's Songs that refer to driving or include road By Luis E. Hernandez are about the purpose in life, the ability songs or it's -all oven The tape will be terms (whether or not they are about the to forgive yourself, and the fact that at remove^ frorn! the deck and you will road) are good. They serve as reminders of Before listening to Bleed the Sky the some time we all fall. I thought the become a pmah, losing all chances at the journey at hand and will, surely, spark second release by rapcore band album was an interesting mix. It started song selection for the rest of the trip and, many a comment. Some of my favorites Reveille, I'd heard that they apparently off with "Unbom,"a strong song with a perhaps, for eternity. Easy on the slow are "Life is a Highway," "She Drives Me had a Limp Bizkit sound to their music. hot beat that quickly caught my atten- songs. •:;•;•':; /. •.: •:.: •' • .. .; .':;' Crazy," and "Speed Racer." Being that I w*>s once a big Bizkit fan, I tion. 1 liked the sound of "What You 2. Unless it's a surefire sing-a-Iong like 5. Last, but not least, use old favorites. decided to listen to it and came to the Got" too, which sounds like a person You know what I mean. Go back to your conclusion that they are way better. getting what he deserves after doing "HoteliCa'li^ial"'''use;^em;'Spanoglyv nnd NEVEteputtwo ormore in a row, music collection from grade school and Reveille has the same rap-rock sound I wrong. "Inside out" was another song love, but, unlike Bizkit they have more with a good beat, and that, combined Relieve ma Ybu;warit the driver to stay: high schqol and pick out the cheesiest' ; with the lyrics that talk about a person's iWake.;1:'fe'v \.'•':..•':'•'' .•.••'., ; ••- ,,;•:' (^:C;: songs that were beyond cool "back in the to their music than the message of sup- 3. Don't ignore the middle of the day." Songs by Vanilla Ice, Kris Kross, posedly being hardcore and wanting to true personality, make for a great song. Milli Vanilli, and Madonna work well kick the crap out of someone. This was I was surprised by "Down to none" H ^p|plways start and end strongly, because everyone knows them. Road the path Bizkit took. Reveille has which was basically pure rap. I didn't expect to hear something like that, biit;0ften the songs in the middle trip sing-a-longs arc what memories are toured with Godsmack, Static-X, and though I enjoyed it. rlose their excitement and somehow made of. If you can make this happen, Powerman 5000. 10 Words or Less: The album has a get jumbled together into a boring you have truly earned the title of Road Reveille sends out messages in their great sound. Go out and buy It. • irriess* Tlic middle is key. Make Trip Mix Master. • songs. Some of the ideas they throw out October 19.2Q01 Arts & Culture page 21 Or Less A Breakdown of Oysterhead Crank Britain's Rhythm Masters it Up With The

By Christopher Sukorski travel. Creative, but too short Grand Peking Order and not fully developed. Disconnect Your Head is the "Disco 2000" is like futuristic debut album__ by the Rhythm disco, just lots of fun. By Edwina Hay Masters. At the core, the album is "Angels" is an uplifting song house, but mixed within are ele- with vocals by Diane Oysterhead features Trey ments of electro-breakbeat, disco, Charlemagne. Anastasio (of Phish, which is on hip-hop, and pop. It's'very remi- "Bring It On" is a nice dreamy hiatus), Les Claypool (of Primus, niscent of, although not quite on song that, unfortunately, ends in a which is also on hiatus) and par with, Daft Punk, sharing the dumb repetition. Stewart Copeland (formerly of The same filtered retro disco sound. "Don't F*** With My Filter" is Police). The group started out as a The album opens with "The basically lots of fun, cool sounds. jam session between friends and Underground," which starts out "Electro Shock" is great, espe- ended up as a studio recorded dark and brooding, with an omi- cially the second half with its album. The good thing about nous voice, but after a couple of cool background noise. Kind of Oysterhead is that it features all minutes turns into a happy funky like a mix of Lunatic Calm and three of these talented musicians, disco song. The track is garnering Fluke. doing what they do best. The bad www.phish.com a lot of praise from the music "Speed of Light" is a happy, thing about Oysterhead is that it Oysterhead The Grand Peking Order community, but I am not sure why. upbeat song. sometimes sounds like a fusion of It's pretty good, but not that good. "Electronic Funk" is (what Phish and Primus, which ain't so radio hit...if music like this ever "Ghetto" is a song about the else?) funk fortified electronica. bad after all. found it's way to radio airwaves. ghetto with an annoying-chorus. "One In A Million" is rap with Browsing some of the song titles "Rubberneck Lions" feels like an "21st Century" is dark and sin- a loud, heavy beat accompanied on their release, The Grand experiment with^Jazz that gets the ister with sound bites of space by maracas. Very original and Pecking Order, might cause one to right results. The Grand Pecking very groovy. giggle. The album features a Order dares to be different in a "Heavy Soul" is |£gj paced, a range of songs such as "Oz is Ever pop-saturated music market and it's Bjork's Vespertine kind of techno, and has a cool dis- Floating," "Owner of the World" a guilty pleasure worth giving in torted sound to it. and "Army's On Ecstasy." I feel to. Charms 10 Words or Less: An innova- that "Shadow of a Man" is one of 10 Words or Less: Weird, tive album that you won't regret their strongest while the opening funky, unusual and bound to be a purchasing. • track, "Little Faces," would be a cult favorite. •

