Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 24, 1997)
&■■■■ The Battalion Debriefing Pagi Monday • February 24 ( I 1 'Nf 'errs s. Rony Angkriwan, The Battalion . I KatieMurray^imHillerandMeredithCarpen- Siqmnq DSiV ter sign Texas Aggie Dance Team posters Sauturday ^ ^ ■'I before the Aggie basketball game against Baylor. ► Nation Dropping crude oil costs lowers gas prices LOS ANGELES (AP) — Gasoline prices dropped more than a penny a gallon at the pump as retailers passed on the benefits of lower crude oil costs, an analyst said Sunday. The average price, including all grades and taxes, was Slightly over $1.29 per gallon on Friday, down 1.12 cents over two weeks, according to the Lundberg Survey of 10,000 stations nationwide. An exception to the price drop was in the West, where many cities saw a slight in crease. A price war in the region late last year made gasoline cheaper there than in the na tion overall, cutting profit margins and mak ing retailers slower to pass on new wholesale cuts, Trilby Lundberg said. The average price of gasoline nationwide was $1.2930 per gallon. At self-serve sta tions, prices were $1.2404 for regular un leaded, $1.3386 for mid-grade and $1.4210 for premium. Clinic sells marijuana illegally to patients PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An illegal clinic in downtown Portland is dispensing marijuana to sick and dying people, The Sunday Oregonian reported. More than 120 patients have found the Al ternative Health Center through word of mouth since it opened six weeks ago, the newspaper said. Patients who suffer from arthritis, multiple sclerosis, AIDS and other chronic diseases say they can buy an eighth of an ounce of marijua na for $20 to $50, depending on their income. ► This day in history ► Weather Today is Monday, Feb. 24th, the 55th day of 1997. There are 310 days left in the year. In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII issued a papal bull, or edict, outlining his calendar reforms. The Gregorian Cal endar is the calendar in general use today. In 1803, in its “Marbury vs. Madison” decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it was the final inter preter of constitutional issues. In 1821, Mexico declared its independence from Spain. In 1863, Arizona was organized as a territory. In 1868, the U.S. House of Representatives im peached President Johnson following his attempted dismissal of Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton; John son was later acquitted by the Senate. In 1903, the United States signed an agreement ac quiring a naval station at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. In 1920, a fledgling German political party held its first meeting of importance in Munich; it became known as the Nazi Party and its chief spokesman was Adolf Hitler. In 1942, the Voice of America went on the air for the first time. In 1945, American soldiers liberated the Philippine capital of Manila from Japanese control during World War II. In 1946, Argentinians elected Juan D. Peron their president. ► Today's birthdays Actor Abe Vigoda is 76. Actor Steven Hill (“Law and Order”) is 75. Movie composer Michel Legrand is 65. Georgia Governor Zell Miller is 65. Opera singer Rena ta Scotto is 62. Actor James Farentino is 59. Actor Bar ry Bostwick is 52. Actor Edward James Olmos is 50. Actress Helen Shaver is 46. Today Marijuana cookies are sold in $2 packs. A pot- filled brownie goes for $3. The clinic opened after California and Arizona voters in November approved the medical use of marijuana. Oregon’s lawmakers are consid ering bills to legalize marijuana for medical use. The federal government still considers the drug illegal, and scientists said further study is needed to assess its potential medical bene fits. Patients allowed the newspaper to visit the Portland clinic on the condition that the loca tion not be disclosed. They also have other reasons for secrecy. “We are concerned about vandalism, about our safety when it comes to people thinking that there are a lot of drugs here and a lot of money. And we are afraid of being accosted outside on the street," said Diane