xt7dnc5sbj5p https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7dnc5sbj5p/data/mets.xml The Kentucky Kernel Kentucky -- Lexington The Kentucky Kernel 2001-03-09 Earlier Titles: Idea of University of Kentucky, The State College Cadet newspapers English Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. The Kentucky Kernel The Kentucky Kernel, March 09, 2001 text The Kentucky Kernel, March 09, 2001 2001 2001-03-09 2020 true xt7dnc5sbj5p section xt7dnc5sbj5p LEFT 0F CENTER
Happenings
Nota
Psychic
for the least read issue of
the Kernel every year.
I offer things that I
never would have
guessed I would see.
Things not included in
this are a plethora of
tickets on cars around
campus, bars making
money hand over fist
and the Cats winning
the regular season SEC
title (I never doubted
you guys). Things that
are included in the list
of things I thought I
would never see:
Pitino living in the state of
Kentucky and having a
wardrobe that
resembles a candy
cane. Maybe he could
buy some of Bobby
Knight's old sweaters
and wash them in hot
water to shrink them.
It's just an idea. Then
again I am sure that
Pitino has plenty of
Boston's money to buy
stylish red, white and
black clothes to last a
lifetime.
A story about the
equestrian team
published in our
newspaper. Not sure
why they are never in
there, but I figured I
would never see one.
A place as cool as Varsity
Blue move into the
once great hangout
LCB. Don't know how
the first went under
and don't think the
current occupant will
Me voluntarily leaving
my job as rail editor.
The time is close at
hand for the reins to
be taken over by
others for good. I like
to pretend that the
reins are attached to
Clydesdales and they
are pulling the
Budweiser wagon. As
I jump off tossing the
reins to Jonathan Ray
and Jared Whalen, I
plan on taking a
couple of cases and
the Dalmatian with
me for the trip!
Not sure if it will happen,
but a pro basketball
team in Louisville.
Could you even
imagine? The pulse of
basketball would
come from the heart
of the sport that
would have to be the
Louisville, UK and IU
area. Just hope that
we don't get
basketballed out —
wait, that is
impossible. This is
basketball country.
-Ron Norton
rail-editor@hotmail.com
Have a fun, relaxing, but
safe Spring Break. It
leaving the country,
avoid the cops. It
staying in the
country, avoid the
cops. It's all fun and
games until someone
goes to jail or was
out of beer or pukes
or gets a really bad
hangover or a
speeding ticket or
maybe it's not all fun
and games. Have fun
anyway!
”1111i
Tumor f“ ew's
we a t b or
g
4.8 3.5
It's warming up. Why
don't you skip all your
classes next week, on us.
Kentucky
Kernel
VOL. 38106 ISSUE our
ESTABLISHED IN I892
INDEPENDENT SINCE I97I
News tips?
Call: 257-l9l5 or write:
kernelOpopukyedu
PRIDAYKENTUGKY
KERN EL
Splash
Mir space
station will
hit the
Pacific on
.- March 20 '2
Student climbs advertising ladder
At the top: ISC senior Shaneka Edwards
recognized for accomplishments in her field
By Kendra Livinggon
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Shaneka Edwards has been
singing commercial jingles since
she was three.
"I'd get on the coffee table and
sing,“ she said.
The singing must have paid
off. Today. Edwards, an integrat-
ed strategic cornrrrunications so
nior. was selected by the Ameri
can Advertising Federation as
one of the 25 most promising mi»
nority students who will enter
the job market,
“Thank you Jesus?" Edwards
remembers yelling as she heard
the news on her answering ma
chine. “I had a feeling that sortie-
thing good was going to happen.
Either. I would get [it] or at least
get on AAF honor roll.” she said.
Edwards has always excelled
in school. During her senior year
at Bryan Station High School. she
was the editor the school newspa-
JZEALLIl
per and a National Honor Society
member.
Edwards began college as a
prepharmacy major. but the heavy
science requirements swayed her
from the progrzun and into llK's in»
tegr‘ated strategic communication
program to study advertising.
“I love being creative and find-
ing different ways to execute." she
said.
The first in her family to grad-
uate froru college. earning a diplo-
ma will l)e a great accomplishment
for Edwards. And she said she
wouldn‘t be where she is today
without the support ofothers.
"A lot of people helped rrre anti
it is important for me to give back
to those people giving is a hu»
man quality that everyone should
have." Edwards said.
