People talk 6/16/03

Ali joins governor for museum flag-raising

PHILADELPHIA -- Boxing legend Muhammad Ali joined Gov. Ed Rendell in raising a well-traveled American flag at the National Constitution Center on Saturday, less than a month before the museum's scheduled public opening.

The flag, which has flown in all 50 state capitals, five U.S. territories and Washington, D.C. during the past several months, was unfurled at its final destination in the center's grand hall, said Joe Torsella, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center.

Ali's wife, Lonnie, spoke on behalf of the former heavyweight champion, who suffers from Parkinson's disease.

Former child star's name mistaken for terrorist's

LOS ANGELES -- David Nelson is not an easy name to have these days, even if you're a former child star.

The nationwide dragnet for terrorists across the country has caused men with this name to be pulled off airplanes, questioned by FBI agents and harassed when traveling by air.

Even the former child star of ABC-TV's "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" was stopped by a ticket agent at John Wayne Airport in Orange County in December while en route to visit his daughter in Salt Lake City.

Now a Newport Beach film producer, David Nelson, 66, told the Los Angeles Daily News that after airline ticket agents stopped him, two police officers quickly recognized him, and he was allowed to board his flight.

"I don't think (terrorists) have the middle name 'Ozzie,"' he recalled telling an agent.

Bea Arthur, PETA campaign against college

PORT ORANGE, Fla. -- An animal rights organization is receiving help from actress Bea Arthur in its criticism of animal research conducted by an area chiropractic school.

Dozens of employees at the three campuses of the Palmer Chiropractic University System received taped telephone messages Thursday from the star of former television shows "The Golden Girls" and "Maude."

Arthur said in the recordings that the Davenport, Iowa-based Palmer "mutilates" cats and asked its employees to oppose the school's chiropractic research. The calls were made on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

PETA's Web site urges supporters to contact Palmer officials. Employees at Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida, the branch in Port Orange, said PETA's campaign has led to dozens of "abusive" letters, e-mail messages and phone calls.

-- From wire reports