Whether you’re blue or red, it’s probable that you’re so tired of election coverage that you can’t really remember a time without it. So, let’s get together in the Monroe Library and watch the last throes of the election wind down on election night (Tuesday, November 4th, as if you could have avoided knowing that for the past two years). We’ll be broadcasting results at the Common Grounds coffee cafe, in the Living Room, and in all the study rooms from 7pm until midnight. Sareeca and I will be here hanging onto every percentage point in every precinct that’s announced. See you tomorrow night!

–Beth

The presidential debates will be televised in the Monroe Library in the following locations: the first floor coffee area, the Living Room, the second and third floor group study rooms, and seminar room #1 on the mezzanine.

The first presidential debate begins this Friday, September 26 at 8pm. The library will remain open till 10pm this Friday, to allow members of the Loyola community to view the debate in its entirety.

Here is the full schedule. All debates begin at 8pm Central Time:

First presidential debate: Friday, September 26 (from the University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS)

Vice presidential debate: Thursday, October 2 (from Washington University, St. Louis, MO)

Second presidential debate: Tuesday, October 7 (from Belmont University, Nashville, TN)

Third presidential debate: Wednesday, October 15 (from Hofstra University, Hempstead NY)

An anecdote: I spelled ‘presidential’ as ‘presedential’ the first time I wrote it, realized it was wrong, and then proceeded to misspell it the other seven times I wrote it. Also, I tried very, very hard to come up with a clever title for this post, and couldn’t. If you have an awesome one, please leave it in the comments section, and I’ll do some renaming.

At the LC, we’re suckers for a sappy human interest story, especially if it has anything at all to do with the Olympic games. This year, the U.S. flag bearer for the opening ceremonies is Lopez Lomong, a Sudanese refugee who at the age of six was abducted in order to become a child soldier. Lomong will be competing in the 1500 meter race.

Learn more about Lomong’s harrowing life story through newspaper reports by searching his name in our LexisNexis database. A great tutorial on using the system is available on the left when you first enter the database.

Does Lomong’s story inspire you to learn more about the plight of the Darfur region? Then check out one of these books from the library.

If you are ready to put away the Kleenex, try a lighter subject. Why not find out what other athletic standouts in prestigious events such as badminton and handball are carrying their respective countries’ flags?

The IOC’s Official List

-aimee and beth