Not long ago. Edwards worked
two fullrtime jobs. carried a full
schedule of classes. anti balanced
an internship at the same time.
"It was hard work. but I did
it." she said.
Professors in her field of study
say she has what it takes to make
it in the workforce.
“She‘s got the determination
to be successful." said Rick Roth.
associate lS‘(‘ professor and advis-
er of UK's AAF chapter. “The hour
or and recognition couldn‘t have
happened to a better student or
person."
The AAF is a national organi
zation of advertising associates
dedicated to developing effective
advertising in the marketplace.
The Z") Most Promising Minor
ity Students prograrri was started
by the AAF five years ago to diver
sify the advertising work force
and reach out to multicultural
consumers.
“After five years and as our
honorees progress. we know this
program has enhanced the multi-
cultural perspective in the industry
of advertismg." said AAF President
and CE( ) Wally Snyder said in a UK
news release “These students offer
companies
promise ofeven better advertising.”
rich talent and the
Edwards and the Bl other
Beach breakups
Several students' relationships will be tested over Spring Break, much like the four couples on the recently concluded TV
show 'Temptation lsland.’ Some students said the temptation might have an impact on their relationships.
Something to think about: ‘Temptation Island'
puts Spring Break romance into perspective
By Katie Kramer
covrmsurmc firm
Watching the reality TV
show "Temptation Island" be-
came a weekly ritual in many
dorm rooms. apartments and
houses this year.
For sortie. the tempting theo-
ry behind the series put a new
spin on the idea of relationships
and how decisions can be tirade
to stay with a loved one.
The first series has finally
come to an end. with each rela-
tionship surviving the show‘s
controversial setup: Four cou’
ples came onto the island to test
their relationship by separating
and spending time with 26 single
men and women.
This tempting scenario has
left many students thinking
about their own love lives and
experiences. especially with
Spring Break beginning this
weekend.
A large percentage of stir-
dents could ptrt their own rela-
tionships to the test next week.
Will stepping outside of the rela-
tionship make things stronger
between you and your loved one
like it did for the couples on
“Temptation Island?"
"The singles on ‘Temptation
Island' were placed in that envi-
ronment solely to tempt the cou-
ples. To me. that does not seem
as real of a temptation as going
on Spring Break and meeting
someone who has not been paid
to break up a relationship." says
Kristi Johnson. a biology junior.
"I would have to say that should
I meet someone or should my
boyfriend meet someone. that
would create some serious prob
lems in our relationship."
Some students get restless
before break and find it easy to
be tempted,
”in the past I have found
myself in pretty shaky relation-
ships before the start of the
spring holiday. so I have usually
ended relationships because of
meeting someone new." says
Stephanie Martin.
sophomore.
"Those couples on ‘Temptae
tion lsland' amaze me that they
can last after making such
strong connections with other
people."
Others have a completely
different approach to the upconi
ing break.
"Being extremely single this
Spring Break. 1 think that l will
be looking to be the tempter."
says Josh Richardson. a psychol-
ogy freshman. “Watch out
ladies!"
Relationships are difficult
enough without the added tr0u~
bles of 26 sexy singles.
While some students fear
that the show may have an im-
pact on their relationship. some
in the psychology field do not
think there is anything to worry
about.
“I may be naive. but I do not
think that one show is going to
change the way people view
their relationships." says psy-
chology professor Ron Taylor.
“But the popularity of the reali-
ty shows says something about
the general public."
a biology
irrost promising minority students
were featured in the Feb 19 issue
Advertising
which cosponsors the program
with the AAF.
Edwards also enjoyed an all-
expensepaid trip to New \oik
(‘ity. one of the many benefits of
of
PHOTO FURNISHED
“ “ . i i L z ;:2 -. . 1
Building 1 it i r s
Shaneka Edwards, an integrated strategic communications senior, is one of the
American Advertising F ederation's top 25 most promising minority students.
the award.
The winners met recriutecs and
execuuvcs from leading advertising
agencies at the AAF's ”Building
Bridges t'orour l‘lillll‘i‘" luncheon.
Willi all Irv-r recent acclaitrr.
Edwards rerrrains llllllllllt‘
"I‘m just blessed." she said
Age magazine.
