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When just being against something isn’t enough

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Hearing the Democrats over the last year, one might get the impression the election is a forgone conclusion and the General Services Administration should already be handing over the keys to the White House to the Kerry campaign. According to them, President Bush is so unpopular that all they had to do was offer up a warm body and we can all just stick a fork in it…game over! Unfortunately for the Democrats, they didn’t offer up a warm body…they offered up a dead one.

For a guy that’s supposed to be the end all of Presidential prowess, Kerry has yet to make anyone breathe hard. With the primary criteria to be President now being measured by the command of a small boat on a river, this should have been a walk in the park for him. Now Bush is ahead in a variety of polls. It’s not the kind of lead that makes a landslide, but with such a controversial entry into office, being ahead at all is quite an accomplishment. So what’s Kerry’s problem? It’s actually quite simple: he’s given you no reason to vote for him. Numerous polls show overwhelmingly that those who identify themselves as voting for Kerry are doing so not because they think Kerry is a great guy, but because they’re anti-Bush. Democrats and some liberals on this campus thought that this was all they were going to need, and lo and behold they’re quickly finding out it’s not working.

Voters want a reason to vote for something, not just a reason to vote against it. True enough, in a contested race a challenger has to show cause as to why the incumbent needs to go, but more so he or she needs to tell you why he is a better choice. Kerry has failed to do this and to an almost insurmountable extent he has allowed the Bush campaign to define him. Consider this: at the Republican Convention we did hear why Kerry was a bad choice, but overwhelmingly we heard why Bush was better. Contrast that with the Democrat’s pow-wow in Boston -four days of “Bush is the epitome of evil.” Nothing about why Kerry would be better on his own merit, and this was the place where that case was supposed to be made.

As I said here last spring, the essence of Kerry’s campaign is “Bush Sucks; I’m not Bush; Vote for me”. Of course now we can add, “Bush sucks; I’m not Bush; My wife is unstable; and oh and by the way, did you know I was in Vietnam?; oh yeah… vote for me.” I’m certainly inspired.

Scott Wacholtz can be contacted at s.wacholtz@umiami.edu.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

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RE: Attention broadcast journalism students! 9/14

To the editor:
I was so amused by the news brief on the Fox News Channel (FNC) College Challenge that I momentarily thought it must be April Fool’s Day. FNC sponsoring a contest where students must submit an “objective” broadcast news story is akin to Fidel Castro sponsoring a contest for student essays on human rights.

Mike Rosenthal
Class of 1978

RE: Gay marriage argument not as simple as it seems, 9/14

To the editor:
In The Hurricane’s last issue, Don Donelson argued that, instead of an amendment banning gay marriage, there should be a constitutional amendment so that states can decide whether or not to recognize the gay marriage licenses of other states. He is attacking Article IV, Section 1 of the Constitution, which affirms that records in one state must be recognized by all others. Why should states only have the option of denying another state’s gay marriage licenses; why not allow Florida to choose not to recognize all marriages, straight or gay, made between 2 and 5 a.m. in Las Vegas chapels?
To argue that, “marriage is, historically, a religious entity” in this country is plainly false. Our government does not group “together a religious occasion and a legal proceeding;” religious people do. And why single out gay marriages? If civil and religious marriages are indeed “irreconcilably different,” why hasn’t an amendment to outlaw marriage between atheists been proposed? Perhaps the problem is nomenclature; why not simply change the name of civil marriage to “civil union” for all couples?
Imagine if Mr. Donelson’s bizarre proposal were reality. Legally wed gay couples would have to be careful where they vacation; if Adam were to be injured, would Steve’s insurance cover him in a state that did not recognize gay marriage? Gay couples do not want to run down the aisle of your local church; they want the same tax breaks, inheritance rules, and benefits that straight couples enjoy.
A truly conservative and human approach to this issue is to allow gay marriages; conservatives have been advocating this for over a decade (see Andrew Sullivan’s “Here Comes the Groom” in the Aug. 28, 1989(!) edition of The New Republic). The issue at hand is not religious in nature; rather it is about equal protections under the law.

