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NATION THE BATTALION Thursday, September London Paris Madrid Rome Prague n j [rp J $294 Athens $499 $347 Tel Aviv $686 $405 Tokyo $692 $432 Seoul $703 $491 Clark enters crowded presidential raa Retired general lacks elective experience, puts security fm Restrictions apply. Taxes not included. Fares are based on round-trip and subject to change. Railpasses and Budget Tours also available now! Call for details. By Ron Fournier THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ■b TRAVEL CUTS See the world your way Toll Free 1-800-592-CUTS (2887) usareservations@travelcuts.com www.travelcuts.com Want your group in the 2004 Aggieland yearbook? Follow these easy steps: 1. Download a contract from httpS/aggieland.tamu.edu or pick one up in room 004 Reed McDonald. 2. Fill out your contract and return it with payment to room 01 5 Reed McDonald no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30. Contracts received after Sept. 30 will be charged a $25 late fee. After Sept. 30, contracts will placed on a waiting list and your organization's picture will be included in the 2004 Aggieland only if space is available. Payment (student finance check, personal check, cash, credit card or Aggie Bucks) must accompany completed contracts. Make checks payable to TAMU Student Media. Questions? Call 845-2681. Aggieland 2004 Texas A&M University Yearbook 1 LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Retired Gen. Wesley Clark enters a wide-open presiden tial race with no experience in elective office and no his tory on domestic policy. But he offers Democrats one thing they crave: New hope of undercutting President George W. Bush’s wartime popularity. “The most important issue in America today is our secu rity at home and abroad. And that’s what Americans seek,” Clark said as he prepared to announce his _ candidacy at a boys and girls club here Wednesday. “I’m the best among any of the prospective candidates in terms of being able to work for America’s security.” Clark, 58, will become the 10th candidate in The most impor tant issue in Ameri ca today is our secu rity at home and abroad. a Democratic race that is up for grabs. Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean is the front-runner, but a solid majority of voters remain undecided and some party leaders believe the current field has underperformed. With polls showing Bush vulnerable because of a weak economy and violence in Iraq, Clark’s late entry offers Democrats a four-star answer to Bush’s potential advantage on national security. Clark’s resume is made to order — a Rhodes scholar, first in his 1966 class at West Point, White House fellow and head of the U.S. Southern Command and NATO commander during the 1999 campaign in Kosovo. But the retired general has never held political office — not even a student council election to his credit — and he has never been pressed to produce a domestic agenda. Just four months before the first votes are cast, he has no formal organiza tion in key states, little money and a patchwork staff culled from the political organi zations of former President Clinton and former Vice President A1 Gore. Wednesday’s address gives Clark a chance to highlight his support of abortion rights, affirmative PROFILE Clark joins race for White House Retired Gen. Wesley Clark, 58, entered a crowded presidential race Wednesday. Education Bachelor’s degree, West Point, N.Y., 1966; Oxford University, Rhodes scholar, 1966-68: Master's degree in military science, Army Command and General Staff College, 1975 Key experience ► Joint Chiefs: Director for Strategic Plans and Policy from 1994 to 1996 led military negotiations at Bosnian Peace Accords in Dayton, Ohio. ► Southern Command; Served as Commander-in-Chief of the U.S Southern Command in Panama from 1996 to 1997. ► NATO and European Command: Served as Supreme Allied Commander of NATO and Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. European Command from 1997 to 2000. ► Gulf War: Commanded the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Call SOURCE: Associated Press — Wesley Clark Presidential candidate action, better health care and tax cuts for the middle class. The latter position may put him at odds with Dean and Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri, rivals who want to repeal Bush’s tax cuts includ ing provisions that favor mid dle class taxpayers. The former general, a regu lar on cable news shows, has been critical of the Iraq war and Bush’s postwar efforts — positions that would put him alongside announced candi dates Dean, Sen. Bob Graham of Florida and Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio as the most vocal anti-war candidates. Clark has assembled a small but potent team of political veter ans who could open doors for a political novice seeking a mes sage, money and an organization. The advisers said they were developing an unconventional strategy that would attempt to capitalize on the Internet and Clark’s affinity for television to build momentum nano: wide. He has not decided he hard to campaign in tradition) early battlegrounds sucti t low'a, aides said, but ik quickly concluded that he car catch up to his competik- through traditional means; rest of the field has been Iowa and New Hamsphire months. Democrats in New Hampsfe Iowa and other early voting stti did not close the door onaClri presidency, but said the cot pressed primary schedule tat late-starting candidates. “While General Clark k something to say, it’s goingt( take boots on the ground:! Iowa to make a difference, said Iowa activist Joe Shannahan. Let's Co Out To Eat Thursdays in The Battalion GET LUCKY AT OZONA GRILL & BAR FATBURGER Delivers 846-4234 Fajitas (Beef or Chicken) $ 6.89 + tax I/2 lb. Meat, Sauteed Onion & Bell Pepper, 4 Flour Tortillas, Shredded Cheddar, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Salsa, Guacamole, Jalapenos, Sour Cream Bevo Burger Special *6.89 + tax lib. Burger (ground longhorn), Fries and Large Drink. Whoop! Housing construction