SIAIE NEWS
{ Feds will prosecute
in kidnapping case
Decision: Attorney General John Ashcroft
will determine what punishment to seek
ASSOC‘AYED FRESS
NEWARK. .‘y..l. The federal case against a New Jersey
rrran charged in the fatal kidnapping from Kentucky of a
British computer consultant who was dating his ex-girlfriend
will proceed first. .i prosecutor say s.
The federal charge of kidnapping resulting iir death was
levied ’l‘hursday against Gregory .1 Marcinski. about 10
months after Kentucky brought a similar charge. Both
charges allow prosecutors to consider whether to seek the
death penalty.
The federal case w ill go to trial first. in Trenton. NJ. but
it has not yet been deterrrrrned whether Kentucky will dismiss
its case. Assistant l.S. .\ttorney Treby Williams said.
A decision on whether to seek the death penalty will ulti-
mately be made by l'.S. Attorney General .John Ashcroft, she
said.
Marcinski. 2i. of Brick. has been held in Kentucky since
shortly after the body of Paul .leffrcy Gale was found last
spring near Marcinski's home
A message left for a prosecutor handling the Kentucky
case in Boone (‘ountyt Kyt. Linda Tally Smith was not imme-
diately returned.
Marcins‘ki‘s Kentucky lawyer. David Fessler. also did not
respond to a request for comment on Thursday.
The onecount indictment returned by a federal grand
jury in Trenton came a week after two acquaintances of
Marcinski implicated him in the fatal kidnapping while plead-
ing guilty to lesser federal charges. Both also agreed to testify
against Marcinski.
His former Brick housemate. Preston C. Foray Jr.. admit
ted that he helped his friend burn and bury Gale and later
helped dispose of the handcuffs used to bind the 28-year-old
Briton.
Another ()cean (‘ounty man. Robert A Norcia Ill. admit-
ted that he knew about the fatal kidnapping and helped con
ceal evidence of the crime by throwing the handcuffs off a
bridge.
At the time. Foray was living with Marcinski in Brick.
Gale‘s body was found in a swampy area of the township
about two miles from their residence. where they lived with
Marcinski‘s grandmother
Authorities believe Gale. a native of Birmingham. Eng
land. and a resident of Mount Laurel. N..J.. and Naples. Fla.
was strangled because he was dating Marcinski's former girl-
friend. Darla Guida.
According to investigators and court papers. Marcinski
drove his grandmother‘s Buick 800 miles on April 17 and
flashed bogus FBI credentials to get into Gale's roorrr at the
Holiday Inn in Florence. Ky.
Marcinski awakened Gale. handcuffed trim. and drove off.
Marcinski told Foray that he killed the man after driving for
about an hour. Foray told agents.
Foray. 22. faces up to five years in prison. a 32%|.in fine.
and an order of restitution. Norcia. 30. who opera'es a food
store across the street from where Foray and Marcinski lived.
faces up to three years in prison. a $250.le fine. and an order
of restitution.
Both are to be sentenced .lune 4 by [38. District Judge
Garrett E. Brown Jr. As part of their plea agreements. they
have agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. so they could face
substantially lower penalties
Foray remains under house arrest. with electronic moni-
toring. at his parents' residence in Point Pleasant on $1 mil
lion bail.
Norcia. owner of Rob‘s Top Notch. remains free on
$100000 bond
Gale worked in Mount Laurel as a computer programmer
for TRW Integrated Supply At the time of his death. he was
working for TRW in Kentucky as a consultant in the merger
of two pharmaceutical companies.
The Student Newspaper at the University of Kentucky, Lexington
2 I FIIDAY,IARCH9,2001 I mm
MW,
The Low-down
While
he’s most
interested
in politics
and
believes
that
being a
public
servant
would be
a great
honor in
a country
which
has given
him such
great
opportu-
nities, he
has com-
mitments
which
will take
him
throng
2004 ”
Arnold
s
spokeswoman, Jill
Eisenstadt. to
Reuters about
reports that the
53-year-old action
star is considering
running for gover-
nor of California.
llouse set to vote on Bush Income tax cut
WASHINGTON Trying to build momen-
tum for President Bush‘s $1.6 trillion tax relief
package. Republicans sought a quick House victo
i'y Thursday on a bill that would cut income taxes
for every American who pays them. While most
lieniocrats Were opposed. majority Republicans
predicted the Ill-year. $958 billion income tax cut
would pass and move to tlte Senate. where its fate
is less assured and little action is expected until
May. Bush. who has spent much of his young
presidency campaigning for tax cuts. said the pro-
jected $5.6 trillion budget surplus over the next
decade is more than ample to meet government
obligations. pay down public debt and still return
money to overburdened taxpayers.
