Washington Affairs

5 January 2004


US Demands Air Marshals for Some Incoming Flights
The US government has said that some foreign flights entering US airspace will be required to have armed air marshals on board. It is rare that a wise and measured response appropriate to the threat comes from Washington these days. This should have been done two years ago. Click here to read more.

Pentagon Prevents Soldiers from Retiring to Keep Sufficient Forces in Field
If every right-wing, flag-waving nut who claimed to support the troops actually did, there would have been a riot last week when the Washington Post reported that the US Army is preventing soldiers from retiring when their tour of duty is up. The troops are being abused, misused and generally screwed, yet the silence is deafening. It is premature to bring all the troops home, but surely Uncle Sam can find replacements for those who have been promised an end to their service. Click here for more.

Ephedra Banned by FDA
The American belief that there is a pill for everything remains unshaken, but the Food and Drug Administration in Washington did a wise thing in banning ephedra, a dietary supplement that is used by supporters to increase energy, improve athletic performance and reduce the waistline. They seem undeterred by the fact that it also causes insomnia, tremors in the limbs and heart palpitations, to say nothing of death. Click here to read on.