&■■■■
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.