Joshua Arcurio

Editorial The Senate’s desperate soliciting

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We are disgusted by an email sent out by the Academic Affairs Chair of the Student Government asking presidents of student organizations for money to fund a new website program for the Senate. This sad fundraising attempt that begs already budget-constrained student organizations for capital is shameful.

The Senate wants $3000 to defray the cost for LegiSlate, a computer program that would allow the legislative body to post its bills and each senator’s voting record online. While this site sounds like a practical idea to communicate with the vast majority of the students that are clueless as to what the Senate actually does, asking student organizations to fund the expense is absurd.

Are student organizations like Organization for Jamaican Unity and the Caribbean Students Organization meant to divert the funds they’re raising for the victims of Hurricane Ivan to fund the Senate’s website whim?

In fact, the Senate already has a rather comprehensive website, and if it really wanted to post its bills and senator voting records, it could do so in its current site without incurring any expense. This would fare better than requesting donations from student organizations that don’t care about some of the useless, repetitive bills the Senate passes. Cases in point, taken from last semester’s Senate minutes: Bill to Amend the Senate Statues, Bill to Ratify a Student Government Senator, Bill to Ratify an Elections Commissioner.

In the email, the Chair tries to spin the issue, saying that LegiSlate – and its “interactive interfaces” – would be helpful to student organizations, which is why they should pay for it. After checking out the program’s brochure, however, it’s clear that the website is more useful to senators than to the rest of the student body. In all honesty, very few if any students are going to log on to read each piece of legislation submitted to the Senate and track its process.

And, while the cost per student organization may not be too steep, it’s the principle of having to pay the Senate that irks us. It’s desperate, needy, and shows poor form.

Besides, the Senate is perfectly capable of working to fundraise on its own, much like all other student organizations are forced to do. Car washes, bake sales, and auctions, anyone?

In fact, the members of the Senate could each make a contribution to go towards paying for LegiSlate and lower the amount of money to be fundraised. This would be at a higher cost per student than charging the student organizations, but at least the students using the website would be the ones paying for it – and the Senate would keep the little dignity it has left.

Hot dates and cheap books online

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A new website, created by Harvard alumni Tyler Winklevoss, Divya Narendra and Cameron Winklevoss, is taking the college world by storm. ConnectU.com has created a social network amongst over 200 universities, including the University of Miami. The site boasts features such as blogs, profile browsing, book sales, and chat, just to name a few. Furthermore, it’s free to use and free of advertisements.

Word is spreading, and approximately 80 UM students have joined.

“I signed up for ConnectU when I got an email from a friend I met at a program called Great Start at UM,” Danette Beitra, freshman, says. Beitra has already met four people through the site.

Students can make professional and personal connections on campus as well as nationwide.

“Once, someone emailed me just to ask about Miami’s hot spots because he was coming to visit,” Laurie O’Conner, freshman, says. “It’s definitely fun to chat with students from different places and backgrounds.”

Creator Tyler says the site couples fun social traits with an incredible amount of practical services.

“I think [one] thing that’s fun is the ‘Most Popular Profiles.’ There are definitely some interesting characters on that, and there are definitely some pictures that would inspire the opposite sex,” Tyler says. “Even though the directory, profiles and class rosters are not as sensational and entertainment based, they are going to prove to be very essential.”

ConnectU also serves as a medium through which students can buy and sell their books not just to people on campus, but to students all over the country.

“I asked myself, ‘Should I get the eight dollars or just burn them in my fireplace?'” Tyler says.

ConnectU has grown to 15,000 users since its launch last May. When asked what can be expected of the site in the future, Tyler envisions ConnectU growing to be even more helpful to students.

“ConnectU is going to grow and become more helpful, whether by integration through mobile phones, file sharing, or growth in capabilities,” Tyler says. “We’ll do little things here and there, and in time, when you look back, you’ll be able to see how far it has come.”

>> For more information, visit www.ConnectU.com.

Margaret Scott can be contacted at m.scott5@umiami.edu.