Safety legislation awaits signature
WASHINGTON Legislation to repeal
brand new workplace safety regulations awaits
President Bush's signature after an intense lob-
bying campaign that included assurances to law-
makers uneasy about voting against organized
labor. The measure. which would revoke er-
gonomics rules issued late in the l‘liiiton admin-
istration. Secured remarkably swift passage. pro-
pelleti by business interests who criticized the
cost anti scope of the regulations and a tiesire by
the congressional GOP leadership to give Bush
his first legislative victory. The president has sig
iialed he would sign the bill. The House passed
the legislation Wednesday night on a largely par
ty line vote of 223-206. less than 24 hours after
Senate passage. dcspite a vigorous light from De
mocrats and labor.
Sharon will meet Arafat if violence stops
JERUSALEM 7 ()n his first full day in office.
Israeli Prime .Minister Ariel Sharon said Thurs.
tlay he would be willing to meet Palestinian
leader Yassei‘ Arafat for negotiations ifthe cur
rent violence ends. A smiling. relaxed Sharon
stood shoulder-iti~slioulder with outgoing premier
Ebud Barak at a brief ceremony marking the ban-
dover of power a month after Sharon won a land-
slide election victory. “We‘re facing a period
that's not going to be easy." Sharon said. “There
are security risks and diplomatic issues which
arc far front simple,"
Lawyers challenge collision theory
PEARL HARBOR. Hawaii Lawyers for two
commanding officers aboard the USS (lreeneville
challenged the Navy's theory that safety was coni-
promised when the submarines schedule became
rushed the tlay it fatally collided with a Japanese
boat. Time and again. the lawyers put the admiral
who oversaw the Navy‘s preliminary investiga-
tion on the spot Wednesday about inforitiatimi ei-
ther left out of his report or conclusions that may
not have been correct. Rear Adm. (‘harles (lrif
fiths Jr. acknowledged he had only a couple of
days to complete his investigation anti suggested
Melanie
Cfdshohnaka
Swtvsnlce.
toldRouterson
Thusdayshe
doesnotplanto
keepworklng
withthesrttain
pop phenomenon
and will instead
focus on her
btrgeonlng solo
career. Her deci-
sion could effec-
tively mark the
death knell for a
mega-selling act
whose rallying
cry of "Girl
Power!" rever-
berated around
the world when
they burst on
the scene six
years ago.
in , .
HOUSTON GETS
OFF: A judge
has dismissed a
marijuana pos-
session charge
against singer
Whitney
Houston, leaving
her with a clean
record in
Hawaii. prosecu-
tors said.
District Judge
Joseph Florendo
Jr. dismissed
the petty misde-
meanor marijua-
na possession
charge Monday
after a sub-
stance abuse
assessment was
filed on her
behalf, said
Deputy
Prosecutor
Melvin Fujino.
the three admirals overseeing the inquiry would
have to delve deeper. Attorneys for Cmdr. Scott
Waddle and Lt. Cmdr. Gerald Pfeifer questioned
Griffiths‘ assumption that the senior officers
rushed their safety precautions because 16 civil-
ian guests had delayed the subs plans.
IRA to renew disarmament talks
DUBLIN. Ireland n The Irish Republican
Army announced Thursday it intends to resume
talks with Northern Ireland‘s disarmament com-
missioners. raising hopes that a stalled peace
process could soon move forward. The announce-
ment set no date for the renewed dialogue. The
IRA. which was supposed to disarm gradually un—
tier terms of Northern Ireland's 1998 peace ac-
cord. lias yet to scrap any weapons. The outlawed
group's lead negotiator last met the disarmament
commission 13 months ago. Thursday‘s apparent
shift in a statement to Irish media came hours be-
fore the British anti Irish prime ministers. Tony
Blair anti Bertie Ahern. at Hillsborough. North-
ern Ireland. had scheduled a fresh round of nego-
tiations with local parties that support the 1998
accord.
