Easy to understand
"We're explaining the situation to residents in an easy-to-understand way." — A public relations official of the Tokyo Electric Power company, after the company took all its nuclear reactors off line for testing on April 15 following its admission that it had systematically concealed cracks in the reactors.
Now that Iraq's under his heel
"In the days and months ahead there will likely be a rearrangement of the footprint [of US forces] in the [Persian Gulf] region." — US General Tommy Franks, commander of "Operation Iraqi Freedom", April 27.
Only those with a complete one
"No one with half a brain is buying the Cuban regime's line that the dissidents are a made-in-USA plot to destroy the revolution." — Orlando Sentinel May 4 commentary on Cuba's early April jailing of 75 paid US agents.
Greatest danger
"More than 125,000 American troops occupy Mesopotamia. They are backed up by the resources of the world's richest economy. In a contest for control of Iraq, America can outspend and outmuscle any competing faction. The greatest danger is that we won't use all of our power for fear of the 'I' word — imperialism." — From a commentary by Max Boot, headlined "American imperialism? No need to run away from label",in USA Today, May 5. Boot is an Olin senior fellow at the US Council on Foreign Relations think-tank and the former features editor of the Wall Street Journal.
Embrace the practice
"Given the historical baggage that 'imperialism' carries, there's no need for the US government to embrace the term. But it should definitely embrace the practice." — Max Boot again.
Embracing the practice I
"A team led by retired American oil executive Philip J. Carroll officially took control of Iraq's Oil Ministry on Sunday." — Associated Press, May 7.
Embracing the practice II
"Halliburton, the US construction and engineering company, is permitted to produce and distribute oil in Iraq under a contract it was secretly awarded by the US government in March..." — London Financial Times, May 7.
Fake welcome worn out
"I think our welcome's worn out. We don't even get that fake wave anymore. They just stare." — Comment by US Army Lieutenant Tom Garner to his superior, Captain Dave Gray, as the two rode through Tikrit last week, quoted in Newsweek, May 12.
Proud Australian record
"Peter Hollingworth is in the job of governor-general because he stood on a very proud Australian record... He was a man who had demonstrated great compassion and support for the underprivileged." — Kerry Jones, executive director of Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy, May 9, commenting on calls for Hollingworth's resignation after an Anglican Church report found that while he was archibishop of Brisbane he'd allowed a paedophile priest to continue working after admitting to sexually abusing an altar boy.
From Â鶹´«Ã½ Weekly, May 14, 2003.
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