Clippings
 
 
April 21, 2001-
Chinese Reassemble Spy Plane, Don't Know Where These Two Screws Go
BEIJING-- Chinese authorities announced Friday that they have completed a thorough examination of the American surveillance plane that made an emergency landing April 1 on Hainan Island.  The inspection included a complete and careful disassembly of the craft, but now, after reassembling the plane, China does not know the purpose of two remaining unused screws.
   "It looks just fine and all," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue, "but there are these two screws.  That's worrisome."
   Officials claim they followed the assembly instructions diligently.
   "We made no mistakes," said President Jiang Zemin.  "If there were a place for those screws, we'd have put them in it."
   China continues to search for answers to the origin of these mysterious screws.  Some suggest that they came from another assembly project, and just got mixed in with the plane's screws, while others believe the screws are extras, just in case some are lost.

April 17, 2001-
Lucky Homeless Man Doesn't Have to Pay Taxes
SEATTLE-- While the rest of America worries about getting its taxes in on time, Edwin Anderson has no need to fret--he isn't required to pay taxes.
   "I don't pay income tax because I have no income," said the enviable man, sitting in a refrigerator box.
   This focused stalwart has dedicated his life to "beating the system."  He hasn't worked in 17 years, and has no plans to break his streak.
   "I'm doing plenty fine without work," said Anderson, clutching a gigantic bag of cans.  "As long as they [the IRS] doesn't bother me, I'll be ok."
   Those wondering how to get to this truly desirable position of tax-free living should heed Anderson's advice:
   "Just move out onto the fucking street," he said.  "Oh, it helps if you can tolerate the stench of piss and rat shit."
   He then vomited on his shoulder and collapsed to the ground.


April 10, 2001-
Severely Retarded Aikman Retires
IRVING, TX-- Troy Aikman, invalid and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, announced his retirement Monday from an oxygen tent.
   Aikman, who suffered 10 concussions last season, has been ravaged both mentally and physically by the abuse over the 12 years of his career.
   "Everyone's time comes," said Aikman, speaking via a computer speech synthesizer.  "Now is mine.  I must go."
   Aikman, wheelchair-bound, then said, "I wish I could cry, but my tear ducts do not work."
   The three-time Super Bowl champ considered signing with another team, but ultimately decided to call it quits.
   "I would love to go out for one more season," said the shaking Parkinson's victim, "but Lou Gehrig's disease is too big an obstacle."
   Aikman will likely sign a broadcasting deal with Fox.
   "I can't wait hustle out there and do some commentary," joked the legless creature.  "Colostomy bag and all."


April 2, 2001-
Milosevic Sent to His Room
BELGRADE, Yugoslavia-- After his arrest on allegations of corruption and abuse of power, former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic has been ordered to stay in his room during investigation.
   His successor, Vojislav Kostunica, is unsure whether or not the remand sends the right message.
   "His room is where all his toys are," he said.  "He'll be playing Nintendo and reading comic books.  He certainly won't be thinking about what he's done."
   Serbian Justice Minister Vladan Batic disagrees.
   "He can't go outside, which totally sucks," he said.  "Videos and CDs are fine for a while, but he's going to wish he could be out playing with his friends in no time."
   Similarly, the public is divided on the issue of the reprimand.  A key point regarding the effectiveness of the sentence centers around impending verification or invalidation of a rumor that Milosevic has a "Playboy" under his mattress.


March 27, 2001-
CEOs, Chairmen Preparing to Vote on Campaign Finance Reform
WASHINGTON, D.C.-- After much debate over the proposed legislation, CEOs and chairmen of major American companies are readying themselves for the vote on campaign finance reform.
   "I wouldn't hold my breath," said Bernard L. Schwartz, CEO of Loral Space & Communications.  "It (the bill) doesn't have a chance."
   Virtually all of the other executives feel similarly.
   "I don't know how it came to be anyway," said Haim Saban, chairman and CEO of Fox Family Worldwide.  "I mean, without unrestrained campaign finance, who's going to run the country?"
   "This is really a waste of time," said Charles R. Schwab, chairman and CEO of The Charles Schwab Corp.  "None of us will vote on it.  That'd be like giving up power.  We'd create a virtual anarchy."
   Even if the legislation does somehow pass, it will very likely be vetoed.
   "There's no way I'm going to allow the bill through," said Kenneth L. Lay, chairman of Enron.  "I'll veto it without hesitation."


