English, a Battleground State

Before Powell showed up in the classroom, Lynn Cummings, a U.S. Embassy official, briefed the kids, noting that Powell does not approve of gum chewing, finding it, among other things, not "ladylike." (About half the kids were guys.)

So swallow the gum, she admonished.

Good thing they weren't chewing coca leaves or tobacco.

Nine Months and Counting

Keeping up with . . . The Pentagon inspector general's office must be working day and night, 24/7, to wrap up what must be an incredibly complex investigation of Lt. Gen. William G. "Jerry" Boykin, deputy undersecretary of defense for intelligence.

Loop Fans may recall the investigation began more than nine months ago after Boykin, in uniform no less, was caught on videotape talking about the war on terrorism as a "spiritual battle" and made disparaging comments about Islam. Muslims naturally were furious.

In April, we were told the report would be ready in a couple of weeks. Then in June, it was going to appear pretty soon. So now it's August and still no sign of any conclusion.

Could it be his comments were a secret psy-ops effort gone awry? A truly innovative approach to winning the hearts and minds of the Muslim world?

Changing Channels

Let it not be said that our nation's armed forces are not New Age. No fewer than 14 senior officers trooped up to the Hill last Friday to respond to concerns about the troubled new C-130J transport. One of the Air Force's handouts -- "Program Is on the Correct Path" -- admitted that before fiscal 2002, there was a "disjointed program."

But then a "Blue Ribbon" group from the armed forces, the "Acquisition Community" and manufacturer Lockheed Martin was formed and got together and had a "Group Hug."

After that, everyone doubtless felt a whole lot better. Too bad the plane apparently still doesn't meet its military requirements.