SATURDAY July 31, 2004 VIRGINIA FERGUSON, 80-YEAR-OLD DARLING OF ROCKAWAY BEACH'S CASINO COMMERCIALS 1B Blasphemy or satire? Comedy Central's hit "South Park" has been taking a very irreverent look at the world's religions Life 1C NE NEWS-LEADER Upbeat Bush thrills crowd President Bush shakes hands with supporters Friday after "We're turning the corner, and we're not turning back," president tells Ozarks. By James Goodwin Reasserting his political muscle Friday, President Bush repeated reasons for the war in Iraq and told Springfield supporters that, given the choice, he would oust Saddam Hussein again. Speaking at Hammons Field, Bush said the former Iraqi leader flouted U.N. weapons inspectors for too long, posing a threat to the United States and the world that required a response. Despite limited links between Hussein and al-Qaida, Bush drew a parallel between the parties.
"When (Hussein) continued to deceive the weapons inspectors, I had a decision to make to hope for the best and to trust the word of a madman and a tyrant or remember the lessons of September the 11th and defend our country," Bush said. "Given that choice I will defend America every time." The president's 45- minute speech attracted roughly 9,000 spectators. It was his first campaign stop since Democrats anointed John Kerry their presiden- U.S.: We'll rush funds for Iraq's rebuilding COMING HOME B.J. Flores will fight in Springfield Sports 1D Springfield, Missouri speaking to a crowd of BUSH CHENEY '04 DECISION 2004 Lee Gannaway Former mayor has joined the fight against CU's proposed coalfired power plant Both sides trying to get vote out on CU plant The coal-fired power facility is the focus of fliers, canvassing, ads. By Mike Penprase Door-to-door canvassing, radio ads and hot dogs figure into final campaigning over Springfield City Utilities' $578.5 million plan to build a new coalfired power plant.
Residents will decide the fate of the plant in Tuesday's election. Labor union members favoring the proposal will be knocking on doors today to share literature supporting the plant. Casino op- On the other ponents plan side of the islast-minute sue, Rate Paypush. 3B ers for Affordable Utilities will be airing radio ads questioning the need, group representatives said Friday. The ads come on the heels of fliers questioning the need for the facility.
And CU itself will hold a final open house today at the Southwest Power Station, with free hot dogs and soft drinks to help lure visitors. Though the utility can't campaign directly, the event allows CU to show how it produces electricity. Other groups are helping the cause, though. The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce has been working with 15 other groups endorsing CU's plan. The chamber has done direct mailings and will run print ads, chamber vice president Brad Bodenhausen said.
But it won't be until after the election that the sides will know whose message was the more effective. FIGHTING THE POWER Earlier this week, the Rate Payers for Affordable Utilities and the Springfield Building and Construction Trade Council distributed more than 50,000 fliers questioning the need for See Plant, Page 6A COMING SUNDAY DEAN CURTIS NEWS-LEADER In LIFE: What drives people to collect? A few folks in the Ozarks share their passions for all things collectible. Powell says the money will help Iraqis stem the violence. By Cam Simpson CHICAGO TRIBUNE BAGHDAD, Iraq In his first visit here since the United States ceded authority to an interim Iraqi government, Secretary of State Colin Powell pledged to accelerate U.S. funding for reconstruction and suggested it would help curb the continuing violence.
"We want to build the infrastructure. We want to create jobs," Powell said at a news conference with DEAN CURTIS NEWS LEADER about 9,000 at Hammons Field. Anti-Bush protester Tonya Cunningham flashes a peace sign as she is arrested outside Hammons Field. She was charged with common assault, a misdemeanor, WA after her encounter with a ticket-taker. BOB LINDER NEWS-LEADER Bush event protesters were, for the most By Matt Wagner Luna i is "pawsitively furious" with President Bush.
Or so said the cardboard sign attached to the docile female boxer as she sauntered through an amoebic throng of protesters Friday morning outside Hammons Field. "I made it for the dog, because I figured it would get attention," said Luna's owner, Emily Hinman, 20. "And it has." Hinman, a Springfield native who now lives in Tucson, said she fears for ing the administration's inability to quickly rebuild Iraq, despite the $18 billion for reconstruction that was authorized by lawmakers in special legislation. Less than $500 million of the Iraqi reconstruction cash has been spent so far. Officials have complained about red tape and the difficult security situation in Iraq for reconstruction workers.
