2 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, February 25, 2000 NATION/WORLD Bush allows execution of woman Texas governor rejects claim of self-defense AcROSS THE NATION - Y) I HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) - A 62-year-old woman was executed by injection yesterday after Gov. George W. Bush rejected her claim that she killed her fifth husband in self-defense and deserved a reprieve. Betty Lou Beets became the fourth woman to be executed in the United States since the Supreme Court in 1976 allowed the death penalty to resume. She was the second woman executed in Texas since the Civil War. She gave no final statement as she lay strapped to the death chamber gur- ney. She made no eye contact with the victim's family, but smiled at relatives watching through a window at her side, She continued smiling as she slipped into unconsciousness. Death penalty opponents and domestic violence organizations had urged Bush to grant Beets a 30-day delay, arguing it would be consistent with his description of himself as a "compassionate conservative" in his presidential campaign. The delay was Bush's only option, since the state parole board did not recommend that her sentence be commuted to life in prison. During his 5 1/2 years as governor, 120 convicted killers have been exe- cuted in Texas. He has spared one con- demned inmate. "After careful review of the evi- dence of the case, I concur with the jury that Betty Lou Beets is guilty of this murder," Bush said in a written statement after returning to Texas from California, where he was campaigning for the Republican nomination. "I'm confident that the courts, both state and federal, have thoroughly reviewed all the issues raised by the defendant." Beets and her lawyers insisted the former bartender-waitress, convicted of fatally shooting fifth husband Jimmy Don Beets nearly 17 years ago and burying his body under a flower garden, was the victim of years of domestic abuse and should be allowed to live. Yesterday the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans rejected an appeal that accused the state of not fol- lowing its own rules in reviewing Beets' case. The arguments were dis- missed Wednesday by a federal judge in Austin as a delay tactic. Beets' lawyers also took the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court, which rejected it without comment. According to the governor's office, Bush had received 2,108 phone calls and letters opposing Beets' execution by yesterday afternoon, and 57 calls and letters favoring it. "A decision to stay the execution of Ms. Beets would demonstrate your compassionate conservatism and that you are willing to do what is right even in the face of potential criticism from your constituents," the Rev. Jesse Jackson wrote Bush yesterday. Steven Hawkins, executive director of the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, implored to Bush grant a reprieve "so evidence of her being battered ... may be fully evaluat- ed. "Far from receiving careful consid- eration, the role of domestic abuse in Betty's crime has been continually swept under the rug by the Texas court system," Hawkins said. Before Beets, the last woman exe- cuted in Texas was Karla Faye Tuck- er, on Feb. 3, 1998. Tucker hacked two people to death with a pickax but said she had a religious conver- sion in prison and appealed for mercy. Bush was criticized for mocking Tucker in a magazine inter- view last year. More gas price hikes on the horizon WASHINGTON -Already facing sticker shock at the gas pumps, motorists likely will experience more price jolts this spring and summer, energy experts said yesterday. With crude oil prices high and supplies low, refiners are not producing as much gasoline as normal, a recipe for costlier fill-ups in the months ahead. "There's going to be some finger-pointing if we enter the summer with $2-a4 gallon gasoline," predicted Sen. Frank Murkowski (R-Alaska), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. While heating oil prices are beginning to ease, the Energy Department said similar price spikes could flare in the summer, a heavy driving time, and' the American Automobile Association warned of possible short supplies then. Many motorists are paying nearly $1.50 a gallon and even $2 for regular gaso- line, according to various studies. The national average this week was $1.41, a nickel higher than the week earlier. "We will likely see even higher prices this spring," John Cook, petroleum director at the Energy Information Administration, testified. Cook said low inventories of crude oil and heating and diesel stocks, com* bined with soaring crude prices, led to the extremely sharp and sudden price increases in heating oil late January and early February. HOCKEY Continued from Page 1 school here," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "This is why you come to Michigan is to play in games like this. These are the most fun games, and the games you remember as a player when your career is over." Tonight's game will be the first meeting between the two teams since Jan. 7, when Michigan came away with a 2-0 victory. The game, which ended in an all-out bench-clearing brawl, is still fresh in the memory of both teams. "We know what went on last time we played and they know it too," Michigan center Mike Comrie said. "Both