Feedback to SteveAugust 04
The first aftershocks of the American Supreme Court's landmark decision striking down a Texas sodomy law have reached the United States military, where the ruling is sparking new court challenges to the armed forces' ban on openly gay personnel and other rules affecting sexuality. / One immediate affect, the navy is doing away with the rank of rear admiral. The air force has responded by doing away with the euphemism flyboys for its personnel and the army is no longer going to advertise "we want a few good men."
The Washington Post reported Secretary of State Colin Powell won't serve a second term is President Bush is re-elected. / The reason for the resignation is believed to be that a frustrated Powell is believed to have uttered, "I wish people would treat me like my name was Colin not Colon."
In Iraq there's no longer Saddam Airport or Hussein High but also Yasser Arafat Street and a main thoroughfare named for an eighth century poet have been renamed for Shiite Muslim imams. / One proposed new street name that was quickly rejected was Spike Street
In an interview with George Stephanopoulos, Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi said the United States has made Osama a saint and a prophet and a symbol for defending the Islamic world. "They are not Muslims," Gadhafi added. "We say bin Laden is a criminal. We say bin Laden is a terrorist. But they say, 'bin Laden, may God protect and save him.' " / Towards the interview’s end Gadhafi sobbed, "what happened to all those jokes about the spelling of my name and me being the mad man of the Arab world?"
American forces have launched more than two dozen raids in northern Iraq in the past twenty-four hours as part of an operation aimed at killing or capturing Saddam Hussein, United States military officials said today. / Of course there's the possibility killing Saddam might make him a martyr, whereas capturing him alive for trial might bring lots of questions about Hussein and the other George Bush's relationship. Seems like the present President Bush could be one way or the other-Saddamed.
In a rare public appearance since he was charged with sexual assault, Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa attended the 2003 Teen Choice Awards, where he was honored as favorite male athlete. / Of course for Bryant one day he's up with teenagers and the next he's up with a teenager.
In budget-strapped Oregon, camping is the latest solution to the thorny issue of housing ex-cons -- particularly registered sex offenders -- that has vexed officials for years as they struggle with nervous neighbors and reluctant landlords. / Wow, talk about creating a tents situation.
The Pope is getting aggressive about the banning of same-sex marriages. / There's some who'd suggest he's gone from wishing to sanctify peace makers to not wishing to sanctify certain piece makers.
The Polar Museum in Tromso in northern Norway has had a thirty-five percent increase in the number of visitors during the first few months of this year, compared to the same period last year," reports Scandinavian Press. / I'm wondering if that's a result of new attendees or bi-polar attendees?
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat turns seventy-four today. / He was heard complaining, "guys this year please no falafel, shwarma or couscous, deli please.