Tuesday, October 26, 2004

by Victoria Swisher
Living and Arts Editor

John Kerry made a presidential campaign stop in Philadelphia yesterday, with former President Bill Clinton as guest speaker. Speaking to a crowd of thousands, including about one hundred Swatties, Clinton first discussed the concrete initiatives in health care and defense that Kerry has planned, and Kerry emphasized the failures of current President George Bush, citing the recent discovery that almost 380 tons of powerful explosives are missing from a former Iraqi military installation.

The rally began with long lines and lots of waiting. People with red or blue cards were allowed to stand closer to the stage but had to first pass through a security checkpoint for safety. At 10:30 a.m., the campaign warmed up the crowd with several dance music tunes, including Outkast’s “Hey Ya” and Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down”. Thousands attended the event, with some people watching from the windows of their offices, some watching from roofs of buildings, and others watching from the balconies of their apartments.

During the invocation, the Reverend Louis Williams Bishop, also a Pennsylvania State Representative, rallied attendees with the failures of the current administration. Attendees booed the President as she cited the over 60,000 jobs lost in Pennsylvania during President Bush’s four years in office. Introductory speakers continued in the same vein, speaking of the hope of America and Senator Kerry’s dedication to a stronger and more competent defense agenda and to healthcare for every person in America. “Pennsylvania needs Kerry. The United States of America needs Kerry. The people are ready for a new President,” they said.

Due to heavy traffic, Senator Kerry and former President Bill Clinton were late arriving at the rally. The crowd kept its spirits up by chanting “Kerry” and “We want Bill”, while more dance music was blasted from the speakers.

Former President Clinton finally took the stage, amidst wild cheers from the crowd and lots of red, white, and blue confetti, at around 12:50 p.m. While former President Clinton is still recovering from his quadruple heart bypass surgery from seven weeks ago, he appeared strong, only slightly tired, and as charismatic as ever. He asserted that Kerry has concrete plans on issues such as healthcare and defense. Clinton warned that President Bush is “burdening our children” with his tax cuts. He powerfully stated the case for Kerry as such: “Let me tell you one of Clinton’s laws of politics. If one candidate is trying to scare you, and one is trying to get you to think; if one candidate plays on your fears and one on your hopes,” he said, “you better vote for the one who wants you to think and hope.”

Senator Kerry spent most of his speech contrasting himself to President Bush. In Iraq, Kerry claimed that President Bush’s policy was “wrong and reckless” and “the President failed to do the basics.” The Senator added that is was recently discovered that almost 380 tons of powerful explosives are missing from a former Iraqi military installation. Kerry further criticized the current President, stating that “George W. Bush has failed the test of commander-in-chief”, and Kerry expressed concern over President Bush’s attitude as he said, “If [the President] can’t recognize his mistakes, how’s he going to fix them?”

Kerry asserted he would do a better job on health care and give people a choice in their health care. As he claimed during the debates, Kerry again stated that “two million people have lost their healthcare” under the current administration. The Massachusetts Senator pointed out further failings of the administration in dropping the ball on labor standards and environmental standards. He quoted the President as saying during the debates that “being President is hard work.” Kerry responded to this quote, “I am impatient to relieve this President of that hard work.” The Senator continued by saying that there are important issues on this ballot and that “our character is also on this ballot.” Senator Kerry finished his speech at the rally on a strong note as he said, “Just as I fought for this nation as a young man, I will fight to defend it now.”

For pictures of the rally, visit the Daily Gazette’s Photo of the Day.

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* According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN’s nuclear watchdog agency, nearly 400 tons of heavy explosives have gone missing from a former Iraqi military facility. A spokeswoman for the IAEA said that the Iraqi government reported the missing explosives to the agency a few days ago. The explosives were stored at the Al Qaqaa complex south of the capital city of Baghdad, and remained under control of the IAEA until the US-led invasion of the country began in March 2003. The missing explosives included nearly 200 tons of high melting point explosive, HMX, and nearly 150 tons of rapid detonation explosive, RDX. Recent bombings in Iraq have used such explosives, but it is unknown whether they are actually from the Al Qaqaa facility, since the materials are already circulating in Iraq. White House press secretary Scott McClellan told reporters that President Bush will work to determine what went wrong, but noted that the security of the storage site was the responsibility of the Iraqi government as of the June 28 transfer of power. However, the New York Times is reporting that Karl Rove argued that the explosives likely disappeared as early as 18 months ago.

* One Palestinian was killed and several others wounded by an Israeli missile attack in the Khan Yunis refugee camp in Gaza early Tuesday. The day before, at least 15 Palestinians were killed and 20 injured in the same camp. No immediate comment was available from the Israeli military regarding Tuesday’s attacks. Meanwhile, Israel’s parliament spent Monday debating Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s plan to withdraw troops and settlers from the Gaza strip. A vote on the plan is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, which Sharon is expected to win, but opposition to the plan has become increasingly vocal in recent weeks.

* South Korean border guards discovered a hole in the southern boundary of the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas Monday, raising concerns that North Korean agents might have infiltrated the world’s most heavily fortified border. The South Korean military increased roadblocks and established checkpoints in the area to look for infiltrators. At the same time, US Secretary of State Colin Powell is visiting South Korea as part of an Asian tour in an attempt to revive talks with North Korea regarding their nuclear ambitions. Powell will meet with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun on Tuesday. He has previously met with leaders in China and Japan.

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Study Abroad informational meeting: Royal Hollway College, England
Sharples Room #5, 12:00 p.m.

Dance Master Class with Jeanne Ruddy
Troy Dance Lab, 4:30 p.m.

Mathematics and Statistics Colloquium: “The Dynamical Mind”
Science Center 199, 4:30 p.m.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance information session
Lang Center, 5:00 p.m.

Open Access: Should Information Be Free?
Science Center 199, 6:15 p.m.

Feminist Film class screenings: “History and Memory”, “Measures of Distance”, and “Daughters of the Dust”
LPAC Cinema, 7:00 p.m.

Self-defense class
Kohlberg 115, 7:00 p.m.

Film series on food in film: “A Chef in Love/Shekvarebuli kulinaris ataserti retsepti”
Science Center 101, 7:30 p.m.

Shaolin Kung Fu class
Upper Tarble, 8:00 p.m.

Tango class
Upper Tarble, 9:30 p.m.

Student Council meeting
Kohlberg 230, 10:30 p.m.

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SPORTS UPDATE

Today:
Field Hockey at Haverford, 4:00 p.m.
Volleyball at Haverford, 7:00 p.m.

Tomorrow
Men’s Soccer at Ursinus, 4:00 p.m.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Being intelligent is not a felony. But most societies evaluate it as at least a misdemeanor.”
— Robert Heinlein

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