I The Behrend Beacon
Iraq insurgents adopt chemical weapons use
BAGHDAD, Iraq: Raids conducted by multinational forces in Iraq this week discovered a troubling
trend: indications that Iraqi insurgents are expanding their standard arsenal to include chemical
weapons
U.S. military commanders in Iraq confirmed that coalition troops had discovered "bomb factories"
that contained machine and assembly tools used to fabricate car bombs and other explosive devices.
The raids became more urgent after three or four bombings in the last week included chlorine gas to
harm bystanding civilians and rescue workers after the initial attack.
"The unit discovered numerous artillery rounds, mortar rounds, bombs, rockets, gutted anti-aircraft
shells, a pickup truck and three other vehicles that were already in various stages of preparations as
car bombs as well as much detonation material," said Lieutenant General Ray Odierno, commander
of the Iraq Multinational Corps. "We also found ingredients to be used to devise or enhance explo
sives, such as fertilizer and chlorine cylinders. We also found the various components of a metal shop,
including welders, burner stoves, circular saws, sanders and other items needed to build explosive
devices."
Chlorine is a highly toxic gas that was first used as a weapon in World War I. That insurgents in
Iraq are now willing to use such weapons is a cause for concern because it can easily cause large
numbers of casualties in densely populated civilian areas.
Salmonella contaminated peanut butter sickens almost 300, kills 1
OMHA, NEB. A recent outbreak of salmonella found in certain brands of peanut butter has
caused the Centers for Disease Control to conduct open testing of all the Con Agra brands of peanut
butter. Last week the federal health officials made the connection between the 300 sick individuals
and the contaminated peanut butter, which then forced Con Agra to recall all of the Peter Pan and
Great Value peanut butter that was made at its Sylvester plant in Georgia. Although no deaths have
been proven related to the salmonella poisoning, several cases are being investigated. The salmo
nella is said to have been present in the jars of peanut butter since last August, causing people all
across the nation to be affected.
On Thursday Gary Rodkin, chief executive of Omaha-based Con Agra said, "We are truly sorry
for any harm that our peanut butter products may have caused." It is still uncertain how the peanut
butter got contaminated or how traces of bird and animal feces got into it.
The Barkay family of Pennsylvania claims several members of their family were affected by the
poisoning, resulting in the death of Roberta Barkay. The Barkay's are now filing a lawsuit against
From left to right Behrend THON dancers and directors, Daniel Frankel, Erica Zinsser, Mike
Mclean. Kathleen Vanderkolk, Vicky Straub, and Erin Kiesel.
Comedian Elliot Chang entertains the crowd Tuesday in McGarvey Commons
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Mike Sharkey/THE BEHREND BEACON
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Half-ton squid caught near New Zealand
WELLINGTON, New Zealand: A professional fishing crew hunting Patagonian toothfish
accidentally snared what could be by far the largest colossal squid ever caught.
New Zealand Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton noted that the squid was nearly 40 feet long
and weighed at least 990 pounds, over 300 pounds heavier than the previous largest colossal
squid to be captured.
"The squid was still eating a hooked toothfish when it was hauled from the deep," said
Anderton. "Scientists will be very interested in this amazing creature as it adds immeasurably
to our understanding of the marine environment."
Official measurements of the massive squid have not yet been made, but several deep-ocean
researchers can't wait to get a look at it.
"I can assure you that this is going to draw phenomenal interest. It is truly amazing," said
squid expert Dr. Steve O'Shea of the Auckland University of Technology.
Another expert joked that if the squid was sectioned to make calamari rings for food, the
normally bite-sized pieces would be roughly the size of a tractor tire.
The colossal squid, which prefers the cold waters in or near Antarctica, is unrelated to the
giant squid, which prefers slightly warmer deep water elsewhere.
Con Agra for the wrongful-death and negligence, which they claim caused the death of Mrs.
Barkay. According to the family's lawyer, Rob Peirce, Roberta Barkay, 76, was hospitalized due to
extreme gastrointestinal problems, which developed into a bacterial infection. Mrs. Barkay died on
January 30. William Barkay was also sick with similar symptoms towards the end of 2006, short
ly after the family purchased the contaminated peanut butter. Peirce said while their daughter was
home for her mother's funereal, she also ate the peanut butter, which caused her to become sick as
well. The family is seeking unspecified damages.
According to Stephanie Childs, Con Agra spokeswoman, there are at least four other lawsuits
claiming negligence caused by the salmonella found in their peanut butter.
Behrend students continued from page 1
Dancers gathered in the Intramural Building before making their way to the Bryce Jordan Center through
the "human tunnel." Students lined the route from the IM Building to the BJC to pump up the dancers.
Mclean had never been to BJC before he arrived for THON. but when he stepped onto the floor for the first
time, "It was unbelievable. Seeing all the organizations and with matching shirts, it was unbelievable."
Dancing for 46 straight hours can he rough. "At first I didn't want to be a dancer, but over Thanksgiving
break, my grandfather died from cancer. That really inspired me and kept me going for the 46 hours,"
Mclean said.
Penn State President Graham Spanier said that this year's THON is "the best yet. - "We have a wonder
ful amount of space, support service and everyone seems happy to be here." President Spanier said. "It's
wonderful, and the families and everyone can be in one space together. -
Sophomore Jennifer DiNardo said. "I was afraid that it (the BJC) was going to feel empty, but it wasn't
at all. It feels like it belongs there, there was more room so everyone could enjoy it. - DiNardo was intro
duced to THON by her teammates of the Lionettes Dance Team. "They told me it was amazing and it
would change my life."
Unlike Mclean, DiNardo was not a dancer but a member of a Morale Committee. Members of these
committees are assigned to one or two dancers. They take care of their dancer throughout the two days by
bringing them small gifts and keep their spirits up. "We basically keep everything positive," DiNardo said.
A highlight for almost all of the participants is the Line Dance. The Line Dance is done once an hour,
therefore 46 times during THON, and it is a dance that incorporates current events and stories as a way to
unify all the participants at one time and have some fun.
As the weekend came to a close and the record-breaking total amount of $5,240,385.17 was announced,
the BJC was filled with tears, claps, and chants of "For The Kids!"
City Council continued from page 1
Rouch says he believes his team is on the right track with their plans to expand businesses and
to bring new businesses to the area. "Our job is to keep companies in other areas aware of the
new buildings being built, so they can bring their businesses to Erie. We also help the small
businesses already in the area expand and grow," says Rouch. "This will hopefully be just
what Erie needs to stay alive."
Erie City Council will continue the discussion of this zoning resolution during the next
meeting on Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
"Manners. are like the shadows of
virtues; they are the momentary dis
play of those qualities which our
fellow creatures love and respect."
Janet Neff Sample Center
for Manners' Civility
Friday, February 23, 2007
Source: CNN.com, Yahoo! News
- Sydney Smith