Tidbits & Outrages

Washington Monthly, Nov, 1995

LESSONS IN PUBLIC SPEAKING, PART ONE

At a meeting of students in Fairbanks, Alaska, Rep. Don Young argued against federal funding for the arts. Young said the government had funded "photographs of people doing offensive things." Asked for an example, he answered "buttfucking," The congressman said he was "trying to educate" the students.

LESSONS IN PUBLIC SPEAKING, PART TWO

Doris Allen recently retired as speaker of the California State Assembly, but not before labeling her critics "power-mongering men with short penises."

THOSE DAMN LIBERAL REDNECKS

In a September installment of "Larry King Live" (guest-hosted by Robert Novak), Senator Jesse Helms took a call from Tilk, Alabama. "I just think that you should get a Nobel Peace Prize for everything you've done to help keep down the niggers," the caller said. "Thank you, I think," Helms replied. He later added, "I think it was a set up--one of the liberals."

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN WILL STAND ON STAGE SWEATING, WITH A FIVE O'CLOCK SHADOW, AND LIE

The Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace is staging a musical extravaganza in Yorba Linda, California, to be called Nixonpalooza.

THE HUNT FOR BREAD IN OCTOBER

The Russian Navy is using decommissioned nuclear subs to deliver supplies to remote Arctic regions of the country.