The NTSB last week released 1,700 pages of documents, including a transcript of the plane’s cockpit recorder and a sheaf of FBI interviews that NTSB officials believe are consistent with only one plausible theory, first reported by NEWSWEEK last year: that relief copilot Gamil al-Batouti deliberately put the plane into a fatal dive. The transcript, approved by U.S. and Egyptian investigators, confirms that Batouti repeated a common Arabic prayer, “I rely on God,” even as the Boeing 767’s autopilot and engines were switched off. FBI documents also corroborate allegations of sexual misconduct by Batouti at a New York hotel. One informant told the Feds that Batouti offered a female employee $100 to come to his room the night before the crash. The offer was refused.
But the Egyptians, aided by U.S. consultants, won’t accept that Batouti may have been suicidal. They claim that computer-maintenance procedures might have caused air-traffic controllers to mishandle the plane. And they hint darkly that FAA records lack adequate information about the flight path of an Israeli El Al jet that took off shortly before EgyptAir Flight 990. With all the tangled politics, NTSB officials fear that no explanation can satisfy all sides.
MLK III Leveraging the Black Vote To win in November, Al Gore is counting on a large turnout of African-American voters. Some black leaders are trying to use that leverage to get President Clinton to sign an executive order banning racial profiling. “In a sense he owes it to the community,” says Martin Luther King III, referring to black Americans’ support that helped Clinton survive impeachment. King will speak about racial profiling at the Democratic convention and challenge Clinton and Gore to take action, but his request for a prime-time slot was denied. “[The issue] doesn’t seem to be on their radar screen,” he says.
INTERNET Tracking bin Laden’s E-Mail American counter-terrorism experts are aghast that the FBI has gone public with Carnivore, its new Internet-wiretap system. The reason for their dismay: Osama bin Laden uses e-mail to communicate with his terrorist network. The intelligence community’s ability to track his messages has been, according to one intelligence source, “the biggest single factor in shutting down several planned operations,” including some in the United States. “Bin Laden thought his communications were secure,” says the source. “They weren’t. Now we’ve told him.”
FBI officials acknowledge that Carnivore has been used about 25 times, primarily in terrorism investigations. But they decline to comment on its use against bin Laden. “Everyone knows we can wiretap phones,” says a bureau spokesman. “There’s no reason why an ability to intercept e-mails must necessarily be covert.”
THE BUZZ I Am a Rock, I Rule an Island As the final “Survivor” contestants backstab their way to $1 million, the rest of us take a blind stab at who’s in the money. (Those immunity challenges are major wild cards.) Here’s what people are saying over the airwaves, on the Web and in the papers:
It’s Richard Fighting chance. World’s least-favorite nudist ’too cocky to win?’ (US Weekly) Aloof, Machiavellian, nasty–but could be the winning combo.
It’s Sean Unlikely. Nipple-pierced nincompoop neurologist’s strategy of alphabetical elimination leaves him unaligned–and vulnerable. ‘S’ is for ‘See ya, buddy.’
It’s Susan Trucker could go extra mile. But blue-collar shtik clearly thin ruse for diabolical nature.
It’s Kelly Doubtful. Alliance eager to boot the wishy-washy follower who’s around only because she survived last week’s immunity challenge.
It’s Rudy Fairly likely. Ornery, sexist homophobe could actually win because he’s the alliance’s lesser evil.
CAST YOUR VOTE ON NEWSWEEK.MSNBC.