Labor leaders say more women at work
GENEVA Women are making up an in-
creasing percentage of the world‘s workers. but
many still fiiitl it impossible to break into top
jobs. the International Labor Organization said
'I‘liursday. In a report to mark International
Woiiieii‘s Day. the organization said women
who make tip around 40 percent of the global
work force face a "glass ceiling" when they try
to get to the top in business anti politics. World-
wide. women hold 1 to 3 percent of top executive
jobs. Eight countries have female heatls of state
while less than H percent ofthe world’s lawmak-
ers anti 1 percent of labor union leaders are fe»
male. said the study. an l8»page summary of a
book to be published later this year. Even women
who do get to the top on average earti less than
men. the study said.
0.J. asks Court to nullify judgment
L()S ANGELES , t).J. Simpson has report-
etily asked the (‘alifornia Supreme Court to over-
turn a $33.5 million wrongful-death judgment
against him for the killings of his ex-wife anti her
friend. Simpson alleges in documents filed in Los
Angeles that he was denied his constitutional
right to a fair trial. the former football star's
friend. Ilenry .loliiistm. toltl the Los Angeles
Times A message left after business hours
Wednesday for Simpson attorney Daniel P.
Leonard was not immediately returned. A civil
jury found Simpson liable for the June 12. 1994.
slayings of his ex-wife. Nicole Brown Simpson.
anti her friend. Ron Goldman. Jurors ordered
him to pay $33.5 million to the victims‘ families.
Simpson was acquitted in criminal court.
Compiled from wire reports.
W
Gov. Patton passes
black-lung torch
to Republicans
FRANKFORT 7 Gov. Paul Patton conceded defeat Thursday
for his black-lung legislation and placed the burden on Senate Re-
publicans to craft a proposal acceptable to coal miners.
Patton said he would step aside from those negotiations. hav-
ing failed for a second year to get his black-lung proposal through
the General Assembly. Patton said he would convene a special
legislative session if Senate Republicans and labor leaders agreed
on a substitute.
“The responsibility now lays with them." Patton said of Sen-
ate Republicans. “And I am hoping that they will accept that re-
sponsibility. and having rejected my suggestion come tip with
their own."
Senate President David Williams struck a conciliatory tone
as well. Williams praised the governor‘s offer and expressed a
willingness to try to fashion a proposal balancing the needs of ail-
ing miners while not saddling the coal industry with burdensome
costs.
“We need to have some testimony that allows us to establish
proper criteria to allow people to get benefits that they deserve,“
said Williams. R-Burkesville. "There does seem to be a strong
opinion that many people who should be receiving benefits aren't
receiving benefits."
Williams said Patton's bill arrived in the Senate too late for
iii-depth review to determine the proposal's impact.
Patton's bill would have made it easier for coal miners to ob-
tain workers' compensation benefits for black lung. It passed the
Democratic—controlled House by a wide margin but stalled in a
Senate committee.
Sen. Katie Stine. the committee chairwoman, refused to allow
a vote. Since then. Republican leaders have worked diligently to
keep their members united against possible Democratic efforts to
pull the bill from committee. Democrats were poised for such an
effort Tuesday. but Williams abruptly adjourned the Senate be
fore they could make the motion.
Patton said Thursday he hoped Republican leaders and min-
ers' representatives could reach quick agreement. Williams said
the issue could be addressed in two or three months and called for
bipartisan cooperation.
Patton admits he made a mistake by championing changes
made to the black-lung benefit program four years ago. Labor
leaders say those changes made it virtually impossible for coal
miners to win black-lung claims.
Patton said that miners continue to contract black~lung
disease. and the lack of benefits will keep them in the mines
until they become tethered to oxygen bottles and eventually
die prematurely.
- The Dave Matthews review appearing in Monday‘s paper
was written by Ben Adkins.
- The “What if This Was Your Backyard" forum on Wednes-
day night was sponsored by the Green Thumb Environmental
Club.
To report an error call The Kentucky Kernel at 25 74.915.
llEADSllB
Mir set to plunge into Pacific
Scheduled demise: Soviet officials make
March 20 date to dump Mir space station
AESCL A'EG PRESS
.\I( )S(‘()W
Riissian space officials on \‘I'ediiesday set March
3o for dumping the Mir space station. saying they want to wait un
til the craft drifts closer to Earth before giving it a final shove it»
ward a fiery plunge into the Pacific Ocean
They warned that the date for Mir‘s long-delayed demise may
still vary depending on solar activity. which expands the atmos
phere and creates friction with the 13»yeai‘ old station.
