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TIME: Almanac 1990
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1990 Time Magazine Compact Almanac, The (1991)(Time).iso
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time
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112089
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11208900.042
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1990-09-19
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NATION, Page 68Grapevine
JESSE ON THE LINE. Smarting from his exclusion from the
campaigns of Douglas Wilder and David Dinkins, Jesse Jackson spent
the day after their landmark elections frantically phoning
reporters to boast about his own recent endeavors. But Jackson's
main purpose was to dismiss the notion that his nonparticipation
in the Wilder and Dinkins victories threatens his stature as the
nation's top black politician. Even remarking on his conspicuous
absence, says Jackson, is "silly."
AD HOMINEM. If Al Haig, Tip O'Neill and similar notables can
be lured into advertising, why not Albert Einstein? Turns out he's
dead. But, hey, his great grandson Ted, 28, a real estate broker,
is available. So there is Ted in an Oldsmobile TV ad, chirping,
"You can see (that the Olds is) perfect for today's nuclear
family."
THE NAYS OF TEXAS. It was no surprise that voters in Texas last
week overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to triple the salary of
state legislators, from $7,200 to $23,000. But state officials did
win a consolation prize: no longer will they have to swear publicly
that they paid no bribes to get elected; a signed statement will
now suffice.
GLASNOST ON GAS. For years U.S. intelligence agencies claimed
that the Soviet Union had stockpiled as much as 600,000 tons of
poison gas; the Soviets insisted that they had none. Finally in
March 1987, Moscow admitted to having 50,000 tons, a figure the CIA
found unbelievable. Now, after deliberation, the CIA has come up
with its own new estimate: 50,000 tons.
STARK REMINDERS. It has been two years since an Iraqi missile
plowed into the U.S.S. Stark in the Persian Gulf, killing 37
sailors. The Iraqis apologized for their "mistake" and promised to
compensate the U.S. So far, they have paid $37.3 million in death
and injury claims, but are balking at an additional $89.1 million
bill for ship repairs.
FUTURE SHOCK. If you want to predict an earthquake, ask the
Soviets. Some time ago, seismologist Vladimir Keilis-Brok and a
colleague in a Soviet-American research project in Moscow concluded
that California was due for a major banger in mid-October. The U.S.
embassy passed word to Washington on Oct. 17 -- the day of the
Northern California quake. Keilis-Brok says his researchers can
predict with 80% probability that an earthquake will occur within
five years.
GNAW, IT'S ONLY A TOY. First Mutt Millie might find this
unappetizing, but one of the hottest items at a Capitol Hill pet
shop is a $12.99 vinyl chew toy for dogs, molded in the likeness
of First Master George Bush. "It sells really well," says store
manager Anne Yescavage, "because it's got a little Dan Quayle
coming out of his pocket." Chew on that.