The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, January 12, 2001, Page 2, Image 2
News Digest Page 2 Daily Nebraskan Friday, January 12,2001 - <k*|. AOL, Time Warner merger approved ■The FCCs approval will allow the media giants to enhance Internet access through TV sets. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — Communications regulators have voted to approve the $106 billion deal between America Online and lime Warner, allow ing the two companies to seal their massive media merger, sources familiar with the review said Thursday. Federal Communications Commission Chairman William Kennard was expected to announce the decision Thursday evening, after a day of trying to end a deadlock over the conditions the agency would attach to the deal. A resolution will enable the commission to give final clear ance to the combination, which European and U.S. antitrust reg ulators already have approved. Kennard had the backing of Susan Ness, a Democrat, in vot ing to go ahead with the deal with certain enforceable condi tions, but he needed at least one other member to support that position. The chairman was engaged Thursday in talks with the other Democratic commissioner, Gloria Tristani, who had tenta tively voted against the deal because she felt the conditions did not go far enough, sources said. Tristani has wanted the agency to impose broader requirements forcing AOL to open its popular instant mes saging service to all competi tors. Kennard and Ness have favored a more tailored approach that would require AOL to make its instant messag ing product operate with offered rivals, but only for advanced services, such as video confer encing, delivered over Time Warner's high-speed cable lines. The chairman’s office also was reaching out to a Republican commissioner, Michael Powell, for any possible common ground on conditions, sources said. Powell and his GOP col league, Harold Furchtgott Roth, support approving the deal but have concerns about the agency going beyond its jurisdiction in imposing any requirements on the companies. Most believe Furchtgott Roth cannot be swayed to sup port conditions on the deal. But an agreement potentially could be reached with Powell by mak ing the language of the condi tions looser, sources said. A commissioner can switch his or her vote if other members make changes to the deal. All five members must vote for a final decision to be reached. As part of its merger review, the FCC is also weighing broad er rules that would ensure that cable companies will not steer viewers away from competing content in the emerging market for interactive television. The combined AOL Time Warner is expected to get a foothold in the new market that allows consumers to access the Internet from their television sets. Kennard’s intense work with his colleagues comes on what is likely his last major project as the agency's chairman. He is expected to resign after the FCC renders its verdict on the merg er. As Kennard presided at his final open meeting Thursday, his colleagues credited the first black chief of the agency for bringing the benefits of the telecommunications revolution to more Americans, including Native Americans and those with disabilities. Powell, son of Secretary of State-designate Colin Poweil, is seen as the leading contender to fill the chief's role under President-elect Bush. Clinton bids adieu, thanks the people * - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DOVER, N.H. — Like the scrappy politician of a decade ago, President Clinton returned to New Hampshire on Thursday to promise anew that after he leaves the White House he will still stand by the people “until the last dog dies." “After eight years, and with almost exactly nine days to go, the last dog is stdl barking,” Clinton proclaimed to a crowd of about 2,000 in the Dover High School gymnasium. Clinton’s visit was the latest round of his farewell tour, allow ing him a chance to talk about what he did for the country during his eight years in office. He plans to visit Arkansas, his home state, before turning the presidency over to GeorgeW Bush - son of the incumbent president he defeated-on Jan. 20. “It was a tough time, eight years ago, for our country when I came here,” Clinton said. “It was also a fairly tough time for me. I was taking a whipping in the press, and I was dropping in the polls. But I said then, and I would like to say again, that was nothing compared to the punishment that the people of this state and this nation were enduring.” It was in Dover in 1992 that Clinton, dogged by criticism of his deferred Vietnam draft status, his purported affair with Gennifer Flowers and his Whitewater real estate dealings, delivered one of his best-known campaign speeches. He argued that the elder Bush had ignored social decay in America and pledged