Presidential debate brings with it many headaches, publicity

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Nominations are sealed, political season has been cranked up to high gear and the action is coming right to the University of Miami’s doorstep. The first Bush-Kerry Presidential Debate is fast approaching, bringing national and international personalities, politicians, press, and pundits alike. However, with such a grandiose event comes a price to pay.

Beginning with next week’s arrival of the Dalai Lama, UM faculty and students may experience slight delays in various aspects of university life.

Plan accordingly, says Dr. Pat Whitely, vice president of Student Affairs. With advanced notice that will be given to all students, there should be no surprises. As the full impact of the event becomes more apparent, the university is making every effort to supply current information. Administration is acting to ensure that things run as smoothly and safely as possible.

Security will become heavier as the debate nears. Sean McHose, senior, doesn’t appear to be daunted.

“I feel safer,” McHose says, “because security is going to be as tight as Joan Rivers’ eyelids.”

Soon students will be required to wear their ‘Cane Cards at all times as they move about campus. This doesn’t mean in pockets and purses-they need to be visible. In order to make that possible, the university is providing complimentary lanyards at the UC information desk and ‘Cane Card and residence hall offices. Students cannot have any outside guests on campus the week of the debate.

“It’s a great opportunity for UM, so a little inconvenience is good for that,” said Anja Muller, senior.

But commuters and car owners beware: parking and transportation will be greatly affected by the debate and its preceding events. This week, alternate parking has become available by the Lowe Art Museum, creating some additional 350 spots in so-called “green spaces.” This is precursory to the closures of several residential college parking lots and the reassignment of the Pavia garage as “residents only.”

These measures will be in effect from Sept. 27 through 30, though the inconveniences will not be limited to those days. Whitely advises those students who keep a car on campus, but live in the Miami area, to leave the car at home for the week.

The day of the debate, University Station will be closed; Hurry ‘Cane routes will be altered as well, though the number of buses should not be reduced. Also, certain streets will be closed to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

Students may want to unlock their bikes or dust off their rollerblades to avoid longer walks to class, perhaps as a substitute workout since the Wellness Center will be closed Monday through Thursday of debate week.

While some, like Nicolas Guillemet, senior, see the debate as a “good promotion for UM,” others have expressed indignation towards the event, noting that UM will suffer the burden as host, but only a select few students will be allowed to experience the debate firsthand.

Still, administration believes that these minimal inconveniences are a small price to pay for the publicity the Presidential Debate will bring the university, not to mention the unique experience that hosting such an event provides.

Despite the many changes and uncertainties that are surfacing, however, one thing is for sure: on Thursday, Sept. 30, all classes will be held as scheduled.

>> For more information and updates, visit www.miami.edu/debate04.

Courtney Patton can be contacted at c.patton@umiami.edu.

Spiritual leader to visit UM

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“I am just a simple Buddhist monk – no more, nor less,” the 14th Dalai Lama has been known to claim, but some members of the University of Miami community might argue that His Holiness’s visit to UM is even more exciting than the upcoming presidential debate, even if it is one of the events leading up to the debate.

Why all of the enthusiasm?

“This is a visit from a head of state-just as if the Prime Minister of Great Britain or the Premier of France was visiting,” said Dr. Stephen Sapp, chairperson of the Religious Studies Department and moderator for the Dalai Lama’s question and answer session. “This is why our Secret Service needs to be there for security.”

The Dalai Lama is also the spiritual leader for the Tibetan people, Sapp said. “Dalai Lama” translates to Ocean of Wisdom.

“This is awesome. How many people have this opportunity?” Debbie Chavez, vice president of Student Society for Religions and Cultures [SSRC], said. “Judging from the line at Ticketmaster, it seems that everyone is excited to meet such a high ranking person.”

According to the Tibetan Government in Exile website, the current Dalai Lama is the reincarnation of his predecessor, the 13th Dalai Lama, and thus the incarnation of the Buddha. Tibetan Buddhist faith follows that the Buddha chose to reincarnate to serve the people.

“He is very selfless,” Sapp said. “He clearly has a very deep connection to people that gives him a sense of calm and compassion, which people will feel.”