Courtesy of www.amazon.com Bjork's Vespertine Album Cover

By Cynthia Rodriguez Quirky, Icelandic songstress BjorH brings us an utterly ethere- al and mesmerizing album. In each song, her soothing voice floats over lush instrumental with emotion and ease. It is a truly beautiful listening experi- ence. Never being an avid Bjork fan, I did not anticipate enjoying Vespertine as much as I did. I believe that my feelings about her now would best be expressed in a haiku. Ah, Bjork. A new song. Yes, you have opened my eyes. Sing, little swan. Sing. 10 Words or Less: A neces- sary addition to any musical collection. • Arts & Culture October 19,2001 page 22 Newlfork City Preserved

www.mcny.org The Museum of the City of New York

By Antoinette Marrero "paintings that capture the theatrics of [New "Lost in Old Postcards." Many have cations and was dubbed a "New York York's] physical transformation" and they recently been awakened to the historic Living Landmark" by the Landmarks Ask anyone what museums New York are worth the trip to the MCNY. aspect of postcards. They are not only Commission in 1997. City has to offer and you'll most likely hear: The first image that greets you as you for dropping notes to friends and family; The MCNY also has some interesting The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the step off the elevator is a 1918 painting of they make the city stand still in time. ongoing exhibitions: "New York Toy Museum of Natural History, MOMA, the a Red Cross parade on 5th Avenue and The exhibit features postcards from the Stories," "Port of the New World," and Guggenheim, the Frick. But an internet 41 st Street; it is a stirring image of peo- turn of the century to the mid 1950's. It's "Broadway! The History of American search of museums in New York City yield- ple rallying to help others. Inside a amusing to see Newark Airport billed as Theater" (which includes "Guys & ed over 100 results. One of these wonder- smaller room are city scenes from the "the largest and busiest airport." Dolls: The Fabled Musical oof ful, but often overlooked treasures, linger- 19th century. It's funny to think of the The exhibit that greets you when you Broadway," extended to December 2nd). ing in the shadows of the larger, well- steel city that we live in now and see the first enter, the MCNY is "Hirschfeld's Opening soon at the MCNY: "A known museums is The Museum of the depictions of the city back in the days New York." Al Hirschfeld's caricatures Community of Many Worlds: Arab City of New York. Its collections specifi- when wood was the only thing used to of New York life are some of the most Americans in New York City" (Nov. 17- cally explore life in New York City. construct buildings. A winter scene in famous and recqgnizable images. You've Jun. 2) and "Adrian's Camelot" (Dec. 22 "New York's vistas are forever chang- Brooklyn of 1855 does not show brick most likely seen them, even if you didn't -May 26), which will feature eighty cos- ing." For the first time, we can truly under- brownstones, but rather houses made of know they were by Al Hirschfeld. The tume drawings by Gilbert Adrian, intend- stand this sentiment, since recently the city wood. A large part of the collection is museum has a large collection of ed for the 1960 Broadway production of skyline as we know it was radically altered. dedicated to "[celebrating] magnificent Hirschfeld's drawings depicting city life. Camelot. Go online to www.mcny.org The Museum of the City of New York feats of 19th century engineering," such A full range of works, they are divided for a full schedule of events and other (MCNY) currently has an exhibit "Painting as the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of into New York People, Places, and information. The museum is located on the Town: Cityscapes of New York." As the Liberty. As seen in the paintings, Times Performances, which include drawings 5th Avenue at 103rd Street. Admission is information placards point out, New York is Square in the 1940's, although quite of the original Broadway productions of $4 for students. The easiest way from a place that has undergone many challenges unlike the current one in overall abun- Guys & Dolls, 42nd Street, West Side FCLC to MCNY is totake the N/R and has had to rebuild and reinvent itself dance and technology, was not much dif- Story, and RENT. His drawings of peo- uptown at 57th Street and 7th Avenue to after being partially destroyed by fires and ferent in its modd than it is now. People ple include: George and Ira Gershwin, Lexington Avenue. Transfer to the #6 other disasters. The paintings in the exhib- were always impatiently shoving each Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Arthur train, get off at 103rd Street and walk it are from the early 19th century to the pre- other into the subway stations. Miller, andlftfost recently, Tina Brown. three blocks west to 5th Avenue. This sent, however, the most recent piece I There are several other noteworthy At 98, Hirschfeld still occasionally draws way takes approximately 30 minutes noticed was from 1982. Presented are exhibits at MCNY, one of them being for the New York Times and other publi- depending on train service. • Black Box Review: Pianos of Parkridge and Burn This!

By Paul Hagen tails pre-adolescent and Zuzel as the ill- think playwright Lindsay Sullivan would duction of Lanford Wilson's Burn This!, equipped-and-over-compensating father have mixed and matched the characters, a play that unfolds, beautifully crafted Pianos of Parkridge are an endearing pair, but their section of showing them to us in past and present layer after beautifully crafted layer. It is In Pianos of Parkridge, the first of the the show tended to be one-note, enjoy- and showing us a little bit more of the ideal material for a small cast of talented Play writing Projects to debut this semes- able if somewhat monotonous. future. Director Eleanor Holdridge and actors to dig into, bringing to life charac- ter, Billy (Joe Zuzel) is a musician, who Christman and Miller have more conflict designers Paul Mazza and Kerry ters who live in a hurricane of love and hasn't picked up his guitar in years, with which to work, and they created a Chipman hold the show together by longing. The cast of the recent incarna- despite the encouragement of his young believable mother-and-daughter intima- focusing on the music which weaves tion of Burn This!, which was directed by daughter Em. The anniversary of the cy. The push-and-pull that is the hall- through the story. Literally plastering the Maggie Wood and appeared shortly death of Bo (Meggan Jayne Christman), mark of any adolescent-parent relation- walls with sheet music and hearing the before the start of classes (August 31, Billy's wife, prompts him to re-evaluate ship was beautifully created by play- story echoed the guitars and pianos of the September 1 & 2) did just that. Featuring his life. He decides to send Em to live wright, director and actors; so that the between-scene music do much to unify performances crafted to reveal characters with her maternal grandmother Olive scene in which Olive attacks Bo is truly the two vignettes of a family torn apart that gradually become more sad and (Elizabeth Miller). The frustrated Em horrifying. The scene begins as a typical by love and music. It is unfortunate that more real as they push through the walls destroys her father's guitar in protest, but argument, but as each character dares to the play does not contain more of their that divide them. we do not see the repercussions of this push the other further, it builds into a story. Eliza Baldi was beautifully under- act. Rather, time rewinds, and we meet a subtle hysteria. Christman and Miller teenage Bo at war with Olive. Olive beautifully manifest this escalation; mili- doesn't want to see her daughter hurt by tary rigidity takes hold of their limbs and "They enjoy their work so the young and rebelliousBilly. The stress an edge creeps into their voices as they between the two builds as the family's approach the scenes crescendo; mother utterly that they vanish and piano store sinks further into debt, and and daughter become animals. The scene Bo continues to see Billy. In the midst of is undoubtedly the highlight of the pro- characters emerge." an argument, Olive silences Bo by slam- duction. » ming the keyboard cover shut on Bo's Pianos of Park Ridge addresses the stated as Anna, the up-and-coming hands. Almost every bone in Bo's fingers bonds between parents and children that Burn This choreographer disillusioned by the is broken, ruining her potential to be a can so quickly turn from love to a desire .Though most Fordham theater-goers death of her roommate/dance-partner. brilliant pianist and opening a rift for control to violence, but the vignettes are accustomed to the constant parade of Baldi's velvet voice and apparent ease . between mothcr-and-daughter that seems of father and daughter and mother and shows through the Gerald Quinn Studio within her own skin make her a plea- unlikely to heal. daughter don't quite seem to connect. Theater every semester^ most are less sure to watch, but I would have liked to see her more clearly listening to The show's opening leans toward the After setting up such a wonderfully com- aware of the summer projects that spring others. (continued on page 25) saccharine. Calvani as the pretty-in-pig- plicated net of characters, one would up in the space. Among them was a pro- October 1?, 2001 Arts & Culture page 23 POP CULTURE GRAND PRIX