Space officials had previously said they would start steps to
prepare for Mir's controlled descent after its orbit drops to 1.3.3
miles 't the end of this week But Ileputy Mission l‘ontrol chief
\’il\'toi' Blagoy said Wednesday that space engineers decided to let
the 'vl‘llllt‘l' descend to 1552 miles before discarding it.
"Mir‘s (lerot‘liit is tentatively set for March 30." Blagoy said at
i new s conference
Mission Control spokesman Valery l.yiirlin said that con-
n‘ollers want Mir to move closer to ensure that rhey have as much
fuel as possible for the final push.
“The closer to Earth the station coins-s. thi- less fuel is need»
ed." he said.
The trickiest part it the preparations will include bringing
Mir. which is now in 'l slim rolling and rotating motion. to a
steady position in orbzt 'l he process will ““llllll‘t' fut-l and a lot of
electric power. anti Mir s batteries are old and unstable
Mission (‘ontrol lost contact with Mir for :11! hours in Decent»
her because of a siidtzen power loss Space officials have since tried
to minimize power voiisiittiptioii by switching off most of the sta
iion‘s equipment
'l‘he-x have also allowed Mir to roll. because
‘kceping it stable wiuld use limited fuel reserves.
Blagoy said tliat Mission (‘ontrol would stabilize Mir just one
day before the tii.nipitig. and played down tears of a power outage
or a computer glztch resulting in a chaotic plunge.
“We have s--i-ii numerous voltage and commuiiications prob-
lems. but they nosed no danger to the station because we were al
ways able to m harm- the batteries." lllagoy sIlIlI
In case Mir s‘ skittish central computer fails. Mission (‘otitrol
can direct the descent using the computer oii the Progress cargo
ship docked .\ ith the Mir. Illagoy said
(in Mai. it go. the Progress will fire its engines twice during
two consec iiive orbits and then. seyeral hours later. fire again to
send the l 1.. ton \Iillitill hurtling toward the Pacific between All.»
tralia anti i‘hile The last maneuver w ill take place over Russia so
Mission ' ontrol can monitor it using Russian radar stations.
“Th station will descend over Russia. l'hina atiti then head
down i to the Pacific Ocean." Blagoy said He said it would take
about 1‘. minutes from the last engine push for the station's debris
to rear h the Earth‘s surface
Hiagov szllti Mission (‘ontrol has vast experienci- tliiinpiiig
spacecraft. because cargo ships are disposed of the same way
Most of Mir will burn up in the atmosphere. but some moo
Tragiiients with a total Weight of tip to 27 .3 ions are expected to
make it to the surface
. On Tuesday. Russian officials said they were negotiating a
€200 million insurance policy against any damage the orbiter
could cause when it plunges to Earth.
at, , .
raft-fits.
ILLUSTRATION FURNISHED
ill 3.; filly? 53(3
As the Russians prepare for the end of the Mir space station, work contin-
ues on the International Space Station.
What goes up
mawwmawmmm-m
moltboPaclficOcunsonwtlmobotwoonmwond
MarchZOJOenisalooliotlboWsde-orbltplli.
. Bonded ammo.
' overtlapan
it? miles
Aiming area
”It up
Wfizlhfledmsmmm
“mam-tum
of m. Colt-n. Sports.
Science fl hem (Jo...)
AP
l’ast reentry accidents have included the 1978 crash of a Sovi-
et satellite in northern (‘anada. scattering radioactive fragments
over the wilderness but causing no injuries
A year later. the unoccupied ITS. Skylab space station fell to
Earth after its orbit deteriorated faster than expected Ground con
trollers tried to aim it into the ocean. but debris came down on a
.lNIERllAIlQNALliIEllIi
Chinese officials
blame lone madman
for school explosion
ASSOCIATED PRESS
BEIJING Premier Zhu Rongji on Thursday blamed a lone
madman for an explosion that destroyed a schoolhouse. killing 41
students and teachers in rural southeastern China.
But the father of an 11-year-old son killed in the blast said offi-
cials were lying. Zhang Chenggen said the school in the village of
Fang Lin in J iangxi province hatl forced children to manufacture
fireworks to cover its budget and benefit teachers.
“Everybody knows it is caused by the fireworks. The govern—
ment is trying to cover the facts. Please do not believe them."
Zhang said by telephone.