According to the website, China invaded Tibet in November of 1950.

“Communist China was so antithetical to religion that after trying to work with the Chinese government and not being able to, the Dalai Lama was forced to flee into exile,” Sapp said.

Some 80,000 Tibetan refugees followed him to Dharamsala, India, according to the website. It is currently the site of the Tibetan Government-in-exile.

“Ever since, he has traveled around the world to speak on [issues such as] peace and the freedom of Tibet,” Sapp said.

Since 1967, His Holiness has visited some 46 countries. He has met with presidents, prime ministers and crowned rulers of major nations. He has held dialogues with the religious heads and well-known scientists.

The Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for “advocat[ing] peaceful solutions based upon tolerance and mutual respect in order to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of his people.”

Tibetans sometimes refer to the Dalai Lama simply as Kundun – The Presence.

“I feel like I’m going to walk [into the Convocation Center] and feel peaceful, like walking into a church,” Leslie Chavez, president of SSRC, said. “With the stress of college, you don’t really get to experience such peace.”

The Dalai Lama will lecture on “A Human Approach to World Peace” Sept. 22 at 3 p.m. in the Convocation Center. He will also receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters in recognition of his stature as a spiritual leader of the Tibetan people and as a world visionary for peace and the environment.

Reeva Oza can be contacted at r.oza@umiami.edu.

Calendar

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TODAY
Today is the last day to audition for Quantum Entertainment’s fall musical, “Hair,” from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the UC Ballrooms. For more information, go to www.gotoquantum.com or email umquantum@yahoo.com.

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, come down to the Hecht/Stanford Bridge from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. for the “Fiesta en la Calle” block party BBQ for food, dominoes, and dancing.

The UM Triathlon Club will be holding their first general meeting in the Wellness Center classrooms. Please attend if you are interested in swimming, biking, or running. For more information, contact Lauren Liebowitz at 305-299-3155.

MONDAY
Today, the University of Miami Libraries will be having a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30 p.m. to celebrate the opening of the Residential Colleges Collection of books and videos. For more information, contact Jane Schillie, Director of Education, Outreach and Research Services, at 305-284-4039.

Come by the Cosford Cinema at 7:30 p.m. for a screening of the Academy Award-nominated documentary The War Room, a behind-the-scenes look at Bill Clinton’s 1992 presidential campaign. Admission is free for all UM students, faculty and staff.

TUESDAY
Pass by the Rock or the UC Breezeway from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to support your candidates in the UM Mock Elections! Vote for Bush, Kerry, Nader, or write in your own candidate. For more information, visit www.councilfordemocracy.org.

Presented as part of the Paul Peck Presidential Series organized by the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and the School of Communication, a panel of award-winning White House photographers recount their most memorable assignments and discuss political history as seen through the lens of a camera at the Cosford Cinema at 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Table Tennis Club will be holding it’s first meeting at 1 p.m. in the UC I-lounge. For more information, contact Yanell Aitken at 954-895-8206 or at y.aitken@umiami.edu.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
Come by the Cosford Cinema at 7:30 p.m. for a screening of Mike Nichols’s Primary Colors, starring John Travolta and Emma Thompson. Admission is free for all UM students, faculty, and staff.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
Come by the Cosford Cinema at 4 p.m. for “A Personal Conversation with
Ralph Nader,” where the Reform Party’s presidential candidate will answer all f your questions. Free food and drink will be served. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity!

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

News Briefs

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UM celebrates American democracy and diversity

As part of University of Miami’s Celebrating American Democracy and Diversity, the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre on campus is hosting Tintypes, a play of pre-World War I America, celebrating the progress of our nation in the lively speech and music of the day, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 9, 2004. Tintypes takes the audience back to a world just introduced to automobiles, electricity, and telephones incorporating the high-spirited songs that were popular from 1890 to 1917, including “Hello, Ma Baby” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag”. Performance dates are Sept. 29, Oct. 1 to 2 and Oct. 6 to 9 at 8 p.m.; matinees are on Oct. 2 and 9 at 2 p.m. Regular admission is $16 for weeknights and matinees; $18 for Friday and Saturday nights. Seniors, Students, UM Faculty, Staff and Alumni Admission is $14 for weeknights and matinees; $16 for Friday and Saturday nights. UM Student Admission is $8 for weeknights and matinees; $10 for Friday and Saturday nights. Parking is free and plentiful adjacent to the theatre. For more information, call the box office Monday through Friday between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. at 305-284-3355 or log on to www.miami.edu/ring.

