News Briefs, Friday, August 4, 2000

Former President Gerald R. Ford's health has been upgraded from serious to fair condition, doctors at Hahnemann University Hospital announced. Ford, 87, suffered two small strokes sometime before he checked himself in on August 2nd complaining of dizziness.

1,000 Firemen Protest Treatment of Hep-C Cases The 500 block of Market Street was blocked off mid-day August 3rd by a peaceful rally of mostly men in blue shirts denouncing the city's reluctant stance about the cases of emergency workers who have contracted hepatitus-C, presumably on the job. A few fire trucks, with "cherry pickers" extended, were on the scene, and police around the area took a decidedly more protective stance around this demonstration.

A "Major Moment" Actor Rick Schroder says he'll never forget his moment in the Republican spotlight, when he gave a speech at the convention. He enjoyed the experience, even though he only had 30 minutes before receiving the text of his speech.

A Little Humor
The Daily Show's Nancy Walls reports: "Some of the GOP education goals are very, very controversial. Listen to this one: 'making sure every child can read.' Now, that's going to be pretty unpopular with the powerful illiteracy lobby."
The Miami Herald's Dave Barry writes: "Rep. JC Watts ... is the most prominent African-American Republican in Congress, in the same sense that Ringo was the most prominent drummer in the Beatles."
Jon Stewart notes that George Bush was beamed into the convention by satellite from an Ohio classroom, with children at their desks behind him. "What this tells us is Bush is committed to education. So much so that he's willing to keep school children in class until 10:30 p.m. -- in August."

Wild Times: Police Now Say 369 Protesters Arrested Tuesday
Wednesday and Thursday were much quieter in Center City, although peaceful rallies for topics such as women's rights and a Free Mumia contingent continued. Police say they think they may have "disorganized" protesters who disrupted the streets Tuesday.
     Most demonstrators arrested were charged with misdemeanors, but 10 were charged with assaulting police. Fifteen officers were injured, including Police Commissioner John Timoney. One protester grabbed Timoney's bicycle and hit him and another officer with it. That officer was hospitalized for his injuries.

City Sets Up Beds for Protesters About 150 protesters are taking advantage of the cots, blankets, bathrooms and showers offered in Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park for RNC protesters. It is a show of good faith from the city, which responded to a request from protest groups.