that, if given the White House, “I won’t be like George Bush.” “I’ll never forget who gave me a second chance, and I’ll be there for you 'til the last dog dies,” Clinton said then. He used a strong second-place finish in New 77/ never forget who gave me a second chance, and 77/ be there for you 7/7 the last dog dies” Bill Clinton President Hampshire’s primary- 6 percent age points behind Paul Tsongas’ 34 percent - to reinvigorate his campaign. He declared himself Nthe Comeback Kid” and went on to defeat Bush in the general elec tion. On Thursday, Clinton was awash in the memories of that speech. “The place was packed. And I didn't have any notes, and all the experts said I was dead,” he recalled. "But I said what we really needed was to think about what we were going to do as a people.” He said after that speech, he told his wife Hillary - who now serves in the Senate - that he believed he had a chance. “By the way, my wife said to tell you hello and thank you and, when you really need it, you might have a third United States senator now," Clinton said. Under his watch, Clinton said, more than 22 million new jobs have been created, American homeownership is at an all-time high, unemployment is at its low est level in 30 years, welfare rolls are shrinking, poverty is at a 20 year low, the crime rate is at a 26 year low, and infant mortality and teen-age births are down consid erably. "I came here... to thank you for making me the Comeback Kid, and far more important to thank you for making America the Comeback Country,” Clinton said. Sean Gaflup/Newsmakers Demonstrators on Prague's Wenceslas Square applaud the announcement that controversial director of CzechTelevision JiriHodac resigned earlier Thursday.Appro»matety1()0^demonstrators again filled central Prague to voice support for independent media. uuesttons? uomments? Ask for the appropriate section editor at (402)472-2588 or e-mail: dn@unl.edu Editor: Sarah Baker Managing Editor Bradley Davis Associate Nows Editor Kimberly Sweet Assignment Editor Jill Zeman Opinion Editor Jake Glazeski Sports Editor Matthew Hansen Assistant Sports Editor David Diehl Arts Editor Samuel McKewan Copy Desk Chief: Danell McCoy Copy Desk Chief: Chad Ellsworth Photo Chief: Scott McClurg Art Director Melanie Falk Alt Director Delan Lonowski Design Coordinator: Bradley Davis Design Coordinator Samuel McKewan Web Editor Gregg Steams Assistant Web Editor Tanner Graham ' General Manager Dan Shattil Publications Board Russell Willbanks, Chairman: (402)436-7226 Professional Adviser Don Walton, (402) 473-7248 Advertising Manager NickPartsch, (402) 472-2589 Assistant Ad Manager Nicole Woita Classified Ad Manager Nikki Bruner Circulation Manager imtiyazKhan Fax Number (402) 472-1761 mm?m % WoridWideWeb. www.dailyneb.com The Daily Nebraskan (USPS144-080) is published by the UNL Publications Board, 20 Nebraska Union, 1400 R St., Lincoln, NE 68588-0448, Monday . through Friday during the academic year; weekly during the summer sessions. The public has access to the Publications Board. Readers are encouraged to submit story ideas HA*, and comments to the Daily Nebraskan by calling (402) 472-2588. Subscriptions are $60 for one year. Postmaster Send address changes #PHS**%.to the Daily Nebraskan, 20 Nebraska Union % 1400 R St.,Lincoln, NE 68588-0448. t Periodical postage paid at Lincoln, NE. all MATERIAL COPYRIGHT 2001 DAILY NEBRASKAN Prison employees charged in scandal ■Thirteen accused of allegations involving inmates having sex at governor's residence. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS COLUMBIA, S.C. — Gov. Jim Hodges angrily fired South Carolina's prisons chiefThursday after two guards were charged with letting inmates have sex at the governor’s residence. The charges deepened a prison sex scandal that began last summer when child killer Susan Smith told investiga tors she had sex with two guards. A total of 13 guards and other prison employees have been charged since the investigation began. “I am mad as hell, for die sanctity of my home has been violated,” Hodges said in firing William “Doug” Catoe and appointing former FBI agent Dodge Frederick to head the Corrections Department. Hodges, who re-appointed Catoe in 1999, had stood by the prisons director even as the state investigation into sex ual favors and drugs behind bars widened. But reports that inmates who work in and around the Governor's Mansion and the governor's temporary resi dence had sex while he was not home were “the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Hodges said. “We’ve got to get confidence back in the Department of Corrections, but the first and most important thing to me is to get these folks out of my house," the governor said. Catoe, a 30-year veteran of the Corrections Department, first was appointed to the $122,404-a-year