teams still have that in the back of their mind and we'll both probably use it as a motivator. They're a good team and we know that. We've got to bring our A game if we want to win." The two teams will go at it again on tomorrow night in a non-conference game at Joe Louis Arena. Although the game will have no bearing on con- ference standings, it may play a role in the way NCAA Tournament selection committee seeds the two teams in next month's tournament. But standings and rankings take the role of the undercard in a hated rivalry like the one these two teams share. Tomorrow night's game between these two mwi heavyweights will provide tonight's loser with one last chance for redemption, and a chance to throw one last punch before the post season begins. "The game on Friday is a huge game for both teams, but the game on Saturday is a huge game to the team that loses on Friday," Berenson said. "Our point of emphasis is that we need, to play the best Michigan hockey we've played this sea- son. Offensively, defensively, special teams - all the little things need to go our way. If we do that the game should end up in our favor, but they're saying the same thing. They have to have their best game to beat us and we have to have our best game to beat them." DIVERSITY Continued from Page 1 exemplifies the fact that the United States is still not a place where inte- gration is practiced rightfully. "At the highest moment of its authori- ty, the Supreme Court said that where there is separate, there can never be equal ... In the 1960s, the fight to inte- grate higher education had never been inferiority-based on science, but on social inequality," she said. Rackham student William Copeland initiated a 19-second silence period followed by a 19-second cheering ses- sion to recognize each day the Stu- dents of Color Coalition has occupied the Michigan Union Tower in protest of the senior honor society Michiga- mua. Copeland said the University's pas- sivity in resolving the SCC's concerns surrounding Michigamua represents the University's stance that "it has more pressing issues than answering to the public folk." But first-year Law student David Boyle said he believes yesterday's rally to fight for affirmative action is not entirely a reflection of SCC's attack on Michigamua. "It's not exactly the same issue, but it is related to the amount of respect that the University is paying to minorities," he said. Boyle added that the tower occupa- tion may be the result of the Universi- ty's failure to respond to students' concerns about minority issues. "If the University paid more attention to the drop in minority enrollment, the tower takeover may not have happened in the first place," he said. After the rally members delivered a petition signed by 2,500 students demanding increased enrollment of underrepresented minorities as well as an agenda of concerns for the Univer- sity to address. Included in their agenda was Michiga- mua's right to exist as a student group at the University and the fact that black enrollment for incoming freshmen dropped 10.4 percent in Fall 1998 to Fall 1999, according to University records. Peacekeeper role has said he expe problem to be r could have more risk possibly without ments. WASHINGTON - NATO's France, whose p struggle for ethnic calm in north- charge of the et ern Kosovo has raised the stakes Mitrovica area, is for U.S. involvement in a peace- 600 to 700 more trc keeping operation that has no end in sight. Plan could The 22nd Marine Expeditionary , Unit, aboard ships in the Mediter- Medicare ranean, is standing by as potential U.S. reinforcements, although Pen- WASHINGTON tagon spokesman Kenneth Bacon administration rene said yesterday that NATO comman- a Medicare overha ders have not asked for the Senate Republican Marines. substantially incre Expanding the U.S. troop presence costs for retirees. in Kosovo would raise the risk for a The plan could d force that has largely escaped casual- miums up by as mu ties. not including extra In Washington and other allied cap- prescription drug be itals, there is no appetite for a major letter from Health a additional buildup of troops in Koso- Department actuary vo. But NATO feels it cannot let The letter, dated the flare-up of ethnic violence in time for Democra the city of Mitrovica go unan- distribute it at a Se swered. mittee hearing yes Defense Secretary William Cohen legislation was und AROUND THE WORLD U.N. aproves Congo brooke has said th( not provide troop: cease-tre monioitoring logistical support. Many council n cts the Mitrovica esolved shortly, t U.S. reinforce- eacekeepers are in hnically divided preparing to send* pops to the area.w Iincrease premiums q -- The Clinton wed its criticism of ul plan favored by s, saying it would ease out-of-pocket drive Medicare pre- ch as 47 percent - charses for a new nefit, according to a nd Hunian Services Richard Foster. Feb. 23, arrived in atic lawmakers to nate Finance Com- sterday, where the er discussion. e United States will s but may provide members recognize UNITED NATIONS - Half a that sending such a small mission to a year after six nations and three rebel country a quarter the size of the United groups signed a cease-fire on Congo, States with few roads and poor commu- the U.N. Security Council yesterday nications may not be militarily effective authorized a 5,500-strong observer but can be politically important. force to monitor its implementation and lay the groundwork for possible Pope visits Egypt, deployment of a peacekeeping force. P p iisEt The former combatants are already denounces violence pressing for the United Nations to send peacekeepers, but the Security CAIRO, Egypt - Denouncing Council first wants the opposing sides violence in the name of religion a- to honor the cease-fire. "an offense against God," Pope The 15-member council unani- John Paul II called for tolerance mously agreed to the U.S.