From U.S. News and World Report’s “Washington Whispers”:

Memo to State Department employees: New boss Colin Powell is a nice guy, but he won’t excuse those who open porn sites on State Department Internet accounts, join X-rated chat rooms, or send out nasty E-mails. Proof: Probes and punishments are up for those who tap porn sites or send chain letters or jokes of questionable taste.

Like, for instance, this joke of questionable taste? Q: Why did Colin Powell cross the road?

A: Several reasons: 1) To divine potential blowback from those fringe sovereigns who continue to cross roads without first understanding how normative standards for civil engineering can impact international coalitions intent on street-surface peace keeping, leading to a misapprehension of both direct-route journeying and kitty-cornering — and so resulting in escalating instances of potentially destabilizing Jay-walking by neutral members of the transnational theater. 2) Because he’s black. And, 3) To meet up with a coupla’ Asian hookers hangin’ out by a street lamp on the other side. Ummm, yummy Asian leather sex…!

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