Densmore, once con victed of possessing the drug that she said helps her fight chronic back pain, irritable bow el disease, scoliosis, arthritis and depression. Secretary of State fires Taiwan representative WASHINGTON (AP) — On his last day in of fice, Secretary of State Warren Christopher dis missed James Wood, an Arkansas Democrat, as chief U.S. representative for Taiwan just 13 months after he took office. Wood said he was given 90 minutes to draft a resignation letter and, to emphasize the depth of his fall from favor, locks to his office were changed immediately afterward. On Sunday, an embittered, indignant Wood stood before reporters and pronounced his ca reer in ruins, partly the result of what he said were false accusations that he used his posi tion to solicit contributions for President Clin ton’s reflection campaign. Expanding on a statement he faxed to news organizations Saturday, Wood said he was vic timized by efforts to detail corruption and fraud that occurred at the office before he was named to head it. Beyond this “horrific taxpayer said, were “the worst sort of inhuma r t| scandals" in which visa-seeking Taff : | women were forced to have sex with a,] fice employee or have their visa requejj nied. He did not name the employee. Far from fulfilling his high hopes of ing U.S. interests on the island wheol office, Wood said he ‘woundupinarre] appetizing than a dog’s breakfast.' Wood’s official title was chairnw board and managing director of theAra Institute on Taiwan. The institute was lished in 1979 after the United States formal ties with the Nationalist China? ment on Taiwan and opened diploma:: tions with the People's Republic of ffir j Tonight The Empire strikes top ticket sales with openil LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Empires Back hit gold at the box office witha] mated $22.35 million in ticket sales:: biggest February opening ever, accorc’ industry estimates Sunday. The sequel’s big brother, Star its ticket sales drop 49 percentbd grossed $11 million, for a total ord $116 million in only four weeks ofrereAgl Star Wars had grossed $35.9mifaM re | opening weekend. % I Together, the first two installmenM "1 George Lucas’ space trilogy have pul j 0 ^ L l nearly $684 million domestically enough to pay for a Death Star—intte leases and re-releases, accordingtoi mates from Exhibitor Relations Co.Inc. The films were released in 1971 teir| 1980, respectively. Like StarWars,! released Empire was buffed with up|>sB 0 J special effects and a sprinkling o : I’m [ scenes. ten! den| selv cou| Tomorrow Highs & Low j whj Today’s Expected I aw; 55°F car Partly cloudy with a chance of rain. Cloudy and cool. Cloudy with a chance of rain. Tonight’s Expectti. per] 45°F H stel Tomorrow’s Exps: High an l 57°F Tomorrow Nim Expected Low 48°F tht Information courtesy of TAM. 1 excel Excellence uniting Culture, Education, and Leadership & THE DEPARTMENT OF MULTICULTURAL SERVICES Present College Night ‘97 Come meet and talk to representatives of Texas A&M’s academic colleges. College Night is a program geared towards Freshmen and Sophomores to learn about the varied degree programs at Texas A&M University. REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED. When: Tuesday, Feb. 25,1997 Where: 601 Rudder Time: 5:30 p.m. For more information contact the ExCEL„ office through the Dept, of Multicultural Ser-| vices at 845-4551.1 The last thing you’d expect to find when you go shopping is an amazing career opportunity, right? Wrong! That’s exactly what people find at Walgreens, because we provide them with the potential to climb the ladder of supcess to extraordinary heights. If you're driven to make an ascent all the way to the top, you may be in for a lucrative future. MANAGEMENT TRAINEES Graduating Seniors See Us On Campus, Monday, March 3. Also interviewing Juniors for Retail Internships on Tuesday, March 4. For an interview sign up at the Career Placement Office. www.mfalgreens.cam You will have the opportunity to step up and manage a $5 million Walgreens store within 3-5 years! Retail experience and/or college degree preferred. Take the first step—and join