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Jewish World Review Dec. 28, 2001 / 13 Teves, 5762

Robert L. Haught

Robert L. Haught
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Consumer Reports


2001: A year of achievements, but some are disputable


http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com -- AS this topsy- turvy year draws near to closing, it's time to pay recognition to the "Disputable Achievements of 2001."

Most Forceful Administration Argument for Good Trade Relations -- President Bush, in a meeting with Mexican President Vicente Fox: "It's very important for folks to understand that when there's more trade, there's more commerce."

Fastest Disappearing Public Policy Issues -- arsenic content of drinking water, mad cow disease, campaign finance reform, stem cell research.

Highest Flying Congressman -- House Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt jetted across Europe to rev up an attack on Bush foreign policy to the tune of more than $250,000. Expenses for him, his wife, staffers, other congressmen and their wives included $231,426 for use of a Navy plane, and $4,789 for "on-board supplies" -- such items as filet mignon and suntan lotion.

Oddest Congressional Couple -- Conservative Georgia Republican Bob Barr and liberal California Democrat Maxine Waters, who found agreement in opposing provisions in anti-terrorism legislation giving government additional power over private citizens.

Worst Committee Appointment -- Rep. Gary Condit, D-Calif., who was less than candid about the disappearance of government intern Chandra Levy, was appointed to a new House subcommittee on terrorism and security that was supposed to encourage cooperation between law enforcement agencies.

Least Accurate Calendar -- The traditional scenic calendar produced by the U.S. Capitol Historical Society for sale to the public and for lawmakers to send to constituents gave November 31 days instead of 30. With 650,000 copies already printed, to make up for the error the society apologized and added two months to the 2003 calendar -- and also knocked off 25 percent for the 14-month special edition.

Most Outrageous Freudian Slip -- "No, I have said that I am not running and I'm having a great time being presi -- being a first-term senator," replied Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., to a question at a National Press Club appearance.

Shaggiest Dog Joke, or Most Blatant Election Law Violation, Even for Florida -- Wendy Albert registered her pet poodle, Cocoa Fernandez, to vote last summer. After her prank was discovered, she apologized to avoid felony voter- fraud charges, It happened in Palm Beach County, home of the infamous butterfly ballot mess.

Truest Confession By an Impeached President -- In a book by a former press aide, ex-president Bill Clinton revealed that he and a boyhood friend used to hide behind trees in front of his house and throw acorns at passing cars, trying to hit the hubcaps.

Choiciest City Ordinance -- Authorities in San Francisco voted to pay for sex-change operations for city employees -- costing $37,000 for male-to-female, $77,000 for female-to-male, with workers eligible for up to $50,000 in surgery expenses.

"Hottest Bear Market Babe" -- An actual award by Playboy magazine. In a reader poll to choose the sexiest among eight financial mavens, the winner was Stacey Barcelata of cable network Tech TV. She beat out CNBC's Maria Bartiromo, Bloomberg's Prue Lewarne and CNN's Willow Bay.

"The Pillager From Pascagoula" -- Another real award given by Citizens Against Government Waste to Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., for a $460 million amphibious assault ship to be built in his state.

Finally, the "We Can't Always Be Right" award goes to the Internal Revenue Service. A Treasury Department official told a congressional subcommittee that IRS workers gave incorrect information 47 percent of the time to government investigators posing as taxpayers.



JWR contributor Robert L. Haught is a columnist for The Oklohoman. Comment by clicking here.

Up

12/21/01: Gifts for many public officials came a bit early this year
11/29/01: Animal rights group would like to tan Osama's hide
11/20/01: Are Americans too spaced out?
10/12/01: There's something fishy going on in the U.S. Congress
10/05/01: Lincoln had some memorable things to say about war
09/21/01: Washington's guidelines on how to tickle a terrorist
08/31/01: Two Garys, going the same road
08/24/01: Dog days are laughing matter, stories set tails wagging

© 2001, Robert L. Haught