Ready-made story—Elena Lappin, a freelance reporter, was assigned by the London Guardian to do some U.S. coverage. Arriving at Los Angeles airport, she was arrested, handcuffed, and bussed to the U.S. immigration jail. Why?

The UK is one of 27 nations classified by Washington as “friendly.” But, as Lappin learned, “friendly” journalists must have specially designated visas, not an ordinary one. Lappin was held in a barren cell with two metal benches and a toilet in public view. After more than 20 hours she was shipped back to London.

Q&A—Why does Washington require accredited journalists from “friendly” countries to carry special visas? Simple. The better to keep tabs on them.

Could he afford the gas?—The Compaq sports arena in Houston, Texas, is being converted into a 16,000-seat outdoor church. Advised Pastor Joel Osteen, “You have to change with the times. If Jesus was here, he’d change with the times. He couldn’t ride around on a donkey. He’d drive a car.”

Must be an exception—Colby Cantrell, 22, died of bacterial meningitis in a Tennessee county jail. In the five-day period before his death, he pressed an intercom button at least seven times, pleading for medical help. The sheriff says there was no wrongdoing.

In Tennessee?—“Iraqis visiting Memphis on a civil rights tour were barred from City Hall after the City Council chairman said it was too dangerous to let them in.

“Elizabeth Silverman, the group’s host and head of the Memphis Council for International Visitors, said Council Chairman Joe Brown told her he would ‘evacuate the building and bring in the bomb squads’ if the group entered.”—News report.

How about guns?—With the video filming of an L.A. cop beating Stanley Miller with a heavy-duty metal flashlight, the department chief announced these lethal clubs would no longer be carried. “There’s a stigma attached to these weapons, and they won’t go away,” Chief William Bratton declared.

In case you missed—You can now send e-mail clippings for the column. The address is: thegreatsociety@sbcglobal.net.  
 
 
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