It was pointed out to me that you need to sign into the Washington Post to access those stories. Though I am sure you ALL have Post profiles, I figured I should repost them for the benefit of those that don't as well as another additional story from today's post.
In the Loop
By Al Kamen
Friday, June 18, 2004; Page A27
Dead Dove Disaster:
This just in from BBC News! While Americans are preoccupied with investigations of world terrorism, other nations have different concerns.
So we find that "the Sri Lankan authorities have ordered an inquiry," the BBC reported, "after a dove-freeing ceremony intended to symbolize peace went disastrously wrong."
Seems "one bird was dead before takeoff and 'dropped like a brick,' " the BBC said, quoting its cameraman, Sriyantha Walpola, "soon after it left the hands of the public security minister, Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, at a ceremony last weekend."
And it wasn't as if a flock was taking off. Seems the poor bird was one of seven being released at a recent U.N. ceremony attended by Lt. Gen. James L. Campbell, commander of U.S. Army forces in the Pacific. His bird flew off quite smartly.
So "instead of soaring majestically into the air to symbolize the government's commitment to peace and goodwill," the BBC reported, the bird nose-dived to the ground.
Not to worry.
"A three-member delegation of the military police," led by an army major no less, has been called in "to investigate the mystery of the dead dove." They will look into the circumstances and try to see if there was any sabotage, a defense ministry spokesman said.
Sure, maybe it was the fault of Tamil Tiger separatists. Or maybe it was keeping the birds waiting for a half-hour in 90-degree heat and excessive humidity?
Clear as Mud:
Some folks in Congress are upset by our Saudi friends' occasional hallucinatory outbursts.
Crown Prince Abdullah -- remember, he's the enlightened one in the family, the one the Bush administration is counting on -- was shown on a tape obtained by NBC News blaming a recent wave of terrorist attacks on Zionists.
"Zionism is behind it," Abdullah said, through a translator. "It has become clear now. It has become clear to us," he said. "It is not 100 percent, but 95 percent that the Zionist hands are behind what has happened."
This might be a bit perplexing, since al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
But not to worry. Prince Nayef, the interior minister, explained what's going on. "Al Qaeda is backed by Israel and Zionism." Ah, but of course.
So Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) has circulated a "Dear Colleague" letter asking for House members to condemn these "scurrilous and inflammatory charges."
It was only a matter of time before people figured out those obvious ties between Osama bin Laden and Ariel Sharon.
Just think of it: A Zionist wave is sweeping the Arabian peninsula. Who knew?
Blind Man Drives Golf Cart in Ga. City
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. - A blind man drove a golf cart for two miles through the
winding streets of Peachtree City, accompanied by his guide dog - and an
inebriated friend giving instructions - before running into a parked car, police
said.
Nobody was hurt, but Samuel McClain, 35, of Stockbridge and Michael Johnston,
47, of Peachtree City were charged with reckless conduct "due to the blatant
disregard for public safety," a police report said.
The report said McClain was driving the cart Saturday while Johnston gave
directions after having six or seven beers and "admittedly under the influence
of alcoholic beverage." Also on the cart was McClain's golden re
tr
iever guide
dog.
The city of 34,000 about 25 miles south of Atlanta has about 80 miles of paved
cart paths and 9,000 registered carts that residents use for daily tasks like
going to the grocery or taking children to school.
Va. Tells Men: No Sex With Young Girls
RICHMOND, Va. - The state is posting billboards with messages such as "Isn't
she a little young?" as part of a campaign to dissuade men from having sex with
underage girls.
The campaign is aimed at reducing the number of young girls who have children
with older men, the Virginia Department of Health said Monday.
In 1999 and 2000 in Virginia, men over 18 were responsible for 219 births
involving girls who were 13 and 14, the department said.
Messages such as "Isn't she a little young?" and "Sex with a minor, don't go
there" also appear on posters, coasters and napkins in bars, restaurants and
stores in five cities.
"We encourage adult men to talk to their peers and discourage them from
pursuing teenagers. What they are doing is unhealthy and against the law," said
Robert Franklin, a health department official.