USF Football players’ loot valued at $3,615

(U-WIRE) TAMPA, Fla.– Three University of South Florida freshmen football players accused of theft in the university residence halls could face felony larceny charges.
Linebackers C.J. Hunnicutt and Brouce Mompremier and defensive end Josh Julmiste are under investigation by the State Attorney’s Office, according to Lt. Mike Klingebiel of the University Police. The person whose items were stolen was another football player, a source said, but the identity of the player could not be confirmed.
According to a police report, University Patrol was called on Aug. 30 to investigate “unlawful entry and (the) theft of a Play Station 2, television, VCR, computer, digital video discs, videos and miscellaneous items” valued at $3,615. In Florida, grand larceny, which is a felony, is a theft of more than $300. The report said the items were stolen sometime between 10:30 on the night of Aug. 12 and 5:30 on the afternoon of Aug. 30. Some of the property has been recovered, the report said. It also said that charges were filed with the State Attorney’s Office and the students were referred to Student Affairs.
USF coach Jim Leavitt said the players are not active members of the team at this time.
“They have violated team rules. Things have been done that they messed up on,” Leavitt said. “We’re trying to decide right now whether they’ll even be with us or not. Right now they are not with us.”

UM has been chosen as one of only five universities to participate in the CLASS PROJECT Campus Life in America Survey. This prestigious research project of Princeton University is the first of its kind. Check your email for instructions on how to participate in the survey.

Toppel offers a variety of workshops to help you succeed in your job search. All workshops take place in the Toppel Career Library and include job searching on the web, power networking, and resume/cover letter writing. Please visit www.miami.edu/toppel/programs for more information.

Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off with a bang

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iva la cultura hispana! For an entire month, students will be treated to Latino culture through Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM). The HHM committee has planned out an entire calendar of events, ranging from block party barbeques to comedy nights and galas, all underlining the theme of this year’s HHM- Hispanics United: Many Cultures, One Voice.

“Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of contributions from the Latin community, the celebration of Hispanic students here at UM, and it’s a way for everyone to take part in the month-long celebration of Latin culture and pride,” said Alex Ortiz, senior and HHM chair.

To kick off the celebrations, the committee invited Jorge Ramos, University of Miami alumnus and renowned news anchor for Univision, to speak at the opening ceremonies.

“I think that it’s very important that we get a different perspective of what’s going on in the country,” Ramos said. “Latinos, we tend to see things, sometimes, in a different way, and that is what I wanted to share with [students].”

“The main reason I came was to see Jorge Ramos because he’s one of the best news anchors right now, and that’s what I want to do,” said Irma Murilla, a freshman eager to have Ramos autograph her copy of one of his many famous books. “I really wanted to know more about what he thinks, especially about the elections.”

Tables lined with authentic Hispanic finger foods such as Cuban pastries provided students with a unique culinary experience. Live music from the band Grupo Prisma filled the I-lounge with the flavorful sounds of salsa, giving students a chance to show off their dance moves.

“I saw this as an opportunity to get to know more people in the Hispanic community and kind of an outreach to make the UM community aware of Hispanics,” Yadelene Riesgo, senior, said. “[The turnout’s] been great. People have been showing up and it’s an amazement to see so many people come out and support us in such a way.”

Student organizations such as FEC and Salsa Craze, and Greek organizations such as Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. set up tables throughout the I-lounge, giving students an opportunity to see what’s out there to cater to unique Hispanic cultures.

