Wednesday 23 February 2005

Winn-Dixie Files For Bankruptcy; Blames Canine

Winn-Dixie Stores Inc., the giant Southern supermarket operator, filed for bankruptcy protection yesterday, citing sky-rocking cost overruns in banking their future on a dog.

Despite strong box office showings for the movie, 'Because of Winn-Dixie', based on a children's book bestseller, the supermarket chain has been awash in a sea of red ink.

"This little pup has been more then we could handle", offered one store official. "He's been a real primadonna … Special food, a big entourage … flying first class … It sure hasn't been a miracle for us … We just haven't gotten the return we expected …"

In papers filed with the courts, Winn-Dixie indicated that employee's will continue to be paid, including health and welfare benefits, and that they anticipate recouping their losses when the DVD of the movie is released.



Supreme Court Takes Oregon Death Case

The U.S. Supreme Court announced yesterday that they have agreed to hear arguments in Oregon's Death With Dignity Act, which the Bush Adminstration opposes. The suit was filed in 2001 by then Attorny General John Ashcroft.

Since 1997, when Oregon voters approved the measure, doctors in Oregon have been able to assist terminally ill patients end their lives. An Appeals Court upheld the ruling last year

The Administration plans to argue that it is only their policies that should be in place - reckless tax cuts, the cutbacks and elimination of programs, and the dismantling of Social Security - that should determine the quality of life.

In a related matter, the court also announced that ailing Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist will be moving from Arizona to Oregon.



IOC To Reject NYC; Cites Gates, Loss To Red Sox

Just as New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and a host of other official were seeking to impress the 2012 International Olympic Committee, rumors were circulating that the committee is all but set to reject the Big Apple, or, as the campaign suggests, 'the world's second home'.

Sources close to U.S. Olympic Committee chairman Peter Ueberroth said that Ueberroth found the Christo 'Gates' to be a distraction and is dismayed with the collapse of the New York Yankees last fall in baseball's American League Championship.
Ueberroth is a former commissioner of Major League Baseball.

Ueberroth has fears that New York, being the city that never sleeps, won't be able to deliver what the Olympics expect and need, that "they'll be tired and distracted"

Other cities in contention include Madrid, London, Moscow and Paris and a decision is expected by July 6.



Amendment Rider Spares C-SPAN From Indecency Fines

In passing a bill that can levy unprecidented fines against radio and television broadcasters last week, the House added a rider to the amendment that automatically extends a waiver to C-SPAN.

With congressional elections a year away, and changes forthcoming with the FCC's administration, House Republican's offered that it was "prudent" to offer the protection to the non-profit C-SPAN.

C-Span broadcasts the activities on the floor of the Congress, both the House and the Senate.

"We understand", stated Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, "that what we do here on the floor could be classified as indecent".