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Show ThurMia. Auoist NATION Feds take on The Assoeiated By MIKE ROBINSON Press If- The Associated Press AUSTIN, Texas George W. Bush testily refused to answer CHICAGO Federal prosecutors have launched what they called the nation's first concerted attack on suburban gun dealers who arm city gangs, announcing charges Wednesday against 13 buyers and sellers. Owners and employees of five suburban gun shops and two of the shops themselves were accused of supplying guns to "straw purchasers" with clean police records who were standing in for the actual buy- i ' ', questions Wednesday about whether he had ever used illegal drugs. Rumors about his personal life, he said, are "ridiculous and absurd," possibly planted by political opponents. "You know what happens? Somebody floats a rumor and that causes you to ask a question," Rush said, interrupting a reporter who said she was trying to ask who might be planting such rumors. "And that's the game in American politics, and I refuse I :S?v'a:V"i:;-,S5- j ers. Authorities say gang members with long rap sheets use the method to get around state laws barring convicted criminals from buying guns. While handgun sales are illegal within Chicago's city limits, officials say the gangs can get them easily in nearby If suburbs. Despite its handgun sales ban, Chicago is awash in gun violence, much of it attributed street gangs to with thousands of members, such as the Gangster Disciples and the Vice Lords. ? rOl, a CHARLES BKNNK I T The Associated Press Evidence: U.S. Attorney Scott R. Lassar displays some of the guns confiscated during Project Surefire at a news conference in Chicago Wednesday. Lasser announced nine indictments resulting from the operation which represented the first concerted attack on suburban gun shops that furnish arms to gangs responsible for hundreds of homicides. g city-base- d ACLU files suit over school drug testing policy school's core legally required function the education of its students," the lawsuit said. An for the attorney Tecum seh School District and the superintendent did not return calls for comment. The district's drug-testinpolicy applies to any student who wishes to participate in extracurricular activities, athletic or academic. One of the plaintiffs, Lindsay Earls, had to take a urine test to join the choir, inarching band and quiz bowl team. The ACLU said that if she refused, her only other way of fulfilling the school's arts requirement would be to take ceramics or music appreciation, which are not as challenging and would not look as good on her college applications. By JAY HUGHES The Associated Press OKLAHOMA CITY The American Civil Liberties Union federal lawsuit Wednesday challenging a school a g drug-testin- g just athletes but also students who take part in such activities as the debate team, choir and marching band. The ACLU said the lawsuit is the first in the nation to challenge mandatory testing of stuin dents who participate not extracurricular activities that are tied to their courses during the regular school day. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of two high school juniors in Tecuinseh, a small town 35 miles southeast of Oklahoma City. ! iVu. I). t !ah 1' The other plaintiff, Daniel James, said he had already as pledged to remain drug-frea member of a peer counseling group and objected to having to take a drug test to join the quiz bowl team. ACLU attorney Graham Boyd said the district suspended enforcement of the drug policy Tuesday night, after he contacted the district about the planned lawsuit. The U.S. Supreme Court last year refused to hear a challenge to an Indiana high e to play it," he said. "That is a game. And you just fell for the trap. And I refuse to play." Since his first campaign for Texas governor in 1991, Bush has declined to answer some questions about his past. "When I was young and irresponsible, I behaved young and irresponsibly," is his answer. Bush's refusal to directly few LLn bid. Bush has steered clear of the drug question, saying he believes voters are weary of what he called "the politics of personal a bar students from some classes for which they earn credit. "For instance, a student can take the choir class only if she also participates in the extracurricular choir activities. Thus the drug testing policy effectively applies to parts of a public i n r said questions," 1 : Bush spokesman Scott McClellan. "He is going to take this on and say 'enough is enough.' If that leads to mistaken assumptions about his past, that's fine with him. He's not going to itemize for the children of Ask the public According to an opinio poll taken earlier this yey, Americans are about evenl divided on the question t whether the public needs t know about a candidate', drug use in the past. Juq', over half said "yes" in thr ' Today February CNN-USGallup poll. McClellan said. During Wednesday's and they're absurd and the people of America are sick and OF WALLPAPER WAREHOUSE STORE HOURS SATURDAY 10AU 7PM 10AM 7PM PROVO FREE IMTE1EST PH. VISA - MASTERCARD mattress BEST Illimp OREM iinr mr 'til; ssftn i 1700 NO. STATE CLOSES SUNDAY - '' VF MAKT TTfF. WORI FOR LESS WE SIMPLY SELL . White House in 3992, also facw questions about drug use. "When I was in Hngland experimented with marijuana time or two and didn't like it. Clinton said. "I didn't mhal and I didn't try it again." It was Clinton's first dim public acknowledgment that b ever tried illegal drugs. Ik't'oi that, he'd always responded L i questions about drug use r saying that he never violat'-i- ; state or federal laws. MATTRESS CENTER g ffl that." Forbes' political directm Hill Dal Col, said the cum paign "never made the accus:; tion, and no we don't gci involved in the rumor game. Asked whether Forbes ever used illegal drugs. Dal (' .1 said, "No." Clinton, while seeking destruction." The Bush campaign says the governor believes there is a line to be drawn between legitimate questions about his record and some other inquiries. "Important facts that people deserve to know about are how he's fulfilled his duties as governor, father, husband and employer. Those are relevant A DIVISION school's policy of drug-testinall students in extracurricular activities. However, ACLU officials said the Tecumseh policy is different because of the way it can force students to drop out of academic classes. It ' i i presidential George Buih DISCOVER - AMERICAN PROVO, UT. 375-272- 1 EXPRESS Overstock of Digital Pianos mm A e Z7 years. since launching his exchange, Bush did not say who he thought was planting rumors. "Do I think they're being planted? I know they're being planted. And they're ridiculous Clinton-Monic- Didn't inhale Asked whether his eampai;r ' earlier had pointed to the cant paign of millionaire pubhshe Steve Forties as a source t. rumors. Bush replied, "I don remember, I don't rememlu But Baton Rouge, La. "I made some mistakes years ago," he said. "But I learned from my mistakes." Bush has said that, upon turning 40, he quit drinking alcohol. And in the wake of the late-nigh- said. been faithful to his wife of more than 20 America and his daughters, who are watching, everything he did or not do in the past," The suit does not challenge the testing of athletes or students suspected of drug use. In the lawsuit, the ACLU says refusal to take a drug test would has said he's v - answer the drug question has become, the fodder for jokes on t television. It continued to dog him as he campaigned later Wednesday in President tired of this kind of politic And I'm not participating," U' ljewinsky scandal, Bush By MICHAEL HOLMES district's policy of K Presidential candidate refuses to answer reporter's questions who help gangs filed Till DAILY HI Bush rips question on drug use gun dealers drug-sellin- I. J--U T SALE GOOD AUGUST 19, 20 & 21" ONLY "Kickin' I with CMMU1F CRUXff (5:30-- 9 6 OWN TM A.M.) f MSCDOIDnXDM - t"1-- -- 'w I I greattion Direct from England, a of Dr. Martens' Shoes and Boots. Premium leathers, rnmfnrt anri hand crafted quality., ' full-grai- n 7 " I "Ns " n r " L - :':''. . J v 1 1 i I m '.'.V.piH:.'- -' V Yamaha Digital Pianos Starting at mm OKW or only Zzitmo. Trades Welcome, Dealers Welcome, Special Financing Available -,- I v-- r VISA r rr " . 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