"Reconstruction and security are two sides of the same coin," Powell said Friday. He said that when Iraqis "see things happening in society," including getting access to running water and reliable electricity, "that contributes to a sense of safety and dimproves the security environment." Powell did not offer any details about how much U.S. money would be placed on the fast track. Security was intense for Powell's visit Friday. It was also Powell's first visit since the State Department, long marginalized on Iraq policy, was given primary responsibility for U.S.
efforts in Iraq. Powell spent about 10 hours inside the Green Zone on Friday before returning to Kuwait. In his three trips to Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein, Powell has never ventured into Baghdad beyond the Green Zone. Last September, however, he did make a special trip to Halabja in northern Iraq, the site of a gas attack against the Kurds two decades ago. Scientists discover potent shark repellent that may save lives Iraq's interim deputy prime minister, Barham Saleh.
"We want to show the Iraqi people that this money is being used for their benefit and do it as quickly as we can." In a visit that was not announced in advance for security reasons, Powell also said he had pledged during meetings with Saleh and other Iraqi leaders Friday to push for faster release of the funds. Some members of Congress have been criticiz- JIM MACMILLAN ASSOCIATED PRESS Secretary of State Colin Powell promises Iraqis more reconstruction funds. Marines battle insurgents in Fallujah. 9A NATO agrees to train Iraqi security forces. 9A ELECTION 2004 Kerry kicks off a two-week cross campaign tour.
5A tial nominee. Bush offered a phrase Friday that seemed to be a response to Kerry's new slogan, "Help is on the way." "We're turning the corner," the president said, "and we're not turning back." The president's appearance the Friday was moved from Springfield Center to accommodate his many local supporters. They granted Bush numerous standing ovations and showered him with thunderous applause. "I just really appreciate his positive attitude, his stance on things," said Justin Cleveland, 28, of Bolivar. "He's confident about who he is." Cleveland who strapped a posterboard with "Wheel'n For Bush" on the side of his wheel- See Bush, Page 4A If proved effective, the repellent might one day protect divers, surfers and swimmers.
But researchers say that would require much more study. First they hope it can protect sharks in decline worldwide because of overfishing by reducing the numbers caught needlessly by long-line commercial fishermen. "You introduce this chemical and they all leave," said lead researcher Eric Stroud, a30- year-old chemical engi- MICHAEL HERRMANN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Researchers Eric Stroud (left) and Grant Johnson (right) test a shark repellent on a lemon shark. A GANNETT NEWSPAPER FINAL This Special Offer From The Furniture Row Companies ENDS TUES, AUG. 3rd! VOL.
114, NO. NEWS-LEADER 213 Index Weather Auto News 7B Horoscope Employment 6C 2F Real Ozarks Estate 1B Conditions RECEIVE A DISCOUNT EQUAL TO THE AMOUNT OF THE SALES Business Life 1C For Sale 4F return to Classified 7C Lottery 2B Rentals normal On Any Purchase Of $1000 Or More! Comics Deaths 4B Movies 5C Stocks 8B humid. 2A Sofa Mart EXPRESE Crossword 6C Merchandise 3F Sports that is, hot, oak NO Payments NO Interest For ONE BEDROOM. MATTRESS COM Faith Values 2C Night Life 5C Television 2A naturally See our Insert in today's paper for details. purchase required W.A.C 40901 42035 4 el Garage Sales 3F Opinion 8A Weather Precipitation: part, peaceful the country if Bush is elected to another four years in the White House.
"He's messin' up big time," she said. "Everybody feels like we've had enough." Another protester, Brittney Reuthebuck, turned heads with her Lady Liberty costume. "I am your tired, hungry poor," read a sign slung around her neck. "With most presidents, I'm usually concerned about one or two issues," said Reuthebuck, 32, of See Protest, Page 4A By Ian James THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico Excited by the scent of blood, a dozen sharks dart about in a frenzy as a researcher dips a pole in the sea and squirts out a clear, yellowish substance. Within seconds, the sharks jerk their snouts away and vanish.
Researchers say they finally have found a potent repellent to drive away sharks. It's a goal that's eluded scientists for decades. neer from Oak Ridge, N.J. The repellent, called A-2 because it was the second recipe, is derived from extracts of dead sharks that Stroud gathered at New Jersey fish markets and piers. Fishermen and scientists have long noted that sharks stay away if they smell a dead shark.
"We have something that really works, but research remains," said Samuel Gruber, a University of Miami marine biologist and shark expert who is helping conduct tests at the Bimini Biological Field Station. Tests have found the repellent effective on four species: the Caribbean reef, nurse, blacknose and lemon sharks. Studies are needed on other species such as the great white, mako and oceanic whitetip. Gruber said the repellent seems to carry a chemical messenger that triggers a flight reaction. He said more studies are needed to pinpoint the active molecule..