March 14, 2001-
Men Killed by "Friendly Fire" Express Dislike for Term "Friendly Fire" 
NORTHWESTERN KUWAIT-- The six observers who were killed by American "friendly fire" in a training exercise Monday made an appearance at the Udairi training ground to express their dislike for the term "friendly fire."
   "That 500-pound fucking bomb exploded right on my fucking head," said Sgt. Edward Lancton.  "Let me tell you, there's nothing friendly about that."
   Sgt. Michael Foley also spoke out against the phrase.
   "Shrapnel sliced my arm right off, then flames engulfed me, making the last tenth of a second of my life one of unspeakable agony," said the miraculously pristine specter.  "Friendly my ass.  Friendly like a heart attack, motherfucker."
   "We deeply disagree with the term," said Sgt. Frank Bellows.  "It needs to be changed to something more apt, like 'I fucked up real bad fire' or something."


February 28, 2001-
Report: You are a Terrible Person
A Princeton study on your life, both public and private, was published Tuesday.  The report confirms what has long been suspected: You are a terrible person.
   The 86-page report describes many sordid aspects of your existence, including the fact that, on a regular basis, you don't tell other persons that their flies are open or that they have food on their chins.  Also, you are more inclined to help a stray dog than a homeless beggar, regardless of the number of limbs he/she has.
   "You make me sick," said Dr. Adrian Gitlow, head of the study.  "Look at you.  Disgusting."
   Perhaps most shocking of all is the fact that when watching TV you will quickly change the channel if a commercial asking for money for starving Africans comes on because you fear the impending guilt.


February 14, 2001-
Heaven Kicks Ass
LOS ANGELES-- During a seance Wednesday night, former surfer Dean "The Dewdrop" Vai, speaking via fortuneteller Madame Cloe, announced that Heaven kicks ass.
  "Dude, this place rocks like a shit," said Vai.  "I'm actually glad I wiped out and smashed my head against the jagged coral."
   He explained the basics of Heaven, the eternal paradise set aside for the virtuous.  He confirmed that there is no pain, as philosophers have conjectured for centuries.  Also, according to Vai, everyone is young and attractive.
  "Nothing but fine skeezers all around," he said.  "Man, I'm telling you, this place is pleasure central, no shit.  Anal, oral--whatever you want."
   Before leaving, Vai gave some heartening information: "I don't think God cares too much about people following the rules real close," he said.  "Just don't fuck up too bad."


February 4, 2001-
Christina Aguilera Contracts Rare Disease
LOS ANGELES-- In a press conference Saturday, it was revealed that pop sensation Christina Aguilera has contracted an unidentifiable stomach illness.
   "Doctors suspect that Christina acquired the disease through the rhinestones she often wears on her abdomen," said a spokesman.  "We don't know if the tacky glue or the imitation gems themselves caused the affliction, but doctors are working on it non-stop."
   Christina, bedridden, was unable to make a live appearance, but she did issue a statement:
   "Ohhhh... it feels like... goblins trying to... rip through my belly...  so much pain... please... pull plug... can't go on... pain... fuck... ohhhh."
   Doctors are optimistic that she will make a quick and full recovery.


January 23, 2001-
Bush Loses Keys to the Nation
WASHINGTON, D.C.-- During a press conference Monday afternoon, President George W. Bush announced that he has lost the keys to the United States.
  "I got up, ate breakfast and got dressed at usual," said the political neophyte. "Then I went to the key rack to grab my keys--and they weren't there."
  Bush continued, stating that he searched the house for the keys.
   "Stupid, stupid, stupid," he said, hitting his forehead with the palm of his hand repeatedly.  "I need to get one of those giant key rings so I don't lose them so easily."
   Laura Bush, the First Lady, was apparently disappointed in the president.
   "She told me I'd lose my head if it weren't screwed on," he said.  "Whatever that means.  Anyway, back to searching.  Maybe they're in one of my pants' pockets."


