Thursday, January 23, 2003

* France and Germany reaffirmed their resistance to war in Iraq yesterday as
the two countries’ parliaments met in a special joint session.  French
President Jacques Chirac told the assembled that armed conflict was not
inevitable, and announced that the two countries were united in their desire
to let the U.N. Security Council decide on the necessity of intervention.
France has veto power on the Council and suggested earlier in the week that
it would not hesitate to use it on the issue, while Germany, though lacking
in veto power, will take over council leadership in February.

* U.S. Undersecretary of State John Bolton told a South Korean audience
yesterday that he will push for the U.N. Security Council to consider
imposing economic sanctions on North Korea in light of its recent
nuclear-technology initiatives.  However, the International Atomic Energy
Agency, which reports to the U.N. on nuclear-policy matters, is still
debating the issue and isn’t expected to present any resolution to the
Security Council in the immediate future.  North Korea, for its part, told a
UN envoy that the conflict involved only itself and America, and that any
attempt at sanctions would be considered an act of war.

* On the 30th anniversary of the historic Roe v. Wade Supreme Court
decision, both pro-life and pro-choice advocates held large rallies in
Washington.  With abortion rates falling and Republican control of Congress
and the Oval Office, protesters on both sides suggested that a change in the
country’s tenuous abortion policy might be coming.  President Bush, who sent
a message of support to the pro-life advocates, has pledged to sign a ban on
late-term abortions that Bill Clinton vetoed twice during his tenure.
Additionally, there was a strong sentiment in the crowd that the next
appointment to the Court might swing the balance away from the current 5-4
support of abortion rights.

*****

Summerbridge Info Session
Bond Memorial Hall, 4:00 p.m.

Chocolates & Choosing
Upper Tarble, 6:30 p.m.

College Bowl Meeting
Kohlberg 202, 7:00 p.m.

Rugby Meeting and Info Session
Parrish Parlor – West, 7:30 p.m.

Sociology/Anthropology Film Festival
LPAC Cinema, 8:00 p.m.

*****

SPORTS UPDATE

Though it was a night to remember for David Pearce ’03, co-captain of the
men’s basketball team, the rest of the squad would likely want to forget
their contest against Ursinus Wednesday night, which they dropped 75-51.
After falling behind 16-2 early on, the Garnet never recovered, despite 12
points by Pearce – including the 1,000th of his career.  The milestone puts
Pearce in pretty elite company, as only 13 other male hoopsters have notched
that mark at Swat.  However, neither the personal achievement nor sophomore
Blair Haxel’s team-high 14 points were enough to prevent the Garnet from
slipping to 2-2 in the Centennial Conference and 6-10 overall.

*****

Today:
Badminton hosts Haverford, 8:00 p.m.

Tomorrow:
There are no contests scheduled for tomorrow.

*****

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Sleep! I feel the need of it, as never I thought any dwarf could, riding is
tiring work. Yet my axe is restless in my hand. Give me a row of orc-necks
and room to swing and all weariness will fall from me!”
–J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Two Towers”

*****
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