Newswise — U.S. HAS CONFLICTED HISTORY OF MULTILATERALISM -- This week's U.N. speeches by George W. Bush and French President Jacques Chirac marked the latest example of what appears to be a widening chasm between the United States and much of the world when it comes to international politics. But, Temple political science professor Geoffrey Herrera points out, the United States has a long history of both support for and ambivalence toward multilateralism. "The U.S. of course was and still is the great champion of multilateralism--creating the U.N., the IMF, the World Bank, and what became the GATT after WWII. But it has also always been ambivalent about fully embracing the world and has always objected far more strenuously than most to being bound by the decisions of others," says Herrera. "In other words, multilateral institutions have always had the full support of the U.S., unless they wish to rule against us. Then they are viewed as irksome, dominated by despots, and illegitimate."
GOODBYE, VETERANS STADIUM...SO LONG, JOE SIX-PACK? -- While multi-purpose Veterans Stadium wasn't pretty, it did give blue collar fans a place to call their own--something which today's new stadiums don't do, says Temple sports economist Michael Leeds. "People have already complained that Lincoln Financial Field, like the CoreStates/First Union/Wachovia Center, has too corporate an atmosphere. That, of course, is by design," says Leeds. "While the 700-level wingnuts gave the Vet what little atmosphere it had for Eagles or Phillies games, they were not the ones paying the big bucks. And that is what these new stadiums are all about. They were sought and built with luxury boxes, club seats and corporate sponsorship in mind--not Joe Six-Pack. It will be a different, probably quieter, atmosphere at the new facilities." City sports fans won't remember the Vet as much for its architecture as for what was accomplished there, particularly the Phillies' world championship and the Eagles' NFC title in 1980, Leeds notes. "I don't think people will remember the structure itself fondly. It wasn't pretty, and it wasn't interesting. The Vet's circular shape was a compromise between the Eagles' desire to have fans along the sidelines and the Phillies' desire to have fans in a horseshoe around the infield. The compromise left almost no one with a good seat."
COME AND SEE: TEMPLE HOMECOMING 2003 -- A marquee series of events highlights Temple's annual Homecoming celebration. Join Owls and Eagles, watch game shows and relay races, paint your face, gorge on carnival food, dance the Mummers strut and tailgate with alumni before the big game. Tuesday, Oct. 7, Fall Fest 2003: The celebration is an outdoor, can't-miss event for the entire Temple community. Food, music and carnival games, plus the ROTC will rappel down the Biology Life Sciences Building, students will compete in a Mummers strut contest and, of course, a mechanical bull awaits all challengers. (10 a.m.-4 p.m., Bell Tower, 13th St. and Liacouras Walk). Thursday, Oct. 9, Pep Rally: 12:30 p.m. at the Bell Tower, the residence hall relays come to a close and Owls head football coach Bobby Wallace and his team will get the campus charged for...Saturday, Oct. 11: Temple Owls vs. Boston College Eagles: The Owls take on a tough Big East foe in this year's annual Homecoming game. (3:30 p.m., Lincoln Financial Field).
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