www.rolllng«ton«.coni

(From left to right) Jay-Z, Jim Carrey, Keanu Reeves, and Britney Spears

By Beata Loyfman sitcom, without blinking an 8. Keanu Reeves was born in eye. Basically, you're an enter- Lebanon to an English mother You see all the new movies, tainment industry wiz and and a Hawaii an r Chinese father- Answers know all the actors, schedule there's no one that can rival' He then lived in Canada until tennis practice around your your unending knowledge of the age of 18 and still retains Parti favorite TV shows, can rattle all things mainstream. Well, c.itiienship. 1. True. Careful now Ms. Britney, off the ' names Of all- six now's the chance , to prove there's no need to rock that boat. Friends, in alphabetical arid yourself. Here is a comprehen- Part II: Choose which of 2. False. What, that's not jigga rugged chronological order according sive test of the current pop cul- these are scripts actually enough for you, Z? Actually, Corey is his to their appearances in any tural landscape. Take the chal- being made into films by real middle name. Why can't this guy just installment of the eight year lenge to see if you really are Hollywood arid which are the stick to one moniker? Didn't he learn any- the guru of the biz or just a products of wishful thinking. thing from ODB, aka Russell Jones, aka part time wannabe. Old Dirty Bastard, aka Big Baby Jesus, aka 1. A World War II epic "fool in prison"? Part I: True/False directed by Jerry Bruckheimer 3. False. Although the case is pending about a young colonel whose in the Neverland Court. 1. Australian paparazzi recently belief system is challenged 4. True. Well with a name like that, By Cynthia Rodriguez ^ \ ' -*-. snapped photos of Britney Spears, when he befriends a staunch what's he supposed to be, a pharmacist? _; . - -s ^~~C a devout Pepsi spokesperson, Nazi woman. Starring Kate Actually, Bubba was on his way to pharma- MUSjC ' ";•',.- drinking a bottle of rival Coca- Winslet and Sisqo. cist school when he was approached by a > The Anniversary/Superdrag Cola. Tsk, tsk. 2. A period drama set on the music executive and offered a record deal. Oct. 17th at 7:30 pm at'the 2. Jay Z's actual birth name eve of the French Revolution 5. False. But wouldn't it be great to Bow.ery Ballroom ; ?-»± * -> is Morgan Corey Wallenberry. about a group of visionaries see the former Mr. Universe in a toga? > U2 Oct. 24, 25, "27 ,at' 3. Michael Jackson's plastic who fought against the church 6. True. He learned that from the Tony Madison Square Garden x\ surgeon has sued the King of to create the first ever gas Danza school of "Pathetic Attempts at > New Found Glory +'. H20. Pop for unlawful imprison- powered toilet scrubber. Recapturing One's Career." Oct. 28th at 7:30 pin/at ment and enforced servitude. Starring Ralph Fiennes, Jet Li 7. True. Strange that Fox should broad- Roseland Ballroom , '"-)•••'•' •„ 4. The new single "Ugly" is and newcomer Amber Valetta cast such filth. It's usually the model of by a Southern fried white rap- as Sister Ellen Mary McAffrey. good taste. Isn't it sad that a girl's simple EiJLm • .'• ' &^ .", per named Bubba Sparxxx. 3. The story of a jockey and motives for dating a prince are questioned > Fat G/rl-French coin.ing- 5. Ahnuld's movie Collateral her love for a half man/half by shameless spectacle? of-age film about a- 12-'year- Damage (unreleased due to an horse stable boy entitled The 8. True. Why, this boy can say "Whoa" old's fascination with her,sis- eerie resemblance to recent Centaur. Oddly enough, no in three languages! Can't you just see the ter's sexual initiation. At the events) has been reworked actors have been attached^ to culture seeping from his every pore? Quad Cinema, 13th Street and with the- title Collated star yet. 6th Avenue , "V Homage, a tragicomedy about 4. A Farrelly Bros, tale Part II the life and travails of an about Siamese twins called 1. Fabrication. That Sisqo is more than Galleries ancient Greek manuscript Stuck on You with Ben Stiller just a thong lover, he's also got an MA in >.Lynn"Davis '.'y binder. and Steve Martin. Jim Carrey history from the University of Chicago, Photographs of landscape 6. Patrick Swayze will aban- and Woody Allen were previ- (and if you believe that, you have no busi- images,-namely icebergs.At the. don his currently booming ously set to star, but then ness taking this test) Edwynn Houk Gallery, 745 5th, career as an 80's icon to star someone noticed that they 2. Fabrication. But someone really Ayenue at 57th Street s. > as an Army criminal investiga- don-'t look alike. should tell their courageous story. Hey tor in a new drama series enti- 5. P Diddy, Eminem, Nelly Spielberg, you busy? Fordham Events tled C.I.D. premiering next Furtado and Sean Connery star in 3. Real. You don't believe it? Ask New > DeCafe Oct. 17th at 7 pm fall. Tom Hanks' vision of the 1920 Line's production staff, go ahead, ask them. in the Lowenstein New Student 7. 50 beautiful women will coal miners strike in Matewan, 4. Real. What would Woody do with- Lounge ,- compete in various tests of West Virginia. Diamonds in the out the wonderful wisdom and career > The Three • Sisters^Oct. poise,'sty 1 ep and *who*has™ the Rough is a serious exploration of advice of his wife, Soon Yi? ,„,.,„ 18th-20th at 8 pm in Pope biggest rack, for a chance to the freedoms we, as working 5. Fabrication. Yeah, not even Satan Auditorium, matinee Oct. 19th date a bona fide European Americans, take for granted each could come up with that assembly of at 12,Noon ' , ,.,,,,;• .• prince. day, • talent. • Arts & Culture October 19,2001 I page 24 Sweet But Stale Serendipity

