Two razor-thin presidential elections, a controversial war and questionable domestic policies have sent many people to either side of the political room, creating the most divisive time for the United States since the 1960s.In tumultuous times, it's only natural for people to speak out - either for or against an issue.

"Artists, be they painters, actors, writers or musicians, have a responsibility to reflect and interpret the world around them," said DJ Shadow, a popular, underground, San Francisco musician, in a statement on www.zackdelarocha.com.

With weekend ticket sales making "V for Vendetta" the country's No. 1 film, it seems America's love of comic-book movies has gone beyond mainstream characters and into what is traditionally considered comic-book-fanboy territory.The film is based on a series originally featured in a British comic anthology in the early 1980s, which was later published as its own comic book and later compiled by DC Comic's Vertigo as a graphic novel.

Another year at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships means a new mindset for TCU men's diver Kelly McCain, who will compete today in the NCAA Championship Meet.McCain, a senior, made history last...

The disappointing TCU men's basketball season came to an end a few days before Spring Break. And it is obvious Danny Morrison, TCU's Athletic Director, must fire Neil Dougherty, TCU's head basketball coach. The future of the program hangs in the balance.Dougherty, a lifelong assistant coach at Kansas, Vanderbilt and Cameron University, was hired in 2002 to win games, lead the Frogs to the top of the conference, land recruits who can be developed to fit and progress in the TCU system and recruit talent similar to the talent he allegedly recruited at Kansas and Vanderbilt.

College graduates will walk across the stage in May, confident their education has provided them with the knowledge and wisdom needed to be successful in the future; however, there is one area in which young professionals are less savvy - consumer credit.Bud Hibbs, a consumer credit expert in Fort Worth, says the biggest problem facing recent college graduates and young people in general is ignorance.

This year I devoted the better part of my Spring Break to Austin's colossal South by Southwest music conference.In past spring breaks, I've returned home to spend time relaxing with family and friends. This year, however, my experience at SXSW left me feeling more exhausted than rested.

Held annually, SXSW features more than 1,400 bands over four consecutive nights at 60-plus venues, all within about six blocks of one another.

Ten minutes into English punkers Art Brut's set, I remembered why I voluntarily gave up my Spring Break to cover the South by Southwest music conference."Look at us! We formed a band!" declared Art Brut frontman Eddie Argos to a crowd huddled inside a tent in the Emo's parking lot .

In the midst of all the big names, it's easy to forget SXSW is really about uncovering that hidden gem of a band that played at the same time everyone else was fawning over the Arctic Monkeys or realizing their 16-year-old dream of seeing former-Smith Morrissey live.

Changing majors: Almost every college student considers it. Classes are getting too hard, too boring or maybe, in the process of exploring the different avenues required by the core curriculum, a student decides there is another course of study that is more interesting.

There's nothing wrong with changing majors. Who can really be sure of what to do at 18? The indecision around choosing a major can stretch the college experience from four years into five or even six.