Zhang said thousands of people hati demonstrated Wednesday
outside the school to demand punishment of those responsible.
Most of the tleatl were students. but sotne were teachers.
The disaster. which came the week of the annual meeting of
(‘hina‘s national legislature. is extremely embarrassing for Chi-
nese leaders. whose reputations have already suffered from a
string of fatal builtiing collapses anti fires.
Police experts were combing through the wreckage of the
school where the explosion Tuesday morning ripped down walls
and left a heap of books. bricks anti furniture. Exposed inner walls
had (‘hinese flags anti patriotic slogans still neatly pinned up.
Around 190 people were inside at the time of the blast. Wit-
nesses have said that it? of the deati were students and the other
four were teachers. though no official breakdown has been given.
Zhu denied widespread reports that fireworks manufacturing
in the school was to blame. Speaking to Hong Kong television. he
saitl the explosion was caused by a man who carried a bag of fire-
works into the school. Zhu said the man died in the explosion.
“According to initial investigation. he suffered from mental
problems. but we'll continue with the investigation." Zhu said.
"But it‘s ceitain that it’s not a case of the primary school rent—
ing otit space for the storage for the raw materials."
A government newspaper quoted a teacher saying a 65year
old man set off a bag of explosives on a student‘s desk during
class;
The teacher. whom the Liao Shen Evening Paper identified
only by the surname Deng. said the man refused repeated de-
mands to leave the classroom. then used a lighter to ignite a fuse.
"I shouted for the students to run. then heard a huge noise
anti I don‘t know anything else." Deng was quoted as saying.
Zhaiig said his son. Zhang Yu. and other third and fourth-
grade students hatl been required since 1998 to spend half the
school day assembling fireworks.
Part of the profits subsidized school expenses and the rest
Went to local officials. Zhang said. He said children were ordered
not to tell their parents about their work. and those who did were
punished by being forced to kneel on the classroom floor.
According to Zhang. an officials trying to calm angry rela-
tives in Wednesday's protest said the school principal and other
officials have been detained for questioning, The govemment
gave the family of each dead child $3.660 for funeral expenses.
Zhang said.
The town. about 180 miles southwest of Shanghai. is known
for its fireworks industry The official China Daily newspaper
said numerous fireworks factories operate in the school‘s area
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Tim Staley
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PHOTO FURNlSHED
Everyone's favorite leading hunIt Brad Pitt and media darling Julia Roberts, neither ol whom are hispanic, team up in the new movie The Mexican.
Get funky: In spite of a star-studded cast, new film's
twisted and confusing plot leaves audience exhausted
By Stacie Meihaus
STAFI CRITIC
"l‘in just here to regulate funkiness."
said James Gandolfini's character in The
Mexican .
If this is the case. than ()andolfini's
character should have been the director be
cause the real director. (lore \‘erbinskt.
creates a film full of funky tlaws.
The movie stars. Brad Pitt as Jerry and
Julia Roberts as Satnantha. are an on
again'off again couple, At the beginning
we learn that Jerry has to do otie last job
for his evil cronies and then he can get
married to Samantha and she can start her
dream job as a waitress singer in [as Ve»
gas. But Samantha says it is now or never
and throws .lerry out of the house.
Jerry is setit to Mexico to recover an
old gun. lie is sent into the deep recesses of
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Mexico. where he is told the history of the
gun tnany ditl'erent times in an interesting
old-film format.
.lerry continuously bungles his job, To
add incentive for him to work harder. the
powers that be abduct Samantha. Her ab-
ductor is Leroy. played by (landolfini. a
large man with the typical bald head and
goatee who is planning to take her to Las
Vegas so they can intercept the gun from
.lerry. Samantha is initially scared of him.
but then they begin to build a friendship.
especially when she finds out sonte of the
tnore interesting traits of Leroy.
The plot takes off in twisted directions.
It tries to become Mission Impossible-est]ue.
in which nobody is who they seem. There
are no clues or build-up to the unveiling of
the characters. and the audience tends to
have no idea that there is possibly more
than one organization trying to get at the
m-
we.
?
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new '4- l’tily' tly
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gun. Both Jerry and Samantha play pawns
to people that they believe they are able to
trust anti can‘t.
The music is an odd tnix. There is a
cowboy-like strain that echoes throughout
the film. Depending on your style. this can
be either funny or irksome.
This