let destiny run its course. If it's meant to tic comedies like As Good as it Gets (the be, it's meant to be. "A few years later" characters here are not that interesting) they are still seeing other people, but this or comedic classics like When Harry Met time, they don't let that get in the way, Sally. So what can you expect? An mostly because, "maViy years later," their upgrade on, the ill fated Ben Affleck- significant others have become nothing Sandra Bullock romance, Forces of more than cartoon characters. Nature. While both Serendipity and Beckinsdale's shaggy-haired and self- "Forces of Nature" push a heavy empha- absorbed boyfriend (John Corbett) tries sis on destiny with great music and great to gainer laughs as Lars, a Yanni-type scenery, neither has much else going on. musician who isn't much more than a I won't ruin the obvious ending for caricature, while Cusack's supermodel you, but let's just say destiny runs it's fiance is given a superficial don't-blink- happy course! Surprise, surprise! or-you'll-miss-her role. However, Cusack (sexy as a romantic The comedy in Serendipity is, surpris- lead) and Beckinsdale (not-as-cute as ingly, not provided by either of the lead mega-watts Meg Ryan or Julia Roberts) characters as much as it is by supporting are not given enough screen time togeth- actors Molly Shannon and Jeremy Piven, er to build up the chemistry to make the cast as best friends to the destined beaus. happy ending satisfying. The movie Molly Shannon plays a down-to-earth makes a point of showing us how unhap- New Age shop owner, who voices the py Cusack and Beckinsdale find them- sheer absurdity of this plot all too well. selves with their significant others later Jeremy Piven's New York Times obitu- in life, but doesn't explain what exactly ary writer follows Cusack around to steal has had the pair pining for each other all his comedic thunder. (The real scene- those not-so-lonely nights.

http://www.serendipity-themovle.com/ stealer is American Pie's Eugene Levy Prognosis? If you insist on seeing this A scene from "Serendipity" with John Cusak and Kate Beckingsale but if I disclose anything about him, movie due to the shortage of good flicks there won't be many laughs left.) This is this season, make a stop to Tower By Darisa Diaz although we do get an awesome tour of one of the movies where you (almost) Records as well. Otherwise, you can visit New York City to the musical stylings of wish the supporting characters were most of New York City as seen in Serendipity, the movie says, is a fortu- Heather Nova and the double-your-pleasure leads or that the people who coordinated Serendipity, with a $4 way-more-Fun nate discovery made accidentally. strumming brothers, Evan and Jaron. the movie promotions had written the Pass. The only person who had any taste Serendipity;Jthe movie, is an unfortunate I didn't expect too much from this plot. A lot of the jokes that get you into in this movie was the one who had the accident with an MTV2 flair. Though it movie. I was looking t& experience a lit- that $10 seat are the jokes that you'v^ idea to highlight that the title is also the wasn't produced by Viacom and doesn't tle romance, a little Comedy, a couple of already laughed at during the commer-^ name of a famous restaurant. Serendipity star Carson Daly, the true star of the movie zingy lines and for the most part, fluff. cial previews. 3, located on 60th Street between 2nd is also neither John Cusack nor Kate The> romance in Serendipity is hard to pin While most romantic^comedies usual- and 3rd Avenue and it offers Cusack and Beckinsdale, but instead, a rather forget- down since, like I said, we don't actually ly are, for the most part, fluff, don't Beckinsdale their just deserts in this table and cheesy soundtrack. The premise get to see the characters interact as much expect a Pretty • Woman type of film. sweet but clueless flick. While the price of the movie is easy enough. Cusack and as we get to watch them run around on Beckinsdale's dewy eyes are not nearly tag on a meal at Serendipity 3 is a bit Beckinsdale meet up in Bloomingdale's the screen to music. The reason they as charming as Julia's. It's not more expensive than admission to this and end up spending the best night of their don't get together that fated night is that Shakespeare in Love either because film, it is by far the tastier treat, serving life together. We don't actually get to see they are seeing other people. Though there's not much word, play here. up fortunate discoveries that Cusack and very much of this oh-so-special night, they flirt openly, they part by deciding to Serendipity is not in the caliber of roman- Beckinsadale can hardly muster. •

Jails y Hospitals & Hip-Hop Holds Up A

Critical Mirror to NYC Culture (continued from page 17)

