About Those Side Pockets on a Cow
Where Are the Presidential Beans?
January marks five years since Bill Clinton left office, and the anniversary is the first opportunity for sensitive documents to be FOIA'd from his presidential library. For an indication of what researchers and regular folks might want, we went to the Bush library to see what's popular among the former president's documents. Robert Holzweiss, the supervisory archivist at the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, says a top pick is former Vice President Dan Quayle 's famous Murphy Brown speech. "People remember it," he says. Another hit is Bush's Christmas 1990 letter to his kids--including W.--on the eve of the Gulf War. It's so popular that the original was put on display. Then there are some weird requests. "Some people want [to see] every thing they ever sent to the president," says Holzweiss. "They want us to produce the letter they wrote when they sent that can of Bush beans to the president."
Another Way Onions Bring Tears
A crackdown on the exploding Afghan drug trade--the world's largest--has smugglers trying new tricks. They're now using the Internet and satellite phones, while hiding their dope in ever more ingenious ways, say drug agents. One shipment of hash this year was hidden in 200 vacuum-packed spaghetti sauce bags. Another stash was rolled into balls and disguised as onions, with the skin wrapped around.
Santa Delivers Year Round to Iraq
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa, even for troops overseas. And the best part: He works year round. We're talking about AnySoldier.com, the Internet site that hooks up troops who need stuff like toiletries and games with donors ready to help. Founder Marty Horn says just go to his site, click a name, see what's needed, then send a care package. Include letters. "There are a lot of guys who don't receive a lot of mail and it is important to know there are people out there on the other side who care," Staff Sgt. Edward Coleman of San Antonio says from Mosul. Horn adds: "Christmas is a big time to send, but don't forget the rest of the year."
The Veep Still Loves His Scooter
Want proof that loyalty and friendship mean more than politics in the Bush administration? Then go no further than Vice President Dick Cheney 's Christmas party last week, where ex-aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby, ousted after his indictment in the CIA spy-outing case, was given a hero's welcome. "He was warmly received, and he looked terrific," says a partygoer. "Everyone was happy to see him." Libby arrived with his wife and sans attorney and went through the photo line just like everybody else. And while he shunned talk about his case, "everyone wished him well," says our tipster.
With David E. Kaplan
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