-drafted yesterday as he began a visit to resolution to send 500 military Egypt, where clashes between Mus- observers, supported by 5,037 lims and Christians recently left 23 security troops and logistics per- people dead. sonnel. In beginning his pilgrimage to The group will verify that all par- retrace some of the epic passages ties are observing last summer's from the Bible, John Paul became cease-fire aimed at ending a 1 1/2- the first Roman Catholic pope to year war in Congo that has destabi- visit predominantly Islamic Egypt. lized central Africa. U.S. Ambassador Richard Hol- - Compiledfrom Daily wire reports. The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967) is published Monday through Friday during the fall and winter terms by students at the University of Michigan. Subscriptions for fall term, starting in September, via U.S. mail are- $100. Winter term (January through April) is $105, yearlong (September through April) is $180. On-campus subscriptions for fall term are $35. Subscriptions must be prepaid. The Michigan Daily is a member of the Associated Press and the Associated collegiate Press. ADDRESS: The Michigan Daily, 420 Maynard St., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1327. PHONE NUMBERS (All area code 734): News 76-DAILY; Arts 763-0379$ Sports 647-3336: Opinion 764-0552: circulation 764-0558; classified advertising 764-0557; Display advertiking 764-0554: Billing 764-0550. E-mail letters to the editor to daily.letters@umich.eda. World Wide Web: www.michigandaily.com. NEWS Jewel Gopwani, Managing Editor EDITORS: Nick Bunkley, Michael Grass, Nika Schulte, Jaimie Winkler STAFF: Lindsey Alpert. Jeannie Baumann. Risa Berrin, Marta Brill, Charles Chen, Anna Clark, Adam Brian Cohen, Shabnam Daneshvar. Sana Danish. Nikita Easley. Dave Enders, len Fish, Josie Gingrich, Anand Giridharadas, Robert Gold, Krista Gillo, David Jenkins, Elizabeth Kassab, Jodie Kaufman, Yael Kohen, Lisa Koivu, Karolyn Kokko. Dan Krauth. Hanna LoPatin. Tiffany Maggard, Kevin Magnuson. Caitlin Nish, Kelly O'Connor, Jeremy W. Peters. Katie Plona, Jennifer Sterling, Shomari Terrelonge-Stone, Jennifer Yachnin, Jon Zemke. CALENDAR: Jaimie Winkler. EDITORIAL Emily Achenbaum, Editor ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Ryan DePietro, Nicholas Woomer STAFF: Ryan Blay, Michelle Bolek. Kevin Clune, Josh Cowen, Chip Cullen, Peter Cunniffe, Seth Fisher. Lea Frost, Jenna Greditor, Kyle Goodridge. Ethan Johnson, Heather Kamins, Molly Kennedy, Jonathan Kinkel, Cortney Konner, Jeffrey Kosseff, Thomas Kuljurgis, Erin McQuinn, Del Mendez, Camille Noe, Elizabeth Pensier, Erin Podolsky, Branden Sanz, Jack Schillaci, Jim Secreto, Jeb Singer, Waj Syed, Katie Tibaldi. Josh Wickerham, Dave Wallace, Paul Wong. SPORTS David Den Herder, Managing Editor SENIOR EDITORS: Chris Duprey, Mark Francescutti, Chris Grandstaff, Stephanie Offen, Jacob Wheeler NIGHT EDITORS: Geoff Gagnon, Raphael Goodstein, Arun Gopal, Michael Kern. Ryan C. Moloney. Uma Subramanian. STAFF: T. J. Berka, Rohit Bhave, Sam Duwe, Dan Dingerson, David Edelman, Sarah Ensor, Rick Freeman, Brian Galvin, Ron Garber, Richard Haddad, David Horn, Josh Kleinbaum, Dena Krischer. Andy Latack, David Mosse, Jeff Phillips, David Roth, Jon Schwartz, Benjamin Singer, Jeb Singer, Joe Smith, Brian Steere, Dan Williams. ARTS - Christopher Cousino, Managing Editor ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Gabe Fajuri, Chris Kula WEEKEND, ETC. EDITORS: Toyin Akinmusuru, Jeff Druchniak SUB-EDITORS: Matthew Barrett (Film), Jenni Glenn (Fine/Performing Arts), Ben Goldstein (Books), Caitlin Hall (TV/New Media), John IJhl (Music) STAFF: Gautam Baksi, Eduardo Baraf, Nick Broughteri, Jason Birchmeier, Nick Falzone, Laura Flyer, Andy Klein, Anika Kohon, Jacarl Melton, Lane Meyer, Joshua Pederson, Erin Podolsky, David Reamer, Aaron Rich, Adlin Rosli, Neshe Sarkozy, Jim Schiff, David Victor, Ted Watts. PHOTO Louis Brown, Dana Linnane, Editor ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Sam Hollenshead, Jessica Johnson, David Rochkind STAFF: Kristen Goble, Danny Kalick. David Katz, Malore Marshall, Jeremy Menchick, Joanna Paine. Sara Schenck, Alex Wolk, Kimitsu Yogachi ONLINE Toyin Akinmusuru, Paul Wong, Managing Editors EDITOR: Rachel Berger STAFF: Alexandra Chmielnicki, Dana Goldberg, Jenna Hirschman, Vince Sust, Peter Zhou. DESIGNER: Seth Benson CONSULTANT: Satadru Pramanik I'' FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCHi One church, two locations Downtown 120 South State Street 662-4536 SUNDAY: Worship at 9:30 and 11:00 am Green Wood Location 1001 Green Road 665-8558 SATURDAY: Upbeat Worship at 5:00 pm PJ'S RECORDS & USED CDS 617 Packard Upstairs from Subway Paying $4 to $6 /L avaincaa.amrr ITIOUM J. IIMIUMFU7 OUbIllebs manager A