Loose Cannons

It wasn't her fault

"I can honestly say that without Mrs Parks, I probably would not be standing here today as secretary of state." — NeoCondoleezza Rice at a memorial service for black civil rights activist Rosa Parks, who died on October 25.

A moment of honesty

"And so I've made some proposals to the Congress, proposals that work with how fast benefits will go up, proposals that said if you're in a poor American, nothing is going to change for you. If you're a wealthy American, your benefits will grow, but at a slower rate." — Emperor George Bush II, October 26.

Rush to counter terrorism threat

"Police could arrest suspects under new terror laws as early as tomorrow after Australia's spy agencies received specific information about a potential terrorist threat against the nation. Prime Minister John Howard today rushed an amendment to existing terrorism offences into parliament after the national security committee was briefed on a potential threat... Mr Howard said: 'We have been given advice that if this amendment is enacted as soon as possible, the capacity of the authorities to respond will be strengthened'." — News.com.au report, November 2.

Terrorism threat given bum's rush

"Prime Minister John Howard ... has rejected suggestions that police will arrest suspected terrorists planning an attack in Australia after he announced on Wednesday that he had received specific intelligence about a potential terrorist threat." — ABC News Online, November 4.

From Green Left Weekly, November 9, 2005.

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From GLW issue 648