4A THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
STATE
FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2006
Senate: Protests not indicative
TOPEKA — A Senate committee wants to send a strong message that the Rev. Fred Phelps and his followers, who picket funerals of U.S. soldiers, don't represent how Kansans feel.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A message may be all the Legislature produces against people picketing and protesting funerals, although the Senate last week unanimously passed a bill restricting such activities.
The bill is before House Federal and State Affairs Committee, and Chairman John Edmonds said Wednesday he will decide within the next two weeks whether to schedule a hearing.
Meanwhile, the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee endorsed a resolution on Wednesday saying the Legislature "condemnns in the strongest manner possible the hateful activities of Mr. Phelps and his followers."
hearing.
"I don't know if I want to create a forum for more outrage, but I may have to," said Edmonds, R-Great Bend. "We know what's in the bill. If there is a hearing, it'll be a short one."
The resolution, which goes to the Senate and has no force of law, also says legislators want the nation to know "that Mr. Phelps and his followers do not reflect the true spirit of the people of Kansas."
Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt predicted easy passage of the resolution.
Sponsoring Sen. Karin Brownlee, R-Olathe, called the resolution "a countering statement to Phelps' actions."
"This all gives Kansas a black eye, and we just want to make it clear that the state really is embarrassed by it and objects to it, even if we can't stop it," said Schmidt, R-Independence.
In one statement Wednesday,
The bill doesn't single out Phelps or his followers, but was prompted by their protests at soldiers' funerals around the nation.
America is about "They're coming home in body bags," the statement said, referring to soldiers. "Now God Himself is America's terrorist."
Phelps' church, Westboro Baptist in Topeka, said the resolution caused him to "dance a little impromptu jig" of joy, adding that he counts the measure as "a badge of honor."
Kansas is among at least 17 states working on legislation this year restricting protest activities around funerals, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Phelps and his followers contend that troops killed in combat are God's vengeance for the U.S. harboring homosexuals. For years, Phelps and members of his independent church, made up mainly of family members, protested funerals of AIDS victims, but now have shifted to soldiers.
The bill doesn't single out Phelps or his followers, but was prompted by their protests at soldiers' funerals around the nation.
badge of honor. "Pastor Phelps and WBC will redouble their Gospel preaching efforts," the statement said.
In an earlier statement faxed Wednesday to news organizations, Phelps' church said, "America is doomed."
The bill bans picketing and protest marches within 300 feet of a funeral one hour before, during and two hours after the service. Violations would be a misdemeanor. State law says only that it's illegal to picket "before or about" a funeral service.
Look what my robot can do!
James Bley, McPherson graduate student, demonstrates a robot on Thursday afternoon that he programmed in his Mobile Robotics class. The class, which is taught by Professor Arvin Agah, was showing off its robots's abilities.
Glitter denies abuse charges
PEOPLE
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
VUNG TAU, Vietnam — British glam rocker Gary Glitter, best-known for the anthemic "Rock & Roll, Part 2" song played at sports arenas worldwide, said he pleaded innocent Thursday to charges of molesting two young Vietnamese girls at his house last year.
Glitter, 61, is accused of committing obscene acts with an 11-year-old girl and a 10-year-old girl at his rented house in the southern port city of Vung Tau.
Glitter, 61, is accused of committing obscene acts with an 11-year-old girl and a 10-year-old girl at his rented house in the southern port city of Vung Tau. He entered the courtroom flashing a "V" for victory sign and saying he was innocent.
Glitter, who won fame in the 1970s with such hits as "Do You Wanna Touch Me," faces three
to seven years in prison if convicted.
Dozens of curious onlookers crowded outside the gates of the courthouse as the armored police carrying Glitter van drove up.
The singer, whose real name is Paul Francis Gadd, was escorted by police through reporters into the yellow concrete courthouse in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. The trial is closed to the public, but a verdict is expected to be read publicly Friday.
Tau since November. Glitter was escorted out of the court for a lunch break after 3 1/2 hours of testimony. Reporters outside asked him if the girls were lying and if he pleaded innocent, and he nodded yes in response to both.
Glitter had been held at Phuoc Co prison outside Vung
When testimony ended for the day, Glitter was led out of the courtroom, smiling but refusing to comment. Defense attorney Le Thanh Kinh said prosecutors presented their case and recommended that Glitter be sentenced to three to four years in prison before being deported.
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Jazz
Justin White, St. Louis graduate student, will direct one of the jazz ensembles in the festival and said the event was a special experience for anyone interested in jazz.
"The festival has great jazz performances, great concerts, and it's a chance to learn from some of the best jazz musicians in the world," he said. "I think all jazz lovers will get something out of it."
The concerts featuring middle school, high school and college ensembles will take place between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. in Murphy Hall and are free to the public. The nighttime entertainment will consist of professional jazz players along with members of the KU jazz ensembles and jazz singers, which will range from $10 to $15.
Edited by James Foley
ANIME
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
Smith said that last year's Nakakon was the first Kansas anime
convention he knew of. More conventions are coming to the Midwest though. Wichita has one scheduled for August. Last
Guest speakers will include anime voice actors Greg Ayres and Caitlin Glass.
November an anime convention at the University of Nebraska attracted hundreds of fans from as far away as Kansas City according to the Daily Nebrask.
Guest speakers will include anime voice actors Greg Ayres and Caitlin Glass. Steve Bennett, co-founder of manga publisher Studio Ironcat, will host a panel on Web comics and speak about anime artwork.
Tickets for the convention can be picked up at the Union Saturday or Sunday. Rates are $30 for the weekend, $20 for Saturday and $15 for Sunday.
- Edited by John Jordan
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