January 14, 2001-
Britney Spears Gets Tracheotomy
Teen pop sensation Britney Spears shocked the entertainment industry Friday when she announced that she has undergone a tracheotomy, a procedure in which a breathing tube is inserted into a small incision in the windpipe.
   The surgery was not done for medical purposes, but for money-saving reasons.
   "It was costing a lot of money to get the sound we wanted from Britney's voice out of the computers," said manager Johnny Wright.  "So, to cut down on expenses we found a cheaper, long-lasting solution, without compromising her trademark vocals."
   Spears seems pleased with the results.
   "I plan to be around a long time," she said, holding her index finger over the hole in her throat.  "I can be a more prolific and cost-effective artist now."


Decemeber 10, 2000-
Britney Spears to Write Song
Teen pop sensation Britney Spears has begun work on her first self-written tune, "...Baby Don't Break My Heart," for her next album.  After cutting two hugely successful albums, Spears has decided to become a musician.
   "I saw this commercial for a CD collection of singers and songwriters and it inspired me to become a writer," she said.  "My producer believes I have the talent to write as well as anyone."
   Although Spears completed the lyrics for the song in just 15 minutes, she is admittedly having trouble writing the music.
   "The words were easy [to write], but the sound is hard," she said.  "You have to pick a key to write the song in and there's all this time signature stuff.  Those guys were really talented."


November 28, 2000-
George W. Bush Promises Execution of Timothy McVeigh at Inauguration
AUSTIN, TX-- Governor and apparent president-elect George W. Bush made his first specific promise regarding his presidency in a brief speech Monday night.
   "I am planning on reasserting the power and competence of America which has been questioned through this troubling ordeal of counting ballots," he said.  "This reassertion will be obtained by hanging Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh as I am sworn in as president."
   Bush chastised the federal government for its failure to kill McVeigh immediately after conviction.  He also stated that national pride comes from a government that acts as an efficient killing machine, a Bush-coined "sharkocracy."
   The governor continued with a graphic description of what the hanging would look like, describing it as "inspiring" and "educational."
   "We must get back the spirit once inherent in every American," concluded Bush.  "This can be done expeditiously by watching a terrorist gasp uselessly for air, unless of course the rope breaks his neck, which it should, if the executioner knows anything about noose-tying."


November 20, 2000-
Ford Introduces "Turning Signal"
Ford Motor Company has introduced a new feature which will be standard on all models made after 2001.  Ford calls this safety device a "turning signal," or "indicator."
   "Basically, we have installed two small yellow lights in the backs of our vehicles," explained a spokesman.  "When the driver flips a steering wheel-mounted lever, one of the  lights will blink.  Which one blinks depends on the direction of the adjustment of the lever."
   The signal is to be used when the driver is soon to make a turn or change lanes.  The purpose is to make other drivers aware of one's plans regarding driving.  If the right light blinks, the driver is turning right, if the left blinks, the driver is turning left.
   "This will revolutionize the way we think about safety in cars," said Jacques A. Nasser, president and CEO of Ford.  "What an advantage it will be to know when people are planning to turn and where they are planning to go.  Safety has reached a new plateau with our indicator technology."


November 8, 2000-
Rough Draft of "I Have a Dream" Speech Found
MONTGOMERY, ALA.-- On Sunday, in a Montgomery library, an early draft of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech was found inside a thesaurus checked out by King in 1963.  The attitude of this early attempt is somewhat different from the stirring final draft.
   The draft contains the line: "I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the color of their character." 
   King continues, stating that he hopes for a situation in which "little oreos will be able to join hands with little wiggers and walk together as sisters and brothers."
   Hank Petty, the librarian who found the document, plans to sell it on eBay.