job by then-Gov. David Beasley in December 1998. He said Hodges called him Thursday with the news he was fired. “I’ve always tried to do my best," Catoe said. “I can look in the mirror and know I did a good job." Weather TODAY Partly cloudy high 48, low 39 TOMORROW Showers high 42, low 35 Bush fills labor trade positions THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON—President-elect Bush, completing his economic team and re-con cluding his Cabinet, chose former Peace Corps Director Elaine Chao as labor secre tary and Robert Zoellick, a diplomat in two previous Republican administrations, to be U.S. trade representative. TWo days after his first labor nominee withdrew under fire, Bush also mounted a spirited defense of two other nominees who have generated opposition: former Sen. John Ashcroft, R-Mo., as attorney general and former Colorado Attorney General Gale Norton as interior secretary. “You know, what happens in this town is, the voices of the special interests like to tear people down,” Bush said, showing irritation. Chao, the wife of a Republican senator, was Bush’s second selection for Labor and appears likely to be confirmed. He picked her after his first choice, Linda Chavez, with drew following disclosures that she provided shelter and cash to an illegal immigrant who did household chores. World/Nation The Associated Press ■ Northern Ireland Offices of Catholic party bombed, no injuries BELFAST, Northern Ireland —A bomb damaged offices of the main Northern Ireland Catholic party Thursday night, but caused no injuries, police said There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but legisla tor Alban Maginness of North Belfast accused the outlawed Protestant Ulster Defense Association of staging the attack on the office of the moderate Catholic Social Democratic and Labor Party. The bomb caused extensive damage to the hallway and rein forced door in the building. Maginness said he had no doubt the attack was linked to his com ments earlier in the week when he welcomed the parole board’s decision to keep notorious anti Catholic militant Johnny “Mad Dog” Adair in jail Protestant legislator Cecil Walker of the Ulster Unionist Party said he and his colleagues in North Belfast “unreservedly con demn this attack.” I Colorado McVeigh denies opportunity to appeal bombing case1 DENVER — Convicted Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh let expire a Thursday deadline for resuming his appeals, and his attorneys said he now wants a date set for his exe cution. McVeigh had until 5 p.m. to file a notice with U.S. District Judge Richard Matsch, who presided over his trial. District Court Clerk Jim Manspeaker said McVeigh didn’t act befor^ the close of business but his attorneys still could do so before midnight Thursday. “ If they deliver it to my house, I would file it, and it would be up to Judge Matsch to determine if it was timely,” Manspeaker said. Nathan Chambers, McVeigh's attorney, said that during a meet ing at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Ind., McVeigh ordered there be no more appeals on his behalf. "He made it clear this was his decision. I tried to talk him out of it and get him to resume his appeal, but it was his decision not to file,” Chambers said. ■ Oregon Researchers create first genetically altered primate PORTLAND, Ore. — Pushing science to the brink of altering humans, researchers have creat ed the world’s first genetically modified primate - a baby rhesus monkey with jellyfish DNA that glows green in the dark. The Oregon Health Science University researchers who creat ed ANDi - for "inserted DNA,” spelled backward - said their goal is not to tinker with the human blueprint but to use monkeys in the laboratory to advance med ical research and wipe out dis eases. The researchers hope to intro duce other genes in rhesus mon keys that could trigger diseases like Alzheimer’s, diabetes, breast cancer or HIV Then, those mon keys could be used in experi ments aimed at blocking diseases at the genetic level. ■ Georgia Turner sells WCW after foiling to compete with WWF j ATLANTA—Ted Turner gave up his attempt to take Southern fried wrestling nationwide Thursday, selling World Championship Wrestling, whose aging, balding stars couldn’t com pete with the lurid storylines and catchphrase-spouting young sters of the World Wrestling Federation. WCW, once a Southern-only circuit with stopovers in places like Augusta, Ga., and Greenville, S.C., became the No. 1 pro wrestling brand after Turner spent millions to lure away estab lished WWF wresders like Hulk Hogan. But the WWF, which airs on UPN and TNN, wrenched the top spot back by promoting young stars like The Rock and salacious plots involving everything from a wrestler marrying the owner’s daughter to a wrestler impregnat ing an elderly woman.