Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Gore pushes forward with election challenges by Ron Fournie'r Associated Press A1 Gore’s lawyers battled for his po litical survival in the Florida and U.S. supreme courts Thursday, pleading against delaying fresh vote recounts “even one day ” as a half-million ballots sped by rental truck to Tallahassee. GOP lawmakers jockeyed in the state capital to award the presidency to Geoige W. Bush in case the judges wouldn’t. “When the counting stops, we want to be prepared to lead this nation,” Bush said in Texas between transition meet ings with Colin Powell, the star of his Cabinet-in-the-making. In Florida, the GOP-dominated state Legislature drew a step closer to ap pointing its own slate of presidential elec tors as a committee urged leaders to call a special session. Democrats called I that “a brazen power play,” while they worked elsewhere to keep Gore in the game. Bush, whose brother is governor of the state, raised no objection to the Leg islature's actions, saying “it’s time to get some finality” for the election. Hundreds of miles away in Florida, Lt. Jim Kersey’s squad car headed up the ballot brigade as it passed a handmade sign reading “No chad zone.” “Oh my God,” he said. “The whole world is watching.” And what sights to see: Lawmakers cussed and fumed in a legislative com mittee room; the two could-be presidents plotted their transitions to power; legal briefs ricocheted between the nation’s courts; and the banana-yellow rental truck 1 — swarmed by police and media vehi cles on Ronald Reagan Turnpike — car ried contested ballots to Circuit Judge N. Sanders Sauls’ court. The recount convoy was captured by TV cameras in helicopters, giving Amer icans a birds-eye view all the way from Palm Beach to Tallahassee. Sauls could need the ballots in case he sides with Gore after a hearing Sat urday on the merits of recounts in three counties. The vice president is trying to overturn the official results of Florida’s election, which give Bush a 537-vote lead and the 25 electoral votes needed to claim the White House. Gore’s advisers believe he needs a court victory and a speedy reduction of Bush’s lead to keep public patience with ' a 23-day standoff that the vice president said could linger until the Electoral Col lege meets Dec. 18. His lawyers filed an urgent plea with the Florida Supreme Court asking the seven justices, all with Democratic ties, to start hand-counting ballots while Sauls decides whether the recounts could be added to Gore’s totals. “There is no rea son to delay counting ballots even one . day,” the brief read. Summing up Gore’s urgency, both legally and politically, his lawyers told the court: “We’re getting close to the end.” The vice president’s allies were just as emphatic about a Florida legislative committee’s recommendation that a spe cial session be called to choose a slate of electors, presumably Bush supporters. “What the hell is going on here?” Senate Democratic leader Tom Rossin asked in frustration. Bush’s brother, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, said lawmakers may need to intercede if the results are still uncertain Dec. 12, the day states must choose their electors. “Clearly, the U.S: Constitution delegates the authority of the selection of the elec tors to the Legislature,” he said. “That is as clear as can be.” Not so, said Gore’s lawyers. They filed papers with the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that the Legisla ture would be on shaky ground if it ap pointed its own slate. Both sides were submitting briefs in advance of Friday’s Supreme Court hearing in Washington. Gore’s running mate, Joseph Lieber man, accused Jeb Bush of helping his brother with a power grab. “It threatens to put us into a consti tutional crisis,” Lieberman said. Until now, only Bush’s team had talked of stakes . so high in an effort to force Gore to con cede. Democrats employed the heated rhetoric Thursday to portray Bush as a political puppeteer pulling every avail able string to maintain his minuscule lead. Bush brushed off questions about the Legislature, saying, “I won three counts and I think it’s time” to end the election. ine u.a. supreme court agreed to take on a fairly narrow question Friday: Did the state high court rule correctly when it allowed continued hand counts of ballots in the state? If the nine justices find that the Florida court was wrong to extend the state’s deadline, Gore would lose the recounted votes he gained after Nov. 14 — an action that his own advis ers say would most likely drive him from the race. Dressed casually for Powell’s visit to his rustic ranch, Bush said he would wait for legal obstacles to clear before an nouncing his Cabinet but made clear that he’s preparing to take over from Presi dent Clinton. Barak outlines peace plan; Palestinians shoot it down by Greg Myre Associated PfTess JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Ehud Barak on Thursday declared he was prepared to recognize an indepen dent Palestinian state, but said sensitive issues, such as control over Jerusalem, should be set aside for up to three years. It was the most detailed description yet that Barak has given of his peace proposals, and it was promptly rejected by Palestinian leaders, who said it failed to address their main concerns — in cluding control over Jerusalem and the fate of millions of Palestinian refugees. Two months of violence have de railed peace talks, destroyed Barak’s po litical support and placed Israel on the road to new elections, probably in April or May. On Thursday, two Palestinians were killed. One was shot to death Thurs day by