Pols Rockin' Out--On iPod or 8-track
Clear Sailing for A Few War Vets
The old presidential yacht that has played host to many critical diplomatic events is now taking on an even higher cause. We hear that the USS Sequoia is providing Potomac River cruises for injured Iraq and Afghanistan war vets being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. "The soldiers really enjoy themselves," said Sequoia owner Gary Silversmith. But his tour is not just a quickie ride by the Alexandria, Va., waterfront. Silversmith has lined up politicians and NFL players to come along. Last week the pros included Brian Mitchell, the NFL's career leader in total yards; pro bowler Ken Harvey; ex-linebacker Andre Collins; journeyman linebacker Keith Goganious; and former Detroit Lion Stan White. All signed hats and photos. Democratic Sen. Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey and Louisiana Republican Sen. David Vitter, meanwhile, collected vets' complaints. One: Why aren't phone calls home from Iraq free?
Must-Reading: Clinton, the Koran
Are we the only ones who find this odd? Among the books Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jafari keeps on his desk are the Koran and former President Clinton 's autobio, My Life. What's more, Bubba's book is filled with underlined passages. We learn this from our correspondent Ilana Ozernoy, who has interviewed Jafari several times in different offices, and every time the books were there. Naturally, she had to ask why Clinton's words were highlighted, figuring they held great meaning. Nope. "When I asked him about it, he said an aide had gone through and highlighted the graphs he wanted the PM to read."
Secrets of the First Doodlers
Ronald Reagan liked to draw horses. Ike preferred knives. LBJ put horns on heads. And Truman? "His few doodles appear woefully undeveloped--rough and haphazard," says Paul Gilbert of Basic Books. He knows because the publisher has collected doodles from 27 presidents and plans to bind them into a book. Of those we've seen, Reagan's look best, especially his pony. LBJ, who scribbled on White House stationery, drew the oddest: a three-headed girl.
The 40th Time Is the Charm
Sen. Edward Kennedy can be one of the Senate's blustering best, but we found him in a candid moment last week when he sized up his speech this week at the AFL-CIO convention in Chicago. "You're gonna miss a great speech there," he said with a chuckle. "Same one I've given for 40 years. It's going to be breathtaking."
usnews.com To see the doodles of LBJ, Reagan, and Eisenhower: www.usnews.com/whispers
With Matthew Benjamin and Suzi Parker
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