Informed Sources

And in a Previous Lifetime ...

WASHINGTON -- Air Force Lieut. Colonel Randy May is charged with 26 counts of negligent homicide for his role in the downing of two U.S. helicopters over northern Iraq last April. The charges are not his first "official" recognition from the military. More than three years ago, during the Gulf War, May downed an Iraqi Hind helicopter in the same area and received a Distinguished Flying Cross for his "professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty."

Meanwhile, as the Tobacco Wars Raged On ...

WASHINGTON -- Is nicotine a drug or not? Both Congress and the FDA need to know before they fire the next volley in the tobacco wars, and they are looking to science for guidance. Washington's prestigious Institute of Medicine will come to the rescue this week with a finding that nicotine is indeed addictive and should be regulated as a drug. But instead of a complete ban on cigarettes, the iom recommends raising the cigarette tax from 24 cents to a hefty $2 a pack.