"Where's the joy?" character he portrays, there can be some Jails is a fast-moving work in which and moral undertones present in Hoch's Though Hoch's work is solo, the jail visual difficulty in accepting that the white Hoch masterfully introduces complex work. Hoch defamiliarizes life, prompt- and stage audiences nevertheless play an Hoch is portraying ethnically different characters in brief vignettes to make a ing his audience to examine the assump- important role in creating an effective characters without any traditionally defin- strong, and at times distressing statement tions it held as true ninety minutes earli- mood. Their reactions demonstrate the ing physical features or accoutrements of about life. Consider the disabled man er. power that Hoch has to make them con- the ethnic groups. The issue Hoch strong- who says goodbye to his speech therapist So then, we return to the initial query sider his statements. After a witty line or ly brings to light is the limitation of the of ten years, one who has helped him posed by Hoch: What is it to be from clever situation, the inmates of thejail human body. The audience is prompted to overcome the verbal disability resulting New York? Does being from New York can be seen smiling and those in the seats ask itself exactly why it sensed any such from his mother's cocaine addiction dur- refer to a color, a race, a state of mind, a around the stage can be heard laughing. discrepancy. To what extent do we make ing pregnancy. Or consider the heroin class, a culture, or something else? Well, However, after a simple yet cogent state- determinations based on physical fea- addict who relates a fierce argument Hoch would probably be loath to answer ment revealing a societal bias, the tures? Do we invest too much in visual among inmates about a television show that question, since to define a being inmates stare at him knowingly and on representation? Isn't culture more than in which Martin Lawrence darkened his from New York would only serve to cre- the stage, Hoch stands in silence as the just ethnicity? skin to portray a black swinger. At other ate a label for certain people, something audience contemplates the weight of his Hoch does more than just talk about times, Hoch is able to couch elements of against which Hoch's characters strug- words. racial issues; he responds to them in his comedy within otherwise desperate situ- gle. To answer the question would only Hoch further implicitly challenges his life. In a true story, he loses an opportu- ations, such as the frustrated prison guard prove that nothing has been learned from audience to question their own assump- nity to guest star on "Seinfeld" because insisting that "assholes" is "just a nick- Hoch's work. His characters put up tions about the contemporary world. he refuses to compromise his values by name" the guards give the inmates in an brave fronts to mask insecurities. They There is the potential for some discordance portraying Spanish character in stereo- attempt to recant his vituperative state- reach for their unreachable dreams. when Hoch portrays a Cuban street vendor type. Furthermore, he is disturbed by the ment. They struggle forward in the face of dfsperately trying to learn more about fact that if the show indeed wanted a Jails is on the surface an often humor* adversity. They are pensive, imagina- American hip-hop culture or a young stereotypical Spanish accent, they hired ous and entertaining one-man show tive, error-prone, and discerning. They Puerto Rican who insists that he is a great him instead of a real Spaniard. Hoch fraught with assorted characters and con- are victims and victors. They are weak dancer while in physical therapy for his marvels: "They didn't want the real vincing modes of expression. To stop and they are strong. HI loch is every one disabling spinal injury. While the audio thing; they wanted somebody who could there, however, would be to unfairly of us. And he cannot be labeled. representation does not produce any do the real thing and still be one of reduce his work to the solo show arche- Jails, Hospitals & Hip-Hop is playing Incongruity between the actor and the them." - - • type and ignore the acute sociological at NYC's Village East Cinema. • October 19,2001 Arts & Culture page 25 Fordham's Production of Three Sisters Overcomes Chekhov's Pessimism By Christopher Monfette about everything without ever taking tion team. The set - a sprawling, spa- steps is in the'first and fourth acts with Over the past several weeks, it has action. cious forest of birch trees - is enchanting the assumption that things were different become apparent that we are now stand- Chekhov's ensemble group of unhap- and hints at a space much larger than is before the lights went up and that they'll ing in the arms of autumn. As tempera- py characters is brilliantly presented actually present. The trees, while open- somehow change once the lights go tures fall and leaves make their exit with onstage by the transcendent cast. ing up the illusion of a vast forest, also down. The added unwritten prologue to the wind, it is only appropriate that Gretchen Hall and Megan Reid turn in appropriately ring true as metaphorical the show aptly sets up all that the audi- Fordhanv University unveils its theatrical admirable performances as Olga and cell bars, jailing all within them. The use ence needs to know: once things were season with a production of Anton Irina, never failing to captivate our atten- of lighting also never fails to pull the wonderful and might be so again. Chekhov's Three Sisters. One would be tion. Of the three sisters, however, it is audience into a scene and always con- Except, of course, we know that will hard pressed to find a play more fitting to Annie Purcell's Masha that shines the veys the proper emotion at the proper never be, no matter how passionately the the darker tones of the season. Filled brightest. In a wonderfully riveting per- time. sisters might wish it. The real annoyance with themes such as death, dying, and formance, Purcell shows her vast talents Finally, director Lawrence Sacharow of the play - or, perhaps, its highest qual- unfounded hope, Three Sisters is a pro- by creating a character that outwardly truly understands how to make Chekhov ity - is in the emptiness of this hope. duction about a Russian family and their and believably radiates an inward strug- live on stage, creating a graceful flow There is no discemable reason why these various acquaintances who are deeply gle. Every aspect of her performance between characters and conversations, characters cannot change their circum- unhappy, dying with the autumn, sad- belies 'an endless ocean of conflicting though never forgetting to draw our eye stances, and with each meaningless cry dened by the promise of an inner winter, emotions and one cannot help but be away from those< speaking to those who of "To Moscow!" we can only be frus- but with the dim hope of a faraway completely taken in by her. must emote in silence. There is never a trated at their complaints. What consider- spring. The sisters in question each wish Other notable performances include character on stage whose presence does ation we might give to this annoyance, to flee from their rural home to Moscow, Jeffery James Keyes as the love-struck not speak of some truth. Sacharow's live- however, is that such may be the case where they wrongfully believe that hap- Vershinin; Michael Briatico as the aging ly, colorful, emotionally dark, and oddly with everyday life. How much do we dis- piness is waiting for them. And as they doctor, Chebutykin; and Damian communal approach to the play is dain what we could easily change? In mournfully exist in their quiet forest Santucci as the ever-patient Kulygin. refreshing and a welcome change from this sense, the pessimistic, brooding community, formulating plans for Aside from the sisters, these are perhaps most performances of Chekhov's work. nature of the play upsets us only because change, nothing truly happens to change the play's most complicated roles, and The play succeeds largely in the sec- it forces us to look at our own strange anything. Keyes, Briatico, and Santucci each lend ond and third acts, gaining inspiration reluctance to be happy. The problem is that Chekhov's play their characters a light, which easily and empathy with each passing line, and Overall, Three Sisters is well-con- never says much more than what we could have been extinguished in lesser the reason for this is simply because strueted and near masterful in its execu- might get at a particularly dysfunctional hands. So hats off to this wonderful cast, these acts are not burdened with the tion, though its heavy-handed, debatable family Thanksgiving. The characters, all there's not a weak link to be found. unnecessary business of beginning or source material makes it difficult to com- hoping for some luck in life, complain Behind the cast is the talented produc- ending anything. Where the play mis- pletely enjoy. • Black Box Feeling Review: Pianos ofParkridge and Creative? Burn This!