Israeli forces during a riot near a refugee camp, according to Palestini ans. The Israeli military said soldiers opened fire on armed Palestinians who shot at an army patrol. Outside Beth lehem, a Palestinian was shot and killed and three others wounded in a clash with Israeli troops, witnesses said. The bloodshed, which has claimed nearly 290 lives, most of them Pales tinians, has abated in recent days. How ever, Palestinian areas remain tense, and previous lulls have been followed by re newed spasms of violence. Barak has said repeatedly that peace negotiations cold not resume until the violence subsides substantially. The prime minister said the loom ing election would not change his ap ‘The ideas which Mr. Barak claims could be a new initiative are not new at all. His main interest was and is to save himself, not to save the peace process.* Yasser Abed Rabbo Palestinian minister for inormation proach to peace negotiations, though he trails in the polls, and many analysts say he’s unlikely to win re-election un less he can produce some sort of peace deal. “I never said that I’m going to speed things up in working toward an agree ment, as a result of the elections,” Barak said in a speech to Israeli journalists in Tel Aviv. “I also said we won’t reach an agreement close to election time that would be different from one reached without elections.” Barak spoke of a “phased agree ment” and said he was prepared to recognize a Palestinian state on land in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. But af ter seven years of interim agreements, the Palestinians are insisting on a final, comprehensive deal. The Israeli leader said the emo tionally charged question of sover eignty over Jerusalem and the return of Palestinian refugees should be put off for “one or two or three years.” The proposals got a cool reception from the Palestinians. “The ideas which Mr. Barak claims could be a new initiative are not new at all,” said Yasser Abed Rabbo, the Pales tinian minister for information. “His main interest was and is to sav>. himself, not to save the peace process.’ Israel claims sovereignty O'er all of Jerusalem, but the Palestinians vant to establish a capital in traditionall; Arab east Jerusalem and have demandtd the right of return for Palestinians dispaced in Arab-Israeli wars. Israel believes nost refugees should be resettled where tley now live. Others could live in the Pals tinian state, and a few could return t) Israel. Barak is the first Israeli prime minister to publicly say he would rec ognize an independent Palestinian state. However, the Palestinian leadership, as well as ordinary Palestinians, have shot down Barak’s previous offers and say the two sides are nowhere near a final agreement. By spelling out his peace plan publicly, Barak seemed to be appealing to Israeli voters rather than launching a major initiative directed at the Pales tinians. And in some ways, he appeared to be retreating from previous positions. At a July summit in the United States with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and President Clinton, the Israeli leader ap peared willing to give the Palestinians control over parts of east Jerusalem. Wednesday, November 29 - Illegal use of telephone, Bates House. Ross Alford said someone has been call ing his room and making harassing phone calls. Reporting officer G. Whit lock. • Assistance rendered, Bates House. Danielle King said she was walking down the stairwell during a fire alarm 1 when she twisted her left ankle. King was transported to Palmetto Bap tist Medical Center. • Assistance rendered, Bates House. Blair Casey complained of severe pains in her lower abdomen. EMS respond ed and transported her to Baptist Med ical Center’s. Tuesday, Nov. 28 • Grand larceny, Preston College. Stephanie Fraley said someone removed a Sony VAIO laptop, a black purse, a Nokia cell phone, VISA, $30 cash, two IDs and assorted make-up front her un secured room. • Trespassing after notice, USC School of Law. Reporting officer J. Aspedon observed William Moore, 44, at the rear door at the incident location, at the Devine Street entrance. Officer Aspedon approached Moore and learned through a records check that he had been earlier warned to stay off USC property. Moore was arrest ed for trespassing after notice. Thursday, November 30 • Drunkenness, 1400 Lincoln St. Re porting officer M.H. Mahon observed the subject, Myma Harris, walking along the sidewalk engaged in a ver bal altercation with a male subject. Harris was loud and boisterous, using profanity. Mahon approached both sub jects and discovered Harris was in toxicated, having a high odor of alco hol about her and being unsteady on her feet. She was arrested and trans ported to Richland County Detention Center. • Drunkenness, 700 Harden St. Re porting officer R.D. Cook observed the subject, Tony Richard Tucker, 42, intoxicated and urinating outside next to a building. He was arrested and trans ported to Richland County Detention Center. Wednesday, November 29 • Disturbing school (fighting), 701 AdgerRoad (Dreher High School). The complainant, Roland Scott, reports two juvenile subjects became involved in a physical altercation during school hours that caused a general disruption of normal school activities. Both subjects were detained by school offi cials and turned over to their parents. Reporting officer: R.D. Adams. • Single assault, 2014 Devine St. (Hun ley’s). The complainant, Michael Rig by, states he became involved in a ver bal altercation with an unknown subject when he and the subject began fight ing. Rigby states he was cut on his right forearm by unknown means. Rigby was later