declines in August By Jeannine Aversa THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ENJOY 25% OFF ANY ENTREE 520 HARVEY RD 694-4618 I " MON-SUN 1 ISM-ISM BRUNCH S&S 8AM-2PM HAPPY HOUR SUN-FRI 4PM-7PM # *When you present this ad. Limit 2 entrees. Dine in only. Delivery only (minimum order required) 7S<f. delivery change. College Station location only. Expires 12/31 /03 Delivery only (minimum order required) 7S<f. delivery charge. College Station location only. Expires 12/31/03 Ag owned & operated 222 n. main in historic downtown brvan 979.822.2675 « mmmm » PEPE’S MEXICAN CAFE 3312 S. College Ave., Bryan FREE STEAK FAJITA WRAP FATBURGER Delivers 846-4234 with purchase of Steak Wrap & large soft drink Present coupon when ordering. Expires 10/08/03 Fatburger Special Serving B/CS for over 33 years 779-2457 $ 5.00 + tax 1/3 lb. Burger, Fries and Large Drink 1/4 lb. Ag Special (dine-in only) $ 3.39 + tax 1/4 lb. Burger (ground longhorn), Fries and Large Drink. Whoop! One coupon per person, per visit. Not valid with any other offer^MH Minimum delivery required. 75{ delivery charge. College Station location only. Expires 12/31/03 No Limit College Station location only. Expires 12/31/03 ■■I WASHINGTON — Housing construction declined by 3.8 percent in August as higher mortgage rates made builders a bit cautious about breaking ground on new projects. The level of building activity was still considered fairly robust. The Commerce Department reported Wednesday that builders broke ground on 1.82 million housing units at a seasonally adjusted annual rate last month. The level of housing construction in August was lower than the 1.84 million unit pace that analysts were predicting. Housing construction in July clocked in at a red-hot rate of 1.89 million units, according to revised figures. That was even stronger than previously report ed and marked the highest level of housing construction seen in 17 years. Amid signs that the economy is improving, the Federal Reserve on Tuesday decided to keep a main short-term interest rate at a 45-year low of 1 percent and hinted it could stay there for some time. Near rock-bottom short-term rates might motivate consumers and businesses to spend and invest more, lifting economic growth. The housing market also is staying healthy despite a recent upswing in longer-term mort gage rates. In the middle of June, rates on benchmark 30- year mortgages slid to 5.21 per cent, the lowest level in more than four decades. Shortly after that, they began a fairly steady rise. Last week, however, rates on 30-year mortgages dropped to 6.16 percent. Factors contributing to the recent rise in mortgage rates include: signs that the economy is picking up speed and concern about swelling federal budget deficits, economists say. Those factors have pushed bond rates up, causing long-term mortgage rates to rise. Economists expect sales of both new homes and previously owned homes to hit record highs this year, even if higher mort gage rates slow activity some what in the coming months. In August, work on new sin gle-family homes declined by 4 percent from the previous month to a rate of 1.48 million units. Construction of multifamily Housing starts Here is a look at the construction rate of new homes and apartments. Seasonally adjusted 1.9 million unite 1.82 million IIIIIII 1.82 million .j 2 {One month ago 1.89 million (One year ago 1.63 million 1.1 I.O- SONDJFMAMJJA 2002 2003 SOURCE. Department of Commerce AP housing, including apartment and condos, also fell by 4 ] cent last month to a rate 308,000. Higher mortgage n nipped home builders safe prospects a bit for Septemte but they still expressed mism about sales over the neS six months. “Builders had one of tin hottest summers ever this years 1 terms of housing demand, ly because of the incredibl! favorable interest rates before mid-year,” said Nations- Association of Home Builden President Kent Conine, a and apartment builder fros 1 Dallas. After longer-term intereJ rates went up, “it was to ft expected we’d adjust ourexpfl tations accordingly. Even so there is a strong current of opti mism throughout our i industry that today’s ver) healthy activity is sustainaM through at least the end of tin 5 year.” Housing construction plunged by 23.3 percent in tft Northeast to a rate of 145,000 In the South, housing com struction dropped by 2.7 pen cent to a pace of 851,000 ami in the West, housing starts dipped by 1.8 percent to a raft of 436,000. But in tlft Midwest, housing construction increased 1 percent to a rate of 388,000. Housing permits rose by4 J percent in August from lift previous month to a rate of 1.89 million units, the highe* 1 level since December 200- And, permits for single-famil) homes rose by 2.9 percent ton record high monthly rate o> 1.48 million units. E M A n Since its inc< Maroon Out T-! ing a good cau: earned money inexplicably dis know the where Out T-shirts. The Texas . money or T-shi made such an e independent inv funds should be To its credit implemented cf the future. To s gate an account incident is a vii tions do not ass sary precaution; the 2002-2003 studies major pi ken system) unt MSC studen when dealing w efit all Aggies. Aggies shoul money — disc revealed. Sluder ing was not revt An indepenc more mistakes t pear. The coopei send a message rectify glaring e THE Editor in Chief Managing Editor Opinion Editor Metro Editor The Battalion en< less and include the reserves the right to i milted in person at 0 be mailed to: 014 Re- Station, TX 77843-11 Cartoon s false ADD In response Crazy Jake cart In Mr. Mout yesterday “C Attention Defi (ADD) was p being humorou this not funny b distasteful and It portrays son ADD as stupii having a short because he ca right, doesn’t r ADD. In fact, n or people who ADD are very just have a hai one thing for a of time. I know someo who has ADD, graduated from high school, but to graduate University with Design degree treated just lik dents. She wa top students in classes. Even tough job marl able to get a graphics design MNEfOl) HOT DENNORStfO m«\oREcftgt ETAGGtRATt