November 2, 2000-
Man Changes Channel During Victoria's Secret Commercial, Suspected of Being Gay
PEORIA, ARIZ.-- On Wednesday night Harvey Caulfield changed the channel during a Victoria's Secret commercial, prompting three friends who were watching TV with him to believe that he is a homosexual.
   "It was about 10:30, and this Victoria's Secret ad came on," said Don Shipper, one of the three witnesses.  "Then, like halfway through it, Harvey changed the station."
   Next, a silence fell over the room.  Although no one spoke, the three felt a joint doubt regarding Caulfield's supposed heterosexuality.
   "It was kind of implied," said Paul Lupo, another in attendance.  "I mean, we all sort of looked at each other and knew this guy must be gay."
   Caulfield sees it differently.
   "I don't know why they don't want to hang out any more," he said.  "I just wanted to see the [Phoenix] Suns score."



October 19, 2000-
Man Fails to Observe Road Sign
KATY, TX-- While driving from Houston to San Antonio on I-10 Wednesday morning, Aldous Hill failed to observe a road warning sign which commands drivers to "Observe Road Warning Signs: State Law."
   The irony of Hill's lack of observance threatened to rip the very fabric of being.
   "I was just driving," explained Hill, "when suddenly the road seemed all twisty and shit appeared to be spiraling to a point of singularity."
   Hill's passenger, friend Oscar Bickle, then screamed out "Damn it you didn't observe the sign that says observe signs!"  This caused Hill to acknowledge the sign, and existence as we know it was salvaged.
   "They really need to do something about that [sign]," said Hill.  "Someone's going to get hurt.  Maybe if they put a warning sign that says obey the warning sign that says obey warning signs.  I can't speak for everyone, but I know I don't want my space-time continuum's density to be infinite."



October 12, 2000- 
Grand Canyon Losing Tourists
GRAND CANYON, ARIZ.-- The Grand Canyon National Park Tourist Bureau recently reported that the famed gorge is losing popularity as a tourist attraction.  The canyon has long been considered one of the great natural wonders of the world, and for this very reason park officals are perplexed by the sudden drop in tourism.
   "It's hard to tell why people aren't visiting the canyon anymore," said Captain Eli Rogers, park ranger.  "I think it may have to do with the fact that it's just a fucking hole.  Mind you, it's a big fucking hole, but nonetheless, it's still a fucking hole."
   Canyon officials are desperately trying to think of a way to boost tourism.
   "I don't know what can be done to salvage the canyon," said Rogers.  "Maybe we can fill it with some shit.  Well, not shit, but stuff, like water... or monster trucks.  Yeah, I'd pay to see 'Gravedigger' drive into the canyon."


September 27, 2000-
Pizza Hut Offers New Pizza
     Pizza Hut restaurants nationwide have added another new pizza to their already large, state-of-the-industry menu.  The new dish is known as the Angioplasty Lover's Pizza.
     "This mofo is baaaad," said a spokesman for Pizza Hut.  "You like meat and shit all the way to the edge of a deep dish's thin, stuffed crust?  You got it.  You like a New York style, hand-tossed mamma jamma covered in buffalo wings?  Well that's what you get when you order this biz-nitch.  I'm telling you, man, the density of this bad boy rivals that of Plutonium."
     When asked how a pizza's crust could be both thin and stuffed, the spokesman responded: "Hey, you don't ask questions like that.  Just let it be, baby.  Else you gonna mess up the natural harmony of the universe and what not."


September 5, 2000-
Bumper Sticker Enlightens, Kills Man
ALTON, MO.-- After running a red light systems analyst Henry Gray, 23, was hit and killed by an 18-wheeler.  Gray was not aware of the light because he was contemplating a bumper sticker he had just seen.
   "We were exiting the 160 when he said, 'Look at that bumper sticker,'" recalls Mitch Redd, friend and surviving passenger.  "It said 'All generalizations are false.'  Then Henry was all spaced out.  He said, 'My mind is blown.  I've reached another level of consciousness.'  Then, boom, big fucking truck hits us."
   The Dalai Lama could not be reached for comment.
 
 

 
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