taken to Providence Hospital and treated. Reporting officer: E.M. Wes ley. Tuesday, Nov. 28 • Shoplifting (under $1,000), Portfo lio Art Gallery, 2007 Devine St. The complainant, Judith Roberts, states a young Asian woman was looking at ear rings and wanted to know how much they cost. At the same time, another customer was asking a question. Roberts looked away and the subject hurried out the door. Roberts noticed the ear ring missing as soon as the subject left. The subject, unnamed in the police re port, was arrested shortly after de parting the store and the ear ring was found in her coat pocket. Estimated value: $66. Reporting officer: T.R. Meetze. Medical School Lawsuits Lawmaker, alumnus concerned by allegations by Brandon Larrabee The Gamecock A Midland lawmaker is ready to step in with leg islation if USC’s School of Medicine can’t resolve the controversy over the burial of several body donors. State Sen. Andre Bauer, R-Chapin, said he is ready to codify standards for thejmrial of body donors if the school can’t settle seven lawsuits brought against the university by the relatives of five donors. The lawsuits, filed Nov. 20 in Richland County circuit court, allege the medical school promised donors a proper burial but actually dumped their cremated remains in mass graves at a prison’s cemetery and pau per’s fields. The university has declined comment about the allegations. “I’m definitely going to look into it (the burial program),” Bauer said. Bauer, a Chapin businessman, graduated from USC in 1991. He has expressed concerns about the lawsuits since being contacted by Amanda Bridges, one of the plaintiffs and a constituent of Bauer’s. Bauer admitted that he hasn’t talked to universi ty officials, but said he was concerned about the school’s procedures based on his conversations with Bridges. “Clearly, this is too vague a practice and there need to be some things carved in stone,” Bauer said. However, Bauer said legislation could be avoid ed if Bridges and the university work out an agreement that addresses his concern. “I’m really waiting to see what transpires between the two of them,” he said. Bauer said if the allegations are true, the donors’ bodies weren’t handled properly. “Clearly their bodies were.n’t handled in the way you or I would want our loved ones’ bodies handled,” he said. He also said he would “lean towards defending” her position if the allegations turn out to be true. “Looking at it in the way she’s looking at it, I feel she’s justified,” Bauer said. Bauer pointed to the apparent disparity in treat ment between criminals and “people who tried to do something good.” According to Bauer, the prisoners were buried more respectfully than the donors, which the lawsuit alleges were buried in the mass graves anonymously. Bauer said he had already spoken to some legis lators about the matter and planned to talk with oth ers later. “When we reconvene in January, I’m going to talk to people about it,” he said. Bauer serves on the Senate Medical Affairs Com mittee, but said he wasn’t sure which committee the bill would be assigned to, noting that it could go to the Education Committee. “That’s all dependent upon where the lieutenant governor sends it,” he said. The university desk can be reached at gamecockudesk@hotmaiLcom. Lawsuits from page 1 parents were buried, forcing her to turn to a local television station to find out the truth. Similar chaiges are found in lawsuits filed by five of Bridges’ relatives: her sis ter, Janice Berry, maternal grandmoth er Nancy Jo Strange, father Jimmy Bridges, mother Nancy Jean Harler and daughter Lacy Bridges. The chaiges also resemble those found in another lawsuit filed by Arthur Wee den. That suit says Weeden was under the impression that “his parents’ remains would be returned to him upon request,” but the university didn’t tell Weeden where his parents were buried. While it is not clear what agreement was signed by Weeden’s parents, current body donors are told they must request remains be returned to them within a cer tain period of time. “If the family would like to make oth er arrangements in regards to internment, next-of-kin must contact us in writing within two months (from) the time of the death of the donor,” according to a page of instructions USC encloses when send ing agreements to potential donors. The lawsuits says “the Plaintiff is dis traught by the knowledge that his parents — donated their bodies to a program that, basically, lied to them in order to en sure their donation and had they known the truth about this program, they would not have wanted the University to re ceive their bodies.” The lawsuits claim the university’s deception of the relatives was intention al. “The University had an interest in making these false statements, in so much as they had an interest in keeping the truth concealed from persons whose family members had been lied to for fear of le gal action and in order to conceal the truth front potential donors,” five of the law suits say. Another statement found in Strange’s lawsuit is more blunt. “The Defendant made these false statements with the intention of increasing the number of bodies donated to their program,” the suit claims. Attorney Michael Hart, who is rep resenting the plaintiffs, had previously told The Gamecock eight lawsuits had been filed. He called again Wednesday, correcting the number to seven. Free Times had previously report ed that six lawsuits had been filed. The university has 30 days from the serving of court papers to respond to the lawsuit, but Hart said that would likely be extended to 60. Hie university desk can be reached at gamecockudesk@hotmail.com. I *