It is safe to say that the Coen Brothers are two of the finest artists working in American cinema today. After all, they have brought us beloved films such as "Fargo," "The Big Lebowski" and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" But after two dismal comedies in a row-"Intolerable Cruelty" and "The Ladykillers"-it looked as thought Joel and Ethan had lost the plot entirely.

A new study published by Harvard University shows startling results regarding veterans and health care. The number of veterans without health insurance is now 1.8 million, the study concluded. The number of uninsured veterans has increased by 290,000 since President George W.

In football, helmets are the most important piece of protective equipment players have.Vincent R. Ferrara, a former Harvard University quarterback and graduate of Columbia University's medical and business schools, invented a new football helmet intended to be more safe.

The Student Government Association (SGA) passed a resolution on Tuesday urging the University to install bulletin boards in the main unispan and the Netherlands pedestrian bridge. Ashley Kowal, the SGA Ethics and Conduct chair, proposed the legislation to determine a way to place bulletin boards on the walls of the main unispan in order to allow clubs an extra opportunity to advertise events.

The University is giving faculty and administrators an opportunity to comment on local and national TV news without leaving campus. LiveLink is a new on-campus TV feed that allows the University community to listen and gain the perspective of University faculty who will discuss and tackle issues concerning business, politics, immigration, media, education, the arts and the economy.

Public safety implemented the first University-wide test of the Campus Alert Notification Network (CANN) during common hour on Wednesday as part of emergency awareness week. The test was intended to make sure an emergency message would be disseminated properly through several available media: text messages, telephone calls, a scroll bar across television stations, a siren and message broadcast over loudspeakers on campus, a pop-up message on all University computers, an announcement on the HofCast network and a message recorded on 463-1234 (the opposite of 463-SNOW).

Be prepared not to laugh, cry, or be intrigued by network television for some time. With the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike advancing into its second week, many celebrities have come out to show their support for writers across the country. WGA members picketing in hopes of a new, fair bargaining agreement.

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer abandoned his proposal to give driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants after facing withering opposition since he announced it in September. At a press conference in Washington on Wednesday, Spitzer announced his decision.

The Chronicle would like to amend certain facts printed in an article on Nov. 8 titled "39,000 runners compete in annual Marathon." The New York marathon was held on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007, not Wednesday, Nov. 1. In the caption of the photo showing the finishline, it read that the marathon was on Wednesday instead of Sunday as well.

University students didn't need a Brioni suit, Omega watch or Walther PPK to sit in an Aston Martin last Thursday. The British sports car was on display as part of the University's James Bond symposium, which included an interview with University alumnus and former Bond villain Robert Davi and screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz.

There is a particular group of people that plague this campus-the typical Long Island male. Whatever you want to call them- Dude Guys, Dude Bros, A-holes-they all mean the same thing: a greasy-looking kid with a popped collar, sandals and a haircut that looks like he got hit with a gallon of hair gel right after being electrocuted in a wind tunnel.

On an election day where voter turnout was light, Democrats struggled to hold onto their narrow 10-9 majority in the Nassau County Legislature, the spotlight focused on the tightest race of the night in the 14th District between Legis. Dave Mejias and Joseph Belesi.

It was a close race from start to finish between top women athletes Paula Radcliffe and Gete Wami in Wednesday's annual New York Marathon. Radcliffe, of Great Britain, maintained her lead throughout the course, with Wami, of Ethiopia, close behind. Radcliffe pulled ahead in the last few minutes of the race to cross the finish line 23 seconds before Wami.

For the 2007 ING New York Marathon, the safety and welfare of every athlete involved was the highest priority. Amateur radio experts (hams) positioned throughout the course played a key role in assuring a smooth event for each person involved. "We had a mission and we fulfilled that mission very well," said Steve Mendelsohn, the director of communications for the race.

As an EMT in the Uniondale Fire Department, I know all about decontaminating ambulances and infection control. The University's new methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus precaution posters placed in the bathrooms are great; they clearly state to wash your hands with soap.

What would Val do if she fell ill? When I descend into poor health at home, my parents tend to me by taking me to see the doctor. So what happens when you're on your own, surrounded by an arboretum on university grounds, and you're sick? The answer lies in the University's Wellness Center, which is run by Director Maureen Houck, as well as a registered nurse for emergencies, in Republic Hall.

After seemingly pitched battle, nothing really happened on Election Day 2007. The Nassau County Legislature didn't change hands, at least not yet, pending an absentee ballot count. The Suffolk County Legislature increased its majority. And both Hempstead and North Hempstead Town Supervisors survived, despite huge scandals involving their respective buildings departments.