One Childhood Wish Comes True
Capitol Weenies: Naked or Dressed
Our favorite dueling events happen this week when People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals goes up against the American Meat Institute to fight over National Hot Dog Month. PETA is doing the usual: Playboy Playmates Lauren Anderson and Robin Arcuri dressed only in lettuce handing out veggie dogs at the Rayburn House Office Building Wednesday. That's usually where everybody goes. But this year, AMI has a trio of major-league stars who will attract: Luis Tiant of the Red Sox, Tommy John of the Dodgers, and Harmon Killebrew of the Twins. Thankfully, AMI' s David Ray promises: "Our celebrities will be fully clothed."
George Washington Is Now the Rage
She is an academic, so we shouldn't be surprised with what Secretary of State Condi Rice is reading in her downtime. Not fiction, but biographies of America's Founding Fathers. Right now, she's into the first president, reading Joseph J. Ellis 's His Excellency: George Washington . GW's an appropriate topic since President Bush has been making references to the American Revolution when speaking on Iraq.
The Heat Is On for A Texas Run
At least Washington's heat and 98 percent humidity are good for something. We hear that staffers and pressies are training for the 100-Degree Run President Bush hosts during summer breaks in Crawford, Texas. "You get a T-shirt," cheered one likely entrant. Insiders say Bush plans about five weeks at his ranch but won't jog: He bikes now because of bad knees.
Taking Off the Gloves--Just Once
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean isn't all fire and fangs when it comes to dueling with his foe, GOP Chairman Ken Mehlman . Dean privately proved that last week when the two crossed paths backstage at the NAACP convention. We hear Dean expressed condolences to Mehlman, whose grandfather recently died. Mehlman was grateful, we're told.
One Shiny Apple: The Gitmo Diet
It certainly wasn't a good week on the PR front for the Guantanamo Bay prison authorities accused of belittling and degrading captives during interrogations. But there is one area where the military's treatment seems to shine, at least recently: fitness. During a press tour last week, our spies saw prisoners playing soccer, getting medical care, and eating a diet that could be the model for the FDA's new food pyramid. Jed Babbin, a former Pentagon official who's a contributing editor for the American Spectator , snagged a weekly menu for us, and it shows a diet that's heavy on veggies, fruits, and whole grains. Of note: no pork in deference to the Muslim faith of many prisoners. Will this spark a Gitmo Diet craze?
usnews.com See the Guantanamo Bay daily menu for prisoners: www.usnews.com/whispers
With Thomas Omestad
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