Friday 30 May 2003

US soft on drugs I don't normally read the sports pages of the Irish Times but as I was flicking through them I came across an interesting item. Apparently, the World Anti-Doping Agency, is short on cash because a number of countries have yet to pay their share of the budget. The largest defaulter is the US whose $4m contribution is supposed to make up 29 percent of the budget. To be fair, the US is not alone. Italy, France and Germany, each of whom are supposed to ante up $596,000 have yet to pay, as has Ireland, whose contribution is $41,000. According to Dick Pound, President of WADA, the agency cannot do its job properly without the funds and may have to cut back inspections, tests and so on. This comes at a particularly bad time given the the 2004 Summer Olympics are only a year or so away. 10:34:05 PM    comment []  Google It!

Bush starts diplomatic mission The US president will seek to mend fences in Europe and push for Middle East peace during a week-long tour. [BBC News | Front Page | UK Edition] I read this and was immediately reminded of the classic Wizard of Id strip: Rodney to guard (seeing King riding away from castle): Where's the King going? Guard: On a tour of friendly neighbouring countries Rodney (looking at watch>: So he'll be back this afternoon then. Well I thought it was apt! 6:12:51 PM    comment []  Google It!

© Copyright 2003 David Stewart. Last update: 24/06/2003; 21:01:30.