(continued from page 22)

Marco Formosa as Burton, Anna's angry, drunk and confused Pale was occasional boyfriend, seemed initially every bit as carefully constructed as unsure of himself, but settled into a the less frenetic, more emotionally more clearly defined character over naked Pale later on, yet at the same the course of the show; his perfor- time there is a wonderful consistency. mance was strongest when it reached He patently avoids the all-too-common the pseudo-romantic tension between pitfall of losing character as the char- Burton and Anna's roommate Larry acter changes. toward the end of the piece. Micah Maggie Wood's direction also decided- Bucey was spectacular in the role of ly does justice to Wilson's play. The space Larry. At once able to manifest an was used well; in a play with so many explosion of physical and vocal energy entrances and exits and so many "other and the more delicate sadness beneath rooms" just offstage, it is easy to become it, Bucey was a pleasure to watch on aware of the theatricality of it all. But the stage whether the material was funny, production was so honest and so utterly The Observer's serious or other. Jeff Barry gave a involving that the theater disappears. It bravura performance as Pale, the was also clear that the actors were com- brother of Anna's recently deceased fortable on the stage; a sign of a great pro- literary Section roommate, who comes to pick up his duction is that the actors do not struggle. brother's things and stays to fall into a They enjoy their work so utterly that they tangled love-hate relationship with vanish and characters emerge. It seems is now accepting Anna. Barry at first filled Pale with an appropriate that in the program Barry energy that is so manic that it seemed .invited the audience on behalf of the pro- he would burst right through his tacky duction to "breathe with us" as one could reader submissions. suit; as Pale tentatively grows to trust almost not avoid releasing the sigh of an Anna, Barry completely transformed unconsciously held breath as the lights the character. His performance as an faded on the final scene. • Litera October^, 2001

Greetings AH, on this, our third official edition of the Observer's Literary Section. I hope this letter finds each one of you in good health and high spirits. As I write this, I'm finding it difficult to imagine that we're nearly two months into the school year already. Strange, isn't it, how time ticks down in silence behind us? Life, always the Great Distracter, somehow always manages to focus our attention elsewhere, and when we find the occasional opportunity to peak back at the clock, it's always later in the day than it seems. So, having said that, here's to pleasant distractions. I hope you 've found a few in the pages of a good book or at the tip of an inspired pen. Now... Once more into the breach... Onto business... Today, Dan and I have the pleasure of an introduction. We 'dlike to present to you the newest member ofowLiteraryfamily, Brooke Whitley, who has taken up tfie man- tle of Assistant Mitorfor our section. Not only is she a talented writer, but she s also a terrific worker and looking, as we all are, to draw your eyes and offerings toward these waiting pages. She's been with us on the past two issues and we'd love for you to get to know her better. Feel free to e-mail her with comments, suggestions, ques- tions, and written material, as you may with either Dan or myself As always, our contact information is listed at the conclusion of this letter. And finally, let's take a moment to acknowledge our countrys present endeavor. There will, no doubt, be a myriad of opinions on the matter, and we want you to utilize this section as an artistic soapbox. Good literature is entirely about casting light. It illuminates and shines down on any given subject, revealing texture and depth, and all one needs to do is change the source to create an entirely new vision. So shine some light with us in these coming days. If you 've got a literary response to these actions and would like to share it with others, please, send it along. We 'd love to give it a home. Alas, in the words of our time's great philosopher, "That's all folks!" Take care and be well. See you on thefiipside. • Sincerely,

Christopher Monfette ([email protected]) Dan Murphy ([email protected]) Brooke Whitley ([email protected]) On the Misgivings and Benefits of Youthful Writing By Daniel Murphy and that it was no more abstract than rock. oly on education plantation songs. We work their land, but At that moment I first studied pain as a pos- The natives broke easy for basic are told not to know why, not to ask why. "But though I have wept and fasted, sibility rather than an inevitability. I had malappropriation of monies and a few wept andprayejl, grown in stupidity in direct proportion to packs of smokes. •. "You will understand when you are Though I have seen my head [grown ' the procuration and fermentation of wis- Then the wise started talking and we lis- older." slightly bald] brought in dom. I had become drunk on wisdom. tened: "Fear the natural existence. Fear "I will understand now." upon a platter, Free-dom, a kingdom of thought unfettered "What, will the blind lead the blind?" I am no prophet - and here's no THETHESl£ by order, where ideas roam aimlessly, to be' "Out of Thebes, and out of one's ^ great matter; Whosoever fears leaping from a tree is had by anyone, to be loved by anyone.

