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Gulf War
A war fought in 1991 in which a coalition of countries led by the United States destroyed much of the military capability of Iraq and drove the Iraqi army out of Kuwait. Also called Persian Gulf War.
Donald Rumsfeld, Government Official
• Born: 9 July 1932
• Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
• Best Known As: U.S. Secretary of Defense, 2001-present
Rumsfeld became Secretary of Defense under George W. Bush in January of 2001, and after the attacks of 11 September 2001 he became a familiar face on television as a spokesman for U.S. military forces. Rumsfeld was already something of a Washington insider; his connections in the White House and Department of Defense extended back to the early 1958, when he became an assistant to Congressman Dave Dennison of Ohio. He served as a congressman from Illinois (1962-69) before going to work as an economic adviser for President Richard Nixon (1969-73). He then worked in the Gerald Ford administration as White House Chief of Staff (1974-74) and as the youngest-ever Secretary of Defense (1975-77). During the 1980s Rumsfeld served in various capacities as an advisor to the Ronald Reagan administration, but spent most of his time in private industry. He served on several corporate boards in such industries as pharmaceuticals, banking and communications, including 8 years as the CEO of pharmaceutical giant G. D. Searle & Co. In 2001 he returned to the Pentagon, becoming the 21st Secretary of Defense.
Mr. Rumsfeld married the former Joyce Pierson in 1954. The couple had three children: Valerie (b. 1956), Marcy (b. 1960), and Nicholas (b. 1967)... Rumsfeld's nickname is "Rummy," presumably an abbreviated form of his surname.
Colin Powell, Military Leader / Political Figure
• Born: 5 April 1937
• Birthplace: New York, New York
• Best Known As: U.S. Secretary of State, 2001-2004
Name at birth: Colin Luther Powell
In 2001, Powell became the first African-American Secretary of State in U.S. history. Powell fought for the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and rose through the ranks to the rank of general, then became national security adviser to President Ronald Reagan. Powell became chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under George Bush the elder, directing U.S. forces during the Gulf War. Powell retired in 1993 and published his autobiography, My American Journey, in 1995. After years on the lecture circuit, he was chosen by George W. Bush to be Secretary of State in 2001. Powell was often perceived to be a moderate among more conservative voices in the administration. He reportedly submitted his resignation to Bush on 12 November 2004, shortly after Bush won election to a second term.
Powell's son, Michael, was named Chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission in 2001.
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Missile Shield Proposal
What is the US government proposing?
It is still not clear what the United States plans for its missile defence program. Certainly, the program would seek to prevent a missile from landing on US soil by launching another missile to intercept and destroy it.
Under former President Clinton, the US government sought a defensive shield for the continental United States - National Missile Defence (NMD). President Bush has dropped the "national" and now speaks of a shield that would protect key US allies in an attempt to secure the support of other members of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
Bush has publicly suggested that his administration plans to 'scale up' the program to include space-based interceptors.
collateral damage
(DOD) Unintentional or incidental injury or damage to persons or objects that would not be lawful military targets in the circumstances ruling at the time. Such damage is not unlawful so long as it is not excessive in light of the overall military advantage anticipated from the attack.
Newt Gingrich, Politician
• Born: 17 June 1943
• Birthplace: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
• Best Known As: Republican Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, 1995-1999
Name at birth: Newton Leroy McPherson
Newt Gingrich was a former Georgia history professor elected in 1979 to the U.S. House of Representatives. Ambitious, conservative and outspoken, by 1995 he had become Speaker of the House and the de facto leader of the G.O.P., considered responsible for gaining a Republican majority in the election of 1994. Never popular with the public at large, in 1997 Gingrich's image was further damaged when he was fined $300,000 for ethics violations. After a disappointing Republican showing in the 1998 election, Gingrich resigned the Speakership and his seat in Congress.
In 1995 Gingrich was bitten on the chin by a baby cougar during an appearance with TV host and zoologist Jack Hanna. 9-1-1.
Fox network (Fox Broadcasting Company)
The Fox Broadcasting Company, usually referred to as just Fox, is a television network in the United States. It is owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Fox has produced various shows since its launch on October 9, 1986. Fox is credited with launching the careers of such Hollywood stars as Jim Carrey (through the popular show In Living Color (1990-1994)), Ben Stiller (through The Ben Stiller Show), Johnny Depp (through 21 Jump Street, (1987-1990)), and Ashton Kutcher (through That '70s Show, (1998-2005)).
Mohandas Gandhi, Political Leader / Activist
• Born: 2 October 1869
• Birthplace: Porbandar, India
• Died: 30 January 1948 (assassination)
• Best Known As: Non-violent leader of Indian independence
Mohandas K. Gandhi studied law in England, then spent 20 years defending the rights of immigrants in South Africa. In 1914 he returned to India and became the leader of the Indian National Congress. Gandhi urged non-violence and civil disobedience as a means to independence from Great Britain, with public acts of defiance that landed him in jail several times. In 1947 he participated in the postwar negotiations that led to Indian independence. He was shot to death by a Hindu fanatic in 1948.
Gandhi is sometimes compared with fellow humanitarians Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, Jr.