Swimming in Texas tea
George W. may actually have a thing or two right about releasing oil from the reserves — or does he? / 4
s i \ c ! •:	1012
TUESDAY
October 3, 2000
Of interest...
Nothing has been special about USCs horrendous special teams this season / 20
Student newspaper of the University of Southern California
News Digest 2
Staff Box	4
The Buzz	7
Crossword 17
vol. CXXXXI, no. 25
Opinions	4
Lifestyle	7
Classifieds	16
Sports	20
www usc.edu/dt
University, bus riders resist ci rail line
Transportation: Safety and traffic concerns
mar MTA's proposal of an Exposition i
Boulevard light rail system near campus
By AMANDA CARACCI
Staff Writer
A proposal for the Metropolitan Transit Authority to install a light rail line on Exposition Boulevard, already opposed by university officials, is facing intensified opposition thanks to racial tension exacerbated by thi* current MTA strike.
The Exposition project is in its second phase, during which an Environmental Impact Report will evaluate factors such as noise, congestion and neighbors' and users’ opinions to help decide if building a light rail is an acceptable alternative to purchasing more buses or implementing a Bus Rapid Transit system.
The Bus Riders Union, an advocacy group for inner-city riders, claims that the MTA is spending too much money on its rail lines — which it says are more popular among tourists and suburban whites — and not enough on bus lines, frequented by inner-city, low-income minorities.
“The Bus Riders Union have the ideology that nobody deserves better than a bus,” said Darrell Clarke, a representative from Friends for Expo Transit.
The rail system is faster, more comfortable, carries more riders and is more appealing to those who currently drive than the city buses, Clarke said.
Bus Riders Union members defend their stance against a light rail with accusation that the project is the result of “racist policy-making," said Edgar Sanchez, organizer for the Bus Riders Union.
I see Transportation, page 15 I
“The Bus liiders Union have the ideology that nobody deserves better than a bus"
DARRELL CLARKE, Friends for Expo Transit representative
A
Matt Giedlinski I Daily Trojan
A sign of protest. An anti-abortion demonstrator protests outside a medical clinic on Figueroa Street Monday afternoon. His sign reads “No abortion, do what your conscious tells you."
Pill incites ethical dilemmas
By DANA NICHOLS
Assistant City Editor
The decision by the USC Health Center not to provide the “abortion pill” to students after it was approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration last Thursday created waves among the religious groups on campus.
“I’m in favor of them not providing it, because it makes it harder for students to have access to basically what 1 believe is murder," said David Michaelian, director of Campus Crusade for Christ.
Other leaders said that providing the option for women is important “Not having all the options is a disservice to the patient and the medical community,” said William
RELIGION &
ETHICS
Buttrey, advisor of the Atheist, Humanist and Freethought Alliance.
“Overall it’s a very good thing to give people more control of the destiny of their future,” said Rabbi Jonathan Klein of the Hillel Jewish Center.
The “abortion pill” known as RU-486, or mifepristone, allows women to have a non-surgical abortion. It will reportedly be available next month.
Dr. Lawrence Neinstein, director of the Student Health Center, said it will treat medical abortions the same way as it treats surgical abortions, by counseling patients and then sending them to outside doctors.
Some religious leaders said their faiths do not approve of common use of the drug, but make occasional exceptions to the no-abortion rule.
"We find (abortion) unacceptable," said Rev. William Messenger of the Catholic Student Association. “The exceptions for abortion are extremely rare. For example, if a woman with a cancerous uterus — if she needs surgery to save her life, obviously she won’t keep the baby.” Others said abortion should never be an option for women.
I see Religion, page 13 I
The
Debate
A woman can have a non-surgical abortion by taking RU-486, the “abortion pill," which will be available in the United States next month.
New GPSS vice president to advocate for student needs
Government: Brigette Tippin elected to the position at Monday night meeting By JEFF SKLAR
Contributing Writer
Graduate and Professional Student Senate elected GPSS veteran Brigette Tippin, a graduate student in molecular biology, as vice president at the full board meeting Monday.
Tippin has served two years with
GPSS and held several other campus offices as both a graduate and undergraduate. She replaces Peggy Reichenbach, who resigned earlier this semester from the position that was created for the first time this year.
“(Tippin) has lots of experience on the board, and has been a very active member of the finance committee,” said President Jennifer Vega, a graduate student in education. “She brings lots of energy and efficiency to the board."
Following the meeting, Vega I see Government page 13 I
Advocates debate party platforms
Forum: Censorship and military spending focus of campus representatives discussion on Monday
By MARGARET KENNELLY
Contributing Writer
Friction between the major and minor political parties turned up the heat during Monday's political debate in Hahn Plaza on censorship, national defense and foreign policy. The campus debate served as a
CAMPAIGN
♦
local warm-up session for tonight’s national presidential debate between Democratic candidate Al Gore and Republican candidate George W. Bush. But the televised debate will not feature Green Party candidate Ralph Nader or Natural Law Party candidate John Hagelin, whose USC
representatives livened up the discussion Monday.
“Peace can never come from the preparations of war," said Natural Law speaker Aaron Nicholson, a junior majoring in communication, responding to the Republicans’ argument that a stronger military will promote peace.
Green Party representative Minta Ershagi, a senior majoring in international relations, agreed, saying good peaceful relations with other countries, not a strong military, is the key to a successful foreign policy. She said the Greens support good I see Forum, page IS i
Tomorrow: Daily Trojan open house from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in STU Room 421.