Washington Affairs

10 March 2003


Washington May Fib about Captured Terrorists
After the arrest in Pakistan of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, number 3 operative in Al-Qaeda, there were howls from certain quarters that the press announcement of the arrest was counter-productive. By letting on that the West had captured him, his partners in terror were tipped off and may have escaped capture. Quite possibly so. And that could be why the alleged capture of Usama bin Laden's son(s) was denied by Washington over the week-end. Click here to read more.

Federal Systems Creates Smokers' Oasis
New York City is not as tough a place as it wishes the outside world to believe. Take for example Mayor Bloomberg's efforts to make every workplace smoke-free, which includes bar and restaurants. True New Yorkers would fight this infringement on their right to be obnoxious, but they have not even managed a single riot. Perhaps it is because state law does not require one to "butt out" and so, Grand Central Station will become a smokers' oasis. Click here for more.

Braun's Presidential Bid Doomed by Bigotry
A recent Quinnipiac University poll of presidential preferences placed former Senator Carol Moseley Braun ahead of Mr. Al Sharpton, the only other black face in the race. Her 7% showing is nothing to crow about, but what has her miffed is the media's presumption that her chief rival is not Senators Kerry, Lieberman or Edwards, but the uptown preacher who, himself, hasn't a shot in hell at the nomination. And she's right. What she hasn't said is that this highlights the racism of the American media and of the Democratic party -- so Kensington will say it for her. Click here to read on.