By William Kiernan four men; an artist, a philosopher, a poet, out word like it was from the mouth of passed by the mystery of the eternal and a dreamer. Neither of us was ever God. That dfewn out "in-between" that amidst the rumbling chaos of concrete' This one goes to McKinley sure of where one stood in that spectrum, catches the mind and brings smiles. I and dreams. Mars hovered above, a fan- Morganfield, dgar Muddy Waters, who but this was no matter. Alas, this sporadic turned around to see Juan's face, his fin- tastic red. Below, we sentient beings, sat in Coahoma, Mississippi singing of exodus may light. Where the hell is the ger pointing at me with a slight bend at Juan and I, wallowed in the mire of the bad things that happen to good peo- D-train? the joint. "Yes, Yes!" he screamed at me time's surpassing capacity to accent ple, for the men and women without a pointing franticly. memory. I was swinging on the East country, for the same men and women "Yes! Juan," I exclaimed as we Coast, trying to figure out the extinction who built the country. The exodus has a embraced like we had just returned from of my self? I was searching for a way to meaning. "Where did you say you were from?" war. God, his face was a jewel. He be as transient as the passing winds. But "California." looked thin, depleted, but he gave off a this was a compulsive dream of desire, That's what I said, the exodus has "California, nope, don't care much for charisma of some fat hearty cat, the likes which I had had many times. I would meaning. I don't know where, but it's def- California. Me and the wife, we went I had interviewed on the Bayou. wake, and be lost and confused again. initely not here on this corner. Now I'm there, visit the in-laws, ya know all bout "Brother, get me to a place." Times were going to change, it was dire. east, the East. A different feeling comes it. Yeah here it is. C'mon, I'll show ya the "Yes." I was searching for the subtle Tao, I don't over me. Something primordial, some- room. It's a simple room, window, some We got into his box, a brown machine know what to call it. thing recalled from the primitive spirits furnishings; last guy left a chair. Don't from the days of Boogie, a boat, a big "Sleep beckons on tired eyes," Juan of man. Moving East has a feeling, away know what happen to him. Bastard. Place brown boat. We took off with thunder said to me. from the Elysian manifest of sun set. was a wreck, left it a wreck." under the hood, leaving fuming toxins "Word reverend, pass it on." • Towards the Rise of Heaven. New York; "He just left?" inebriating the air. He had Dexter down broke down and hard times. "Yeah, plowed outta here like a bull. Gordon blue note sessions sliding out the I don't know exactly what happened to Ever see a bull fight? Mean suckers, they windows. This was good, I was home. get me here, but now I'm in Herald fight and run, and then, ah, whatta they We pulled up to a building, which Square, ,and Jacks face is everywhere. call 'em, the matadors or something just seemed empty. His palace. I'm paranoid, people know that I'm not kills him. Don't care much for bulls. "My home. Soho pays. Its all mine, tm- from here. I'm the stranger, the goner, Come in, see, its simple, cheap and sim- the back has an enchanted garden of can't last, there's no hope. I've gone too ple." sorts. Lots of open space inside. Lots, far. My walk is different. People can see "Yeah, it's.fine though. How much?" lots, lots." Juan repeated words so that it. I can't function the same as them. I go "Three hundred, no security, one hun- emphasis was never lost. It was though shortest to buy a pack of cigarettesf and the way I dred deposit, cash." everything he said, by definition, had a ask, the way I hand the dollars over; he "What's with that fan?" meaning and place. distance knows I'm from somewhere else. In time, "Guy left it, yours if you want it. I needed a drink quick, and Juan pro- between you I'll blend in and catch up. Calm down. .Works good I reckon, just needs a cover." vided one.9 We needed to talk; I had to Call Juan Capist&no! "I'll only need it for a-.few months. find some ground. I felt like my soul had- and your Juan has the soul of a billionaire. His Three hundred? Alright." ' n't breathed in months. After the book movements are prolific and confident. As "What's your name?" was finished, there was nothing. We went refund an artist he looks at the world through a "Leighton, my friends call-me L, inside'and immediately sat down at his lens of pure being, as though he per- Leighton is my name." table. ceives existence as is, at its radical core. "Well alright, Leiton, its yours, here's "Talk," he said to me as he lit a ciga- ¥ He questions the mystery with a sword of the keys." rette. pranja. Juan and 1 were old school boys, I was tired. I needed sleep. The train is I began to empty myself. and we partook in the pomp and circum- death by rail. Amtrak boasts the capacity "I think I caught the Fear, the Fever. stance that comes with young boys living to transport people via massively con- The fear, you know. Like that last dusk the beautiful illusion of the American centrated pockets in electrified boxes. I before we all parted. When we stood on Youth; the adventuret the breathing para- tire. This place sucks. I was told dreams the pulsing ground looking at the quarter dox of the sacred female other, and all about New Orleans. Creole and jazz. moon and sun setting, in the same jump- the rest which matters less. We got split Nothing like that. Its hazy, hot, and ing breath. Where the universe collided by high and low roads after college and humid down here. Why did I come? I've and revealed itself, it stood there naked all the days that faded into one another been gone from Call for two days, and in front of an unassuming lover. Leaving thereafter. As a writer, I got a deal to already I feel ill. I don't know where I am itself to examination and criticism, write a piece on blues, river and zydigo really. I got off the train and picked up a acceptance and denial. We looked at the music on the bayou, and he was starving paper, spent a night in the hostel on universe before us, and knew that it was in the Bronx as an artist. We were all Cardonlette, and came to this place, the there. Almost perfect, at least in its starving. first place I saw an add for. It sold me at capacity to express itself as universe and tffr WMllWl. IRS eJfe \% "Juan, brother, its me." "CHEAP." School became a process, a cosmo, as divine and God-knowing. It "Boy? Brotha, say what? How the tiresome process. It was no challenge, was like that, that, or this, the ominous *w n^ndl* 1*33 tt^ hell...why what? Why how the hell are spew and consume, spew and consume. air. That's us, Juan, in a way. No, exact- you!" Juan spoke with smoothness the No one understood my discontent. No ly." I was throwing fingers around like likes of cream. His voice rekindled one heard, they all walked around in a pulsing batons of a symphony. "But we something in me immediately. This world where no one heard a word,' but can't, I can't express that. I know it but would be good for me. everyone was screaming. And then, I can't live it. The Fear, is not the fear of "I'm in New York, I'm standing on the read.a play by Tennessee Williams, and unknowing, but really knowing and fail- corner of 34th and Broadway." decided I would come here. Oh art, your ing. It's that I don't know myself in any "Balls? You're what? What happen to madness too often dictates lives to be way, but I can see myself in the mirror. Voodoo?" ""'' 'fead with confused meaning. It was time It's not knowing what is wholly there to "It's gone, it's done. I'm finished there. though. Time to get out on the road, bless be known. Pretending to explore your I busted out. I just got lost and busted myself with a pilgrimage. Now here, at created self, even though you have no out. I need a place to stay." the Hotel Afternoon, as its dilapidated understanding of what has passed before "No, No, you don't need any place sign says, I am sitting. In a verifiable your lips and eyes. But, Juan, I guess stay brother, you have plaaacez to stay. hole. The first night of the rest of my life, that's the plight of being human, too This is jazz my man, this is it. It's on! The where do I go from rjfere? I look in the human. The anxious fetish for living, but salon is back. Yes Salon! Marlowe is mirror on the dresser. all at once, and not knowing how or why. coming in tomorrow. Man do you tempt "Leighton." I have nothing to say to And then forgetting yourself again and the fates! Get your ass uptown, with the myself. again." I exploded onto Juan with a *m MM cflcfc, to Hurry rt*«ij quickness! Take the D-train, get off at catharsis. He sat there shaking his head; Tremont..,I'll be there." I loved it when his eyes were of understanding, associa- J^il** to wtpaw to Juan spoke through his teeth in an excit- tion. ed fashion, plaaacez rang in my mind. Getting off the train in the Bronx was """•' "Soon, my friend, soon. We have work It was on. Marlowe was coming to odd enough. I immediately started look- to do. You'll get back. Now foods, yes, town? Marlowe, blessed Marlowe had ing for Juan. I wanted to see his face; I foods." been in Belgium for sometime, studying wanted to embrace him like a brother. The night passed with minor wines the Thought. The salon was a meeting of "Doode!" 1 heard that smooth drawn and coffees. We sat on his roof encom- Literary October 19,2001 page 28 unarmed but Falling completely dangerous By Christopher Monfette By Lauren Quigley Watchingyou, Wave through the light of an evening moon I have to meet you in an how and the weather outside beats relentless. Black and see through, then black and tight, secure in your favorite wrapper Blue sky and starlight, clinging clean from your locket down to my garters, following silk encased stems. I am shaved, smooth, and powder fresh, always hoping for the best. And all of these worries just fading away as I move, Critically standing before of the mirror, one last inspection before departure. 'hrough the old field, through doorways, and into your room. The door opens to a rush of air, my skin tightens instantly, involuntarily And you 're waiting, as I make my way onto the street, into the stares and flirty eye play. Waiting for me as I follow, Running the gauntlet of January's sadistic, frozen playground, Through gravity, brevity —falling... my coat flies out on each side, whipping curled strait then back again leaving confidently stockinged legs pummeled with stinging ice shards.

