Free Republic

Washington will have enough forces bristling on the borders of Iraq to launch a strike as soon as the March 17 disarmament deadline it is seeking expires, but it looks likely to wait a few days longer. Analysts said that, despite soaring temperatures which would make battle uncomfortable, U.S. Central Command chief General Tommy Franks may even seek a delay until April 1 to resolve a hitch in plans for a thrust into northern Iraq and have a moonless sky for aerial bombing. Britain, supported by the United States, has proposed giving Iraq a March 17 ultimatum to cooperate fully...

Internet Spoof, Soon Denied, Hits Canadian DollarMon Apr 1,10:53 AM ETTORONTO (Reuters) - An April Fool's Day internet report that Canadian Finance Minister Paul Martin would quit his job to breed Charolais cows and "handsome fawn runner ducks" sent the Canadian dollar lower on Monday, as the market grabbed at the straw of anything that might resemble news. Author Pierre Bourque, who flagged the spoof report on his political gossip Web site bourque.org, said he was baffled by the reaction. "It is April 1, after all," he told Reuters. "The ducks were the tell-tale sign." A laughing official at Martin's...

<p>Gov. Jesse Ventura pulled an April Fools' prank on the State Capitol press corps this morning.</p> <p>Spokesman John Wodele alerted reporters to a press conference on a half-hour's notice, suggesting that all reporters should show up but declining to say what the subject matter was.</p>