Also, Steven Segal Stars In The Nutcracker

He made his name as an all-action screen hero, but now the Muscles from Brussels could be about to take on an altogether more challenging role. Jean-Claude Van Damme is being lined up to star in a film version of Swan Lake.

More here.

Truly Shocking!

W A S H I N G T O N, April 25

? To build its case for war with Iraq, the Bush administration argued that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, but some officials now privately acknowledge the White House had another reason for war ? a global show of American power and democracy.


Officials inside government and advisers outside told ABCNEWS the administration emphasized the danger of Saddam's weapons to gain the legal justification for war from the United Nations and to stress the danger at home to Americans.

"We were not lying," said one official. "But it was just a matter of emphasis."

Officials now say they may not find hundreds of tons of mustard and nerve agents and maybe not thousands of liters of anthrax and other toxins. But U.S. forces will find some, they say. On Thursday, President Bush raised the possibility for the first time that any such Iraqi weapons were destroyed before or during the war.

More obvious bukkshithere.

Just Don't Use Helium

The world's one and only inflatable church is here to allow couples to get married wherever their hearts desire. This fantastic air filled building is 47ft long by 25ft wide & 47ft high. The attention to detail is heavenly complete with plastic "stained glass" windows and airbrush artwork which replicates the traditional church. Inside it has an inflatable organ, altar, pulpit, pews, candles and a gold cross. Even the doors are flanked by air-filled angels. The church can be built in three hours and dis-assembled in less than two.

read more and see pictures here.

Some examples of pork from the fiscal year 2002 government budget:

* A tattoo removal program in San Luis Obispo, Calif. ($50,000)
* The Fort Union Trading Post Bike Trail in North Dakota ($500,000)
* Statue of the Roman god Vulcan in Birmingham, Ala. ($1.5 million)
* Intelligent Transportation grant for Moscow, Idaho--population 22,000 ($1 million)
* Therapeutic Horseback Riding in Apple Valley, Calif. ($150,000)
* Post-Sept. 11, 2001, airline aid to Las Vegas Helicopters, which perform airborne weddings officiated by Elvis Presley impersonators ($4,600)
* An effort to combat "goth culture" in Blue Springs, Mo. ($270,000)