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05:50 - 24 February 2005
FACT OF THE DAY Retail (and science) history is made today in 1938 when the first product containing a type of plastic called nylon - a toothbrush - goes on sale. Later on it was to gain a far more glamorous connotation as shorthand for ladies stockings. TOP STORY In Topeka, Hate Mongering Is a Family Affair Residents of Topeka, Kans., accustomed to seeing daily placards with such coarse slogans as GOD HATES FAGS and GOT AIDS YET?, have learned to put up with the family responsible for those signs in the same way some people endure living next to screeching railroad tracks. Now they're enduring the typically grating campaign of a young member of the clan who is trying to unseat the first openly gay member of the city council. Thanks to the Phelps family, this small, gossipy city can perhaps lay claim to being the homophobia capital of the U.S. Since 1991, the Rev. Fred Phelps, 75, has led his family in campaigns against everyone from "sodomites" and "fag enablers" to victims of 9/11. More recently the Phelpses initiated a referendum on the March 1 ballot that would prohibit laws protecting gay rights. The family is also supporting one of Fred's 53 grandchildren, Jael Phelps, 20, a prim nursing student who once picketed Matthew Shepard's funeral, in her run against city councilwoman Tiffany Muller, 26, who co-sponsored a law late last year that shields gays from discrimination in city hiring. Since there are two other contenders in the race, Jael is given little chance of winning. But the referendum could succeed even though most Topekans, including those who signed the referendum petition, say they oppose the Phelpses' tactics. "A lot of people don't outwardly agree with what Phelps is doing, but behind the scenes they do," says Republican state representative Lana Gordon. NUMBERS 57% Increase in the percentage of annual deaths in South Africa from 1997 to 2003, attributed mostly to AIDS 77 to 100 Ratio of male-to-female deaths in the 25-to-29 age group in 2003, a reversal of the 1997 ratio in which 149 men died for every 100 women 157,281 Number of illegal immigrants deported from the U.S. in 2004, a 45% increase since 2001 71% Proportion of last year's deportees returned to Mexico, the most common destination 6 min. 21 sec. Amount of time a typical half-hour local-TV-news broadcast devotes to sports and weather 38 sec. Amount of time a typical half-hour local newscast devotes to U.S. foreign policy, including the war in Iraq $452,800 Winning bid for a maple desk owned by John F. Kennedy and monogrammed with his initials, the most expensive family item auctioned last week $39,000 Winning bid for a Kennedy-owned needlework panel of a spaniel. The presale estimate topped out at $125 Sources: New York Times (2); U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; USA Today; Lear Center Local News Archive (2); Sotheby's (2) IN UDDER NEWS My war with the FONE COMPANY continued yesterday, as i got my FONE BILL! 135 bucks and some change! NOW mind you, I do not call people all around the world, in fact, i hardly call anyone at all! I have Managed long distance, which means that if I call long distance, and the time reaches 20 bucks, I cant call long distance anymore! I pointed out 90 bucks in overcharges to the fone lady on the fone, and she looked at my record, and AGREED WITH ME! so changes will be made, i am told; we will see. Pope Hospitalized After Suffering Relapse VATICAN CITY Feb 24, 2005 � Pope John Paul II was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance Thursday, suffering from a relapse of the flu, the Vatican said, a day after the pontiff made his longest public appearance since being discharged from the clinic two weeks ago. The 84-year-old pontiff was taken to Gemelli Polyclinic hospital after the return of flu symptoms Wednesday. He was hospitalized for "necessary specialized assistance and further tests," papal spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said. SLINKY LINKS! AS USUAL, MOUSEOVER THE WORDS AND CLICK ON THEM! |
CAT OF THE DAY!
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