September 2005 Archives

Since a Blackfeet tribe leader named Eloise Cobell filed this lawsuit in 1996, several independent investigations found much evidence for Lamberth's concerns. Although, the government initially said its existing Indian trust fund records were in good shape, Lamberth hired a hacker who found they could easily be accessed and altered from outside. Other reviews found that the Interior Department had never kept complete records, used unknown amounts of money to help balance the federal budget, and let the oil and gas industry use Indian lands at bargain rates. They also concluded that the Clinton and Bush administrations have repeatedly sidestepped initiating the required accounting because of the likely cost.

When they stand before a different bench tomorrow, government lawyers are expected to try to shift the discussion from the acknowledged failure of Interior to properly account for money held in trust and due 50,000 Indians, to the often assaulting words and actions of a powerful Reagan appointee who has made no secret of his disgust. Only three times before has this appeals court disqualified a trial judge from a case.

This time it’s a personal request, aimed at British subscribers in particular, though others can also play. I’m writing a piece in my current book about words and phrases that were once common but that have fallen out of everyday use within the past 75 years or so. These will mostly be names for things, and I’m avoiding slang or colloquial terms. My aged brain is having trouble assembling an adequate selection.

Some already in my list will give you the idea of what I’m aiming at: emergency brake, running board, motoring holiday, antimacassar, career girl, wireless (a radio), gramophone, washboard, wringer, record player, double feature, liberty bodice, brassiere (as opposed to bra), inkwell, and pedal pushers.

Please send your suggestions to this special address oldwords@worldwidewords.org, not my usual e-mail address.

ORLEANS, Sept. 8 - Waters were receding across this flood-beaten city today as police officers began confiscating weapons, including legally registered firearms, from civilians in preparation for a mass forced evacuation of the residents still living here.

No civilians in New Orleans will be allowed to carry pistols, shotguns or other firearms, said P. Edwin Compass III, the superintendent of police. "Only law enforcement are allowed to have weapons," he said.

But that order apparently does not apply to hundreds of security guards hired by businesses and some wealthy individuals to protect property. The guards, employees of private security companies like Blackwater, openly carry M-16's and other assault rifles. Mr. Compass said that he was aware of the private guards, but that the police had no plans to make them give up their weapons.