us! You’ll enjoy an ex cellent starting salary and comprehensive benefits. If unable to attend, send a re sume to: Walgreens District Office, 8110 Kempwood Dr., Houston, TX 77055. Fax: 713-973-5859. Equal Opportunity Employer * ECHO PRESENTS ' A FULL LENGTH MCAT MARCH 1,1997 8:00am - 3:30pm Blocker 163 Tickets $10 and available at the OPS A office Room 205 Academic Building 1CC7F Texas A&M Chapter of OKA present iggjf rv wch t/ s/c ^(\© TOUR Jerry Jeff Walker Wednesday, February 26th Tickets $10 advance/$12 at door Available at: Cavender’s Boot City, Marooned Records and Bother’s UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT 76-GUMBY FASTEST FREEST DELIVERY DRIVE-THRU SPECJAL MEDIUM PIZZA 99 + T/ (50« per topping) 00 OFF BUFFET ANYTIME EAT THE BUFFET GET A BUCK “1 BIG ASSl GUMBYf " 20’ 1 TOPPING ONLY ! $9.99! i p ■ Limited time onl, CHECK OUT THE NEW LOCATION AT 107 DOMINIK DINE-IN CARRYOUT SALAD BAR The Battalion Rachel Barry, Editor in Chief Michael Landauer, Executive Editor Wesley Poston, City Editor ! Tiffany Moore, Managing Editor Kristina Buffin, Sports Ed® Stew Milne, Visual Arts Editor Alex Walters, Opinion Editor j John LeBas, Aggielife Editor Chris Stevens, Web Editor Jody Holley, Night News Editor Tim Moog, Photo Editor Helen Clancy, Night News Editor Brad Graeber, Cartoon Ed® Staff Members Cmr Desk - Assistant Editor: Melissa Nunnery; Reporters: Rebecca Torrellas, Brandon Hausenfluck, Kevin Cummin?^ Oliveira, Erica Roy, Graham Harvey, JoAnneWhittemore, Jackie Vratil, Benjamin Cheng, Shikonya Curetonjoet Schlueter, Kathleen Strickland, Marissa Alanis & Shea Wiggins Aggielife Desk - Assistant Edtor: April Towery; Feature Writers: Aaron Meier, Shea Wiggins, Michael Schaub.Daplw Phillips, Brandon Truitt, Missy Price, Karen Janes & Melanie Benson; Page Designers: Artie Alvarado & DaptaePfr Sports Desk - Assistant Editor: Paul Mitchell; Writers: Jamie Burch, Sara Duesing, Jeremy Furtick, Matt Mitchell,Wt* Lyons, Dennis Ramirez, Chris Ferrell, Lara Zuehlke & Nicole Smith; Page Designer: Eric Proctor Opinion Desk - Assistant Editor: James Francis; Columnists: Jon Apgar, David Boldt, Mason JacksonJenne Hamlin,St® 8 Llano, Joshua Hill, Steve May, Heather Pace, Donny Ferguson, Kate Shropshire, Dave Johnston, Glenn JaniLGeitf Franklin, Robby Ray, Courtney Phillips, John Lemmons, Brandon Hausenfluck.Travis Chow & Jeremy Valdez Night News - Page Designers: Jennifer Bishop, Angie Rodgers, Joshua Miller, Lisa Wells & Michele Chancellor Copy Editors - Elisa Douglass, Missy Davila, Shea Wiggins, Gina Panzica & Matt Weber Visual Arts Desk - Assistant Photo Editor: Dave House; Photographers: Rony Angkriwan, Patrick James, Ryan RogeisS 1 Dunlap; Graphic Artists: Jennifer Maki, James Palmer & James Vineyard; Cartoonists: Michael Depot, Chad Mat" David Hoffman, John Lemons, Ed Goodwin & Quatro Oakley Webmasters - Dusty Moer, Sara Candy, David Friesenhahn & Daniel Holwerda News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in the Division of Student P-' cations, a unit of the Department of Journalism. News offices are in 013 Reed McDonald Building. Newsroom P h; 845-3313; Fax: 845-2647; E-mail: Batt@tamvml.tamu.edu; Internet Address: http://bat-web.tamu.edu. Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by The Battalion. For camp*! cal and national display advertising, call 845-2696. For classified advertising, call 845-0569. Advertising are in 015 Reed McDonald, and office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fax: 845-2678. Subscriptions: A part of the Student Services Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The K''] ion. Mail subscriptions are $20 per semester, $40 per school year and $50 per full year.To charge byVisa.Mastt Card, Discover or American Express, call 845-2611. The Bahalion (ISSN #1055-4726) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semestesi' Monday through Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods) atTexaste 1 ' University. Second class postage paid at College Station,TX 77840. Postmaster: Send address changes to Die® talion,015 Reed McDonald Building,Texas A&M University, College Station,TX 77843-1111.