Notes, Quotes
and Observations, Part II
by Phil Dobson
(WebToday, February 6, 2002)-- "I, with great regret, will pull the bill tomorrow." Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle speaking about President Bush's economic stimulus bill. You know, the one the House passed.
Ronald Reagan turns 91 today, a record in the annals of American presidents. Happy birthday Ronnie!
As the Olympic torch began its final journey to Salt Lake City and the start of the Winter Games the "tattered and torn" U.S. flag that flew over New York's World Trade Center will be raised at the opening ceremony. But it will not be carried into the Olympic stadium behind the U.S. athletes and officials as team delegates had hoped. "This is the one that's been to Afghanistan. This is the one that is tattered and torn and has been a symbol of a lot of things since that time," United States Olympic Committee spokesman Mike Moran said. "It's the Ground Zero flag."
The International Olympic Committee's coordinating commission had rejected the idea, maintaining that it could set a precedent. Imagine that, setting precedent. Guess they'll leave that up to the Salt Lake Organizing Committee who has decided to provide free condoms to Olympic athletes attending the winter games. I had no idea that Recreational Sex is an Olympic Sport. Go figure.
Eye opening fact from the Population Research Institute: Since 1990, U.S. taxpayers have paid for the shipment of more than 3.6 billion condoms worldwide. Who said they were free?
"The indictment rendered this afternoon reiterates the charges previously filed against Walker Lindh and adds [an] additional set of charges." Attorney General John Ashcroft
A Virginia grand jury handed down a 10-count indictment against the American Taliban John Walker Lindh yesterday. If convicted he could receive multiple life sentences. Yeah, so he can sit in prison and watch cable, surf the net and be taken care of the rest of his natural life. That is if he's convicted. Don't hold your breath.
The Philippine network ABS-CBN said it had obtained copies of four letters between Abu Sayyaf leader Abu Sabaya and his sister, who lives on Basilan island, where the guerrillas have held missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham of Wichita, Kansas for more than eight months. "The Abu Sayyaf will not free Martin and Gracia Burnham if they do not receive $2 million," the network reported, citing the letters. In past hostage-takings, the Muslim extremist group with links to Usama bin Laden's Al Qaeda network has not made public demands for ransom, but Philippine media have said the group did make such demands behind the scenes and that in some cases ransoms were paid. Where's Commando when you need him?
The "Axis of Evil" continues:
"They (the Iranians) have converted Lebanon into a ball of explosives, endangering the future of Lebanon." Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres
Jordan has thwarted a number of missiles and mortar attacks against Israel by Iranian agents, the Arabic language newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat reported yesterday. Jordanian King Abdullah II said he had given proof of Iranian plans to carry out terror attacks from Jordanian territory to the U.S. when he met with President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington last week.
Iran, meanwhile, warned Israel on Monday that it had better not carry out an attack against its nuclear reactor. "If Israel carries out any military action against Iran, it will face a response that will be unimaginable to any Israeli politician," Iranian Defense Minister Admiral Ali Shamkhani said in an interview with the Qatari-based al-Jazeera television.
Well, that should be motivation enough for Israel to not only bomb the Iranians reactor but also target Shamkhani along with the rest of that deranged government and then Bush could cross them off his list and add Libya.
A CIA report confirmed that Libya is once again developing both its missile program and unconventional weapons after the United Nations lifted sanctions in 1999. Boy, now there's a surprise. Who would've guessed they'd do such a thing? I mean besides anyone with half a brain, and you can quote me on that!
You may send comments to Phil at: dobson@madcrazy.com
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