“There are so many different diversities in the Hispanic-Latino label that many people like to generalize,” said Aileen Sanchez, junior and secretary for FEC. “But events like this expose the different cultures and it’s a great way to get people to understand.”

Upcoming events include “Fiesta en la Calle” Block Party barbeque, a ‘Cane’s Night Live “Belly Bust,” Latino Greek Unity Jam, and “Latino Fest.”

“Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of all Latino cultures,” said Evelina Solis, new assistant director of Multicultural Student Affairs. “We’re all coming together to display the different cultures. It’s an educational event for all the students to participate.”

HHM runs through Oct. 15.

Christine Dominguez can be contacted at c.dominguez3@umiami.edu.

Upcoming Events

EXCESS

Anime:
Ghost in a Shell appears in theaters today. The anime film is set in the year 2029 and is strikingly similar to The Matrix. The Japanical film is said to be rather intriguing.

Tip:
For those of you getting tired of Chartwell’s and stir-fry, hit up the Big Cheese on 67th and US-1. Portions are made for two, garlic knots come in excess and they deliver right to your door.
(305) 662-6855

Proof we ain’t lying:
So Miami played host to new magazine Sway as it had its launch party in SoBe on Sept. 12; check out cool pics from www.cooljunkie.com. By the way, the party was at Amika- told ya that place is heating up.

Unbelievable:
Hilton heiress Paris was featured on television the other day, singing…that’s right, singing. The new blonde Barbie of the music biz apparently has a pretty decent voice.

CD Review OLD 97s

After a four year hiatus, the Old 97s are back with their sixth record. Drag It Up sees the band in a much more mellow, introspective mood then their previous poppy albums. The Old 97s are a pop rock band from the south with a bit of a country hint.

They kick things off with the relatively upbeat track “Won’t Be Home,” which tells the story of a rough break-up punctuated by the lines, “I’m pulling off the road, I’m opening the door. I’m giving you the pavement, I’m telling you what for. You’re no more than a thought and you’re getting smaller in my rearview mirror.”

At times this album gets a bit too mellow. The track “Blinding Sheets of Rain,” with lyrics like “I love you lost its meaning to shipwrecked fools like me,” is a standard tale of lost love that just sort of drags on.

After a lull in the middle of the album of some well-written (but painfully slow) songs, the vengeful track “New Kid” gives this CD new life. This song is the story of a former new kid who’s bitter at his replacement. “I’m gonna toil away until my judgement day, I will be rewarded for the good that I did.”

“Adelaide” is one of the most solemn but interesting tracks on the album. The lyrics repeatedly appeal to heaven for help with the problems of love and different trials of life. The ironic tale of “Friends Forever,” is about a normal kid who didn’t fit a stereotype, but found out life outside of high school was much different and better.

This is a personal and honest album that will connect to anyone who hasn’t led a picture perfect life.

Matt Dingerdissen can be contacted at m.dingerdissen@umiami.edu.

CD Review TOBY LIGHTMAN

Toby Lightman is a rising singer whose brand new cover of Mary J. Blige’s “Real Love” and sultry vocals are taking over the radio airwaves. Releasing her CD with 12 solid tracks, Little Things is a sexy, soulful R&B album backed by rich themes. Using drums, strings, piano, and guitar, the beats range from upbeat and on the border pop to slow and sensual. Lightman’s raw, edgy voice garbles about love, fear and rejection; themes that although constantly rehashed, still seem fresh with airiness at every note.

Somewhat similar to songstress Joss Stone, Toby’s music is provocative to the mind, to the soul and even to sexuality. Infectious, the soothing melodious tunes evoke a sense of determined femininity, a trait that Toby has obviously mastered through her music. Not completely full of deep ballads and murmurings of longing, tracks such as “Devils and Angels” and “Leave It Inside” are both powerful and animated enough to induce some sexy dance moves.

Whether Toby Lightman’s Little Things takes residence in the car, the CD player or the iPod, her invigorating songs will leave anyone empowered. As the lyrics state, “Your songs don’t leave my mind…” neither will Lightman’s after a few listens.

Joanna Davila can be contacted at j.davila1@umiami.edu.