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The University of South Carolina Friday, January 20, 2006 Vol. 99, No. 52 • Since 1908 PETA supporters protest circus Activists picket at Colonial Center show, claim alleged abuse of Ringling Bros, animals Jess uavis STAFF WRITER Local activists will demonstrate outside of the Colonial Center this weekend in protest of what they say is abusive behavior to animals at the Ringling Bros, and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The activists, acting in support of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, will pass out leaflets and DVD’s that they say document Ringling Bros.’ personnel abusing the circus animals. Ringling Bros, denies any wrongdoing in their treatment of the animals and says that PETA’s statements are inaccurate. “We hope to raise awareness of the cruelty behind the scenes at the circtfs,” national PETA campaign coordinator Matt Rice said of the group’s nationwide demonstrations against Ringling Bros. Rice said that the circus animals are “beaten in order to make them perform stupid circus tricks.” The Ringling Bros, circus will perform shows in Columbia all weekend; its first show was Thursday night. Demonstrations protesting the circus’ treatment of animals in Columbia, however, began Monday when a woman stood naked in a cage with her body painted to look like a tiger on the corner of Gervais and Assembly streets. The woman said in a press release, “If it takes exposing some of my skin to expose the cruelty that goes on behind the scenes at the circus, I’m happy to do it.” She stood at the corner for about an hour, from noon to 1 p.m., accompanied by several (clothed) activists. One of those activists, Donna Fanti-Lab, organized the demonstrations that will continue outside the Colonial Center this weekend. PBTfl • 2 —p^* W RINGLING BROS.: ( LION ' KILLERS 4 \ nnt.QP— Katie Boucher / THE GAMECOCK Donna Fanti-Lab, a PETA supporter, protests in front of the Colonial Center on Thursday evening. Fanti-Lab organized the protest against Ringling Bros. Circus, arguing that the event encourages animal cruelty. •Nations collide — in debate, anyway First-year student revives university Model United Nations, plans high school conference (licole Colutell FOR THE GAMECOCK Sometime this spring, ^^David Ensor hopes to have the world gathered at USC. The world, that is, as portrayed by South Carolina high school students at the university’s first Model United Nations conference in nearly four years. Ensor, a first-year undecided student, held the first meeting of the newly reincarnated USC Model UN Thursday in Gambrell Hall. About 30 students attended. Hosting the high school competition “will provide high school students with an opportunity to hone their skills,” Ensor said. It also provides a means of recruitment for outgoing high school students. “Being that many South Carolina students go on to attend USC, this conference will also serve as a way... to draw more interest,” Ensor said. The club’s adviser, international studies professor Roger Coate, envisions future conferences attended by the USC group, as well. Next year, the members of the club hope to attend an international conference at McGill University in Canada. Conferences are modeled after the actual world governing body, with different schools engaging in mock debate about worldly issues, such as the World Bank, women’s rights and security. The leaders of Model UN conferences assign a country to each school planning to attend, and each team has two to three months to extensively research their nation’s position concerning various topics. At the conference itself, student delegates have the opportunity to fervently debate their positions on behalf of their assigned country, with the chance of receiving an award based on moDCLun • 2 Meg Gaillard / THE GAMECOCK First-year undecided student David Ensor and founder of USC's chapter of the Model United Nations, right, talks with Pherris Ashby, a second-year electrical engineering student, during a meeting Thursday night. New tape from bin Laden says al-Qaida preparing new attacks Terrorist leader proposes ‘truce’ in Afghanistan, Iraq Lee Heath THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CAIRO, Egypt — Osama bin Laden warned in an audiotape aired Thursday that his' fighters are preparing new attacks in the United States but offered the American people a “long-term truce” without specifying the conditions. The tape, portions of which were aired on Al Jazeera television, was the first from the al-Qaida leader in more than a year. It came only days after a U.S. airstrike in Pakistan that targeted bin Laden’s Bin Lnoen • 3 r ' -J m The Associated Press Exiled Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden is seen in this April 1998 file photo in Afghanistan. Al-Jazeera aired an audiotape purportedly from Osama bin Laden on Thursday saying al-Qaida is making preparations for attacks in the United States but offering a truce to rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan. 4|Prosecutor: Evidence incriminates Democratic campaigners in case i bretchen tniHe THE ASSOCIATED PRESS MILWAUKEE — Witness testimony, cell phone records and other evidence show that five Democratic campaign workers punctured tires on vehicles Republicans intended to use to get out the vote on Election Day 2004, a prosecutor told ^fckjrors in closing arguments ^^Thursday. The son of a congresswoman and the son of a former Milwaukee mayor are among those accused of the vandalism near a Bush-Cheney campaign office. Jurors deliberated for about two hours Thursday afternoon before breaking for the day. Milwaukee County District Attorney David Feiss told jurors that testimony from several national euiDcnce • 2 Elise Bearers / THE GAMECOCK Vehicles are parked Thursday in the new wing of the Bull Street Garage. Bull Street Garage opens 1,000 new spots Parking at USC just got 1,000 spaces better. The addition to the Bull Street Garage opened this semester about a year after construction began, and with it Parking Services hopes to alleviate the woes of resident students. Both sections of the garage are connected, allowing decaled motorists and those parking by the hour to cross into the added space. Hourly patrons will use the bottom three levels of the new wing, from lower level two to level one; monthly patrons will use levels one through six. Hourly parking costs 50 cents, but parking services director Derrick Huggins said patrons are only allowed from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. “We are going to be very aggressive about towing and ticketing,” said Huggins. About 300 spaces are still available for purchase. Parking Services is asking on-campus students to buy the spaces before selling them to commuters. Huggins said the new garage will help the parking situation because resident students will be able to park near their dorms. And “if you’re coming to drop off a book at the library or grab some food, utilize the Bull Street parking garage,” Huggins said. — Gina Vasselli Viewpoints Chase Stoudenmire refrains from writing about girls or mom; Aaron Brazier continues the Stoudenmire tradition with a sappy love cofUmn. The Mix ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’ USC alum Tyron McFarlan leads the way as Barnum & Bailey’s . new ringmaster. Sports In training The Gamecocks hit the baseball diamond for their first practice of the season Thursday. t INDEX Comics & Crossword..6 Classifieds.9 Horoscopes.6 Letters to the Editor..4 Police Report..2 %