Loose cannons

Healthy choice

"There will be a variety of food, [it] will include McDonald's." — SOCOG on why only ticket holders with an explanatory medical certificate will be allowed to take food or drink not bought from a sponsor into Olympics venues. Also banned are baby strollers and political, religious and race-related materials.

Let's keep it that way

"[The Australian Defence Force could] come to resemble areas of the Papua New Guinea public service, where wages are paid but little is done." — Part of a detailed government analysis of the ADF released last week which argues for more operational funding.

Xenophobia

"The xenophobia we see in Europe has its genesis in an absence of border control." — Federal immigration minister Philip Ruddock explaining that the Australian government's "fortress Australia" immigration policy promotes tolerance.

Rough justice

"I didn't think we had anything to lose." — A juror in Kentucky, USA, commenting on the jury's decision to toss a coin and thus convict a man of murder.

Talking tough

"When we find out who dumped this uranium they will be made responsible for its proper disposal and the agency will consider legal action." — British environment agency spokesperson about the discovery of a uranium fuel rod in a scrap-yard.

Way ahead of Israel

"The United States has led the way amongst the nuclear powers in trying to reverse the arms race." — US State Department spokesperson James Rubin.

Discretion

"Our legal system contemplates that prosecutors will exercise discretion ..." — Washington Post editorial urging special prosecutor Robert Ray not to indict President Clinton for lying to a federal grand jury.

From GLW issue 403