From the Editor's Desk . . . There are two subjects which I feel need to be mentioned. One is on its way to being solved and the other may never be resolved. Non-smokers will be relieved of inhaling bothersome, loathsome, foul-smelling smoke that lingers in the hallways, the Lion's Den and even the rest rooms if the proposed no-smoking policy goes into effect Jan. 1. Although I will not be here to enjoy the smoke-free environment, at least I will know that there will be non-smokers returning home without the smell of smoke in their hair or on their clothing. So, thank you to the Student Government Association for voting to pass the policy. I hope that in my next editorial I can thank the policy's implementation committe as well. Now, on to the second issue which disturbs me. In less than two weeks, we will have the opportunity to choose the next president of our country. How many of us know who the best candidate is? More importantly, how many of us will vote? All legal citizens over the age of 18 have the opportunity to choose our governmental leaders. I have always taken great pride in this right. Now, in the first election I am able to vote, I find myself wondering if a trip to the polls would be worth my effort. I have no strong opinion of either candidate. If I were leaning toward Bush, I'd think twice -- even thrice -- before voting for him for fear of his running mate someday taking over as president. I think Bentsen is a qualified, honest, intelligent choice but I am not voting for a vice president, but a president. All things considered, I must rely on my intuition and best judgment. And, if on the night of Nov. 7 I still do not know who is the best choice, perhaps it will come to me in a dream. If not, I'll enter the booth; say a prayer and hope that I've made the right decision. Four years can be an awfully long time. Letters to the editor are always welcome and encouraged. Address all mail to the editor, 216 Olmsted. Watch for details on the upcoming mock election co sponsored by Capital Times. Ballots will be available some time next week. 1211114;11 1 ; : i i illMai ;La WNW, Editor-in-chief Kimberly M. Anastas Managing Editor Joe Kupec Advertising/Business Manager Scot Levy News Editor Bernie Mixon Associate News Editor Nathan Rapelje Adviser Dr. Peter Parisi • " Staff: Ahdreit Abo4Psii*D#OftlYni* P4O cttl#4 . : , XevillPaeettlbgi . NlichekWti.CNY". 'taker- SieilY -K*..* : ftitiV(Mel*o4::rafa 1 N 4 . 40 111. 4 PAdo*ii: girett*Ftifre*;.T.9)%q.rc . 4o l o ll ) . !.. beliisd : *ikiniiii 46(l 4AtOiiL .6 44 . sook.:TO*4 l :l4l l ;* :: *h.oqt.:Pool*sioOP;: • • ••••••• .7. • • •• ••• •••• • ••• • •••••• •••• ••• ••• . . •...• . •.. . . . . , ..„............................................... . . . . .......... , ............ . . . . . . ....... . , .......... . . . • **' *"'* * • The Capital Times is published by the students of Penn State Harrisburg. Concerns about content of any issue should be directed to the editor in mom 212, Olmsted. Any opinions expressed are those of the author and are not representative of the college administration, faculty or student body. The Capital Times does not endorse its advertisers. The Capital Times welcomes signed letters from readers. Unsigned letters cannot be printed; however, a writer's name may be withheld upon request. By Kimberly M. Anastas, editor-in-chief Album Review U 2 Album Dispels Pretense By David A. Blymire U2's Rattle and Hum displays virtuosity, maturity and vision. Some critics in the past may have preferred to include "pretension" in such a list of descriptions, but this time, perhaps "confidence" will be the critics' choice. This collection of studio and live tracks rattle, hum, grind, dance, weep, and laugh their way through the folksier side of life in the land of the free and the home of the brave, capturing the essence of many varieties of American "roots music." The album's other purpose is, as lead singer Bono put it, "to get America out of our system." Produced by Jimmy lovine, Rattle and Hum includes a host of gutsy guest appearances, ranging from Bob Dylan to Brian Eno to the black choral New Voices of Freedom. This album is a soundtrack to the forthcoming movie about U2's musical exploits, and begins with a cover of the Beatles' "Helier Skelter." The Edge's brainchild, "Van Diemen's Land," is a number dedicated to an Irish poet of the revolutionary Fenian stock whose lack of talent forced his deportation to Australia. Bob Dylan's classic, "All Along The Watchtower" is given a muscular delivery. A dynamic live version of "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" features the New Voices of Freedom's vivacious backing vocals and represents a significant merger of rock and black gospel music. But the highlight of the album comes in the last four songs. "God Part II," dedicated to John Lennon, is a giddy observation of popular American attitudes. Bono sings, "I don't believe in the 60's/in the Golden Age of pop/You glorify the past while the future dries up." Then a recording of Jimi Hendrix's growling guitar version of "The Star Spangled Banner" segues into a song Bono wrote after a short-term missionary stint in Central America a year and a half ago, "Bullet the Blue Sky." Bono improvises some lines at the end, drawing comparisons between the violence in the song's message and the decadence of wealthy media moguls. • „ x2w Yewo f<s /ec_D /OA/6: Goy "I can't tell the difference between ABC News and Hill Street Blues, and a preacher on the old time gospel hour, stealing money from the sick and the old," the singer charges, "Well the God I believe in isn't short of cash, mister." The album ends on a note of relief in the Brian Eno-styled "All I want is you," a positive affirmation of love and intimacy that forms a sharp contrast to the several songs preceding it. U 2 also focuses its collective musical energy toward racism, particularly in America and South Africa. The live versions of "Pride" and "Silver and Gold" are indicative of the kind of dynamism a U 2 concert can generate, in which an entire stadium resounds in celebration of figures like Martin Luther King or the unseen heroes of the South African resistance movement. However, U 2 still prefers to remain more reserved about its place in demanding social and political change, believing their music to be nothing more than just "good rock and roll." At the end of "Silver and Gold," a song originally written for the anti apartheid Sun City album, Bono complains about a lack of support for Bishop Desmond Tutu's call for economic sanctions, but then asks the audience, "Am I bugging you?" Bono has also gone out of his way recently to downplay his "rock star" image. "Love Rescued Me," which appears only on the compact disc version, describes the pressures of being known by so many people who look to entertainers for answers. "Many strangers have I met/On the road to my regret/Many lost who seek to find themselves in me/They ask me to reveal/The very thoughts they would conceal." It shouldn't surprise anyone that Bob Dylan, the king of ambiguous rock identities, sings backup on this song. U 2 has attempted a big project with this combination album and movie. While the album is a collection fans will not want to miss, the release of a full-length movie about themselves is another matter. We'll have to wait until after the movie is released Nov. 4 to find out if "pretension" or "confidence" is the critics' choice in defining the band. -.C't '`` t eve.,e>
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