THE UNIVERSITY DAIRY KANSAN THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2006
NEWS
》 STEVE IRWIN
3A
Father of 'Crocodile Hunter'says his son knew of the risks; fans visit zoo
BY DENNIS PASSA
ASSOCIATED PRESS
BEERWAH, Australia — "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, killed in a stingray attack this week, knew the risks involved in his work and often discussed the possibility he might die doing it, his father said Wednesday.
The 44-year-old star was being filmed for a new TV program as he swam with a stingray on the Great Barrier Reef Monday when it lashed out with its tail, plunging a poisonous barb into his chest. He died within minutes.
In the first public comments by Irwin's family since the tragedy, Bob
twin, who started the wildlife park that his son turned into a major tourist attraction, said both were aware of the inherent dangers of their occupation.
"Both of us over the years have had some very close shaves and we both approached it the same way, we made jokes about it," he said. "That's not to say we were careless. But we treated it as part of the job. Nothing to worry about really."
Thousands of fans have flocked to Irwin's Australia Zoo wildlife park in Queensland state, creating a shrine of flowers, candles and written tributes. Stuffed animals poke out from between flags of Australia, the United States and England, and
some visitors signed and left khaki shirts similar to those worn by Irwin in lieu of a condolences book.
Bob Irwin, 66, thanked fans for their messages of support and reassured him his son had died doing what he loved.
Queensland Premier Peter Beatte has offered a state funeral, and Prime Minister John Howard said that would be appropriate, calling Irwin a great ambassador for Australia. But Bob Irwin said it wouldn't be what Steve wanted.
"He's an ordinary guy, and he wants to be remembered as an ordinary bloke," he said. "The state funeral would be refused."
Michael Hornby, the head of
one of Irwin's wildlife charities, Wildlife Warriors, said the star's wife, Terri Irwin, was considering the state funeral offer, but Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio later reported that she had decided against it.
Hornby said Terri Irwin was thinking about having a smaller, private ceremony at an Outback location and approving a separate large event at a stadium in the state capital, Brisbane.
He also urged people to be careful in sending donations to iTwins charities as a tribute, saying two or three bogus Web sites had been set up attempting to divert some of the money.
Separately, Irwin's manager and close friend John Stainton said the videotape showing him being fatally stabbed should never be publicly aired.
"It should be destroyed," Stainton told CNN's "Larry King Live." He said he has seen the footage and it shows Irwin pulling the barb from his chest in his last moments.
The tape is in the possession of police as evidence for the coroner.
The Discovery Channel, which produced and aired Irwin's programs to a reported global audience of more than 200 million, said it will not show the footage.
Police have said there are no suspicious circumstances in Irwin's
death, and no decision has been made about whether a coroner will hold a formal inquest or simply accept the police findings. No formal cause of death has been announced.
Terri Irwin briefly addressed park staff late Tuesday over a public address system.
"She was very choked up. It was a very frail comment," Hornby told The Associated Press Wednesday. "But she wanted to say to the staff how grateful she was for their support and how much it meant to her."
Bob Irwin said he had just spent nearly a month with his son's family on Cape York in tropical northern Australia doing crocodile research.
》 TERRORISM
Two suspects added to alleged plot, eight released
BY DAVID STRINGER ASSOCIATED PRESS
LONDON — Authorities charged two more suspects Wednesday in an alleged plot to blow up passenger-laden jetliners bound for the United States, bringing to 17 the number formally charged.
Three other suspects were released. The five have been held for nearly 28 days without being charged — the maximum length of time allowed under Britain's new anti-terrorism laws.
Police said the two suspects, Donald Douglas Stewart Whyte and Muhammed Usman Saddique, 24, were charged with preparing an act of terrorism.
The five suspects were rounded up with about two dozen others in raids on Aug. 9-10 into the alleged plot to assemble and detonate improvised explosives on board as many as 10 U.S.-bound
planes carrying hundreds of passengers. Eight others have since been released.
The purported attack would have caused mass murder on an "unimaginable scale," police as said they announced arrests in early August — leading to major terror alerts in the United States and Britain, and causing major disruptions to air travel.
Eleven suspects have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and also with preparing acts of terrorism.
Whyte and Saddique are also charged with preparing terrorism acts. Four others are charged with lesser offenses, including withholding information about planned terrorism.
Prosecutor Colin Gibbs told a hearing at London's Central Criminal Court on Monday that 11 suspects facing the most serious charges would not be brought to trial before 2008 as officials sift through evidence from across the
world.