And it's just like scene from a book, or a film, or a song that I heard in the past. And it 'sjust like a dream; Am I dreaming, or waking, or simply just breathing Each meeting of sidewalk and stiletto draws hips to sultry sway, too fast? swaggering down concrete run ways with attitude and expert timing. Wind going up the line and under the hem, somewhere I picture you to be, And I'm falling... creating shivers through the body that weren't quite what I had hoped. Falling through grace and beauty Enduring every step with these high-heeled feet, hoping the band-aid holds. The look on your face is new to me And I don "t know... Just when I know it's not worth it- the cat calls, nicks, and twisted ankles No, I don IJcnow... anything... I close my eyes and picture the reward of you squirming on a bar stool staring mesmerized at the inside of crossed legs, unaware of your audience. And I do not think that I'll ever forget Mindless and hungry, just like I left you, hanging on every deliberate move These seconds we 're spending; these moments we 've spent still unaware of the calculations, practice, and vanity that has gone into this. If tomorrow is just an illusion or tricky I'll forever remember the joy and the risk Sitting perfectly poised, one leg over the other, face drenched in deep red M Offalling... feeling the power of image take hold of your logic and sense of self worth, -1 Falling this fast in my dreams I could not help but get that feeling again, of being priceless walking art. Which are always more real than this little, lost life that I lead Exploited and exhausted to the last inch, inspirational, beautiful, kept silent Enjoying the ability to be unarmed and completely dangerous. Whatever the outcome Whatever the end I will take it and make it a way to begin This rising... So Simply Rising toward you for the first time

0 I'm on my way... By Daniel Murphy I'm on my way... Once upon a time, it mattered; given space or rhyme, whether or not I spoke or sighed.

Leaving Later upon that time, the sigh became a sign, By Maria Heit-Galeano and I embraced our rhyme. I beheld the essence for my time. In order to leave this room permanently I would need at least one month Twice upon a time, to wash my feelings fits and faith it mattered of the walls (taking yours and mine) To strip the floor of my ideas and images whether I loved moments if intense insanity and ingenious or forever lied. It was here across from John Lennon andRingo That I learned the melody of love Then time and crime along the lines of your back perverted it all; I would need so many hands to help me and I sighed, move the weight of all those nights that and I lied, I spent never having enough of your fingertips and lips and I tried (so simply) and eyes and always tired sighs to make it all worth while. Oh! It would take the strength of eight great men to lift that overwhelming feeling of But when the time came, -Here is where I fit- and all the people gathered round, Removing my heart from I froze in the light of shame the creases of your sheets and I stared off to lovers bound. rubbing the deep stain of my awe and kisses I crave simplicity. off your pillows (What do I have to give?) After all is moved and the room is empty I gave my heart to thee. of my existence """~"^nHT\Vbiild stand there In a room no longer mine I would need to lift my heavy soul Who so loves what I live? off the center of the floor I crave your sin and pity. Butihe strength of all great men I love my sin and could never carry it to the door. I love your pity.