What a Monday it was in America.
First, it was confirmed that the U.S. economy had fallen into a recession one year ago. Upon which the Dow Jones Industrials Average plunged nearly 700 points, setting a record for a one-day point drop.
If that wasn't enough to swallow, Americans were told to expect a terrorist attack on U.S. soil with nuclear or biological weapons within the next five years.
EXIT, STAGE RIGHT
"At last President Bush has an exit strategy. His own."
--Washington-based political satirist Mark Russell
BEWARE THE TREE
"Please leave my name out of this," requests our source within the Department of Transportation, "however, I think it's interesting that the DOT [assistant secretary] apparently feels OK with Kinara (whatever that is) and Menorah, but shies away from 'Christmas Tree.' "
Referring to a memo dated Nov. 28 from DOT Assistant Secretary Linda J. Washington, its subject: "Holiday Decorations in the West Atrium."
"In the spirit of the holiday season, [staff] will decorate the West Atrium on Saturday, November 29. A decorated tree will be set up in the middle of the atrium, just as last year. For the protection of the DOT employees, [staff] will position wrapped boxes underneath and around it to extend beyond the tree.
"Stanchions will also be placed around the tree for precaution. The atrium will also be decorated with a Kinara and a Menorah. We hope you enjoy the festive displays."
A kinara is a special candleholder used during Kwanzaa. It holds seven candles - red, green and black, which represent the colors of the Bendera, or African flag - that honor the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
SURVIVAL GUIDE
With the conservative movement re-entering the wilderness, "all we shall have to comfort us is the L.L. Bean catalog," R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr., editor in chief of the American Spectator, will contend at Wednesday evening's Robert L. Bartley Gala Dinner celebrating conservatism.
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