Investigators continue to study evidence including alleged explosive materials, computers, travel and phone records and other documents, Gibbs said.
Peter Clarke, London's chief counterterrorism detective, has disclosed that police seized hydrogen peroxide, bomb-making components and six martyrdom videos during searches of 70 homes, businesses, vehicles and open spaces, including a stretch of woods in High Wcombe.
British Home Secretary John Reid has signaled he now intends to seek parliamentary support to extend the maximum detention limit for people arrested on suspicion of terrorism beyond 28 days
Lawmakers agreed on the limit last December, after Prime Minister Tony Blair failed to persuade legislators to agree to a 90-day detention period — his first ever defeat in Britain's House of Commons.
VETERANS (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
Hoyt also pointed out another problem. Because veterans are given their current month's money at the beginning of the following month, they have trouble paying for things like books at the beginning of each semester.
He said he wanted the KU book- stores to offer a 90-day credit so veterans could receive their books on time, then pay for them after the GI Bill arrived. He said that Wichita State University had a system like this in place and that he would attempt to implement this plan through the group.
Hoyt said he talked to several veteran students who were interested in joining the group, which is open to anyone regardless of veteran status. About 15 people are now interested. Hoyt said.
Joan Hahn, assistant registrar at the University, said approximately 250 students attending the University were eligible for veterans' benefits.
University veterans will be honored during the festivities before the Sept. 9 football game against Louisiana-Monroe at Memorial Stadium.
Kansan staff writer Erin Castanea can be contacted at ecastaneda@kansan.com.
Edited by Travis Robinett
ELECTIONS (CONTINUED FROM 1A)
McGonigle is a journalism student and works as an intern in the Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' election office. He was inspired to run for Student Senate because many of the issues are important to him. He wants to make progress on wireless Internet, cheaper textbooks and accountability for student fees.
Toland was involved in student council, chess club, cross country and tennis at Iola High School. He is a journalism major and wanted
to become a senator to learn more about student government. As a senator, Toland would like to focus on improving parking.
Wilcox is a pre-med student and member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He ran for a position to have an opportunity to work with his fellow classmates and experience Student Senate. He said he was excited to be a part of the decision-making process.
Zeigler is an economics and
international studies major and a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She said she wanted to become a senator to be involved and make a difference. She said she hoped to address on-campus safety concerns.
Kansan staff writer Nate McGinnis can be contacted at nmcginnis@kansan.com.
- Edited by Natalie Johnson
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
Alternative Breaks
September 7,2006
Want to meet people?
Want to travel?
Want to volunteer?
Due Tomorrow, September 8th 425 Kansas Union in the Student Involvement and Leadership Center
Weekend and Winter Applications
Download applications at groups.ku.edu/~albreaks
PAID FOR BY KU
funded by:
STUDENTS
SENATE
You'll be sure to score a touchdown at the best kosher BBQ on the hill.
3:00pm - 5:45pm
The only kosher BBQ on the Hill returns before KU beats up on the University of Louisiana-Monroe at Memorial Staduim.
KU Hillel
KU CULTURAL INDIA CLUB
TIME TO PUT ON YOUR DANCE SHOES
Clinton Lake Fall Picnic
AT BLOOMINGTON PARK
2:00PM SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th 2006
Gone and enjoy the last days of
summer with some fun in the
$4.60 FOR NON-MEMBERS
Come and enjoy the last days of
summer with some fun in the
sun. There will be:
A great shelter with a beach,
grills and a volleyball court
Pizza, hotdogs, burgers,
drinks
Bus ride from Colony Woods
Beach volleyball, football,
Friables, cricket
Please call or e-mail us in advance to take the bus. Curs are welcome to follow us to the park
Swetha Maganti (913) 710-5214
Priyanka Raut; praun@lau.edu
ABLEHAWKS
BAYURUM DANCE CLUB
Attention Student Groups:
If your student organization is registered with the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, you may get FREE ADVERTISING here in the Kansan through Student Senate!
YOUR AD HERE
Email chrisblackstone@ku.edu for more information
Student Senate needs students to fill open Senate seats!
Here are the seats that need to be filled
1 Residential Seat
1 Architecture Seat
2 Junior/Senior College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Seats
6 Graduate Seats
So if you are an architecture student, a graduate student, a student living in university housing, or a junior or senior in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, apply to become a Student Senator and improve KU!
Pick up an application in the Student Senate office, 410 Kansas Union Applications are due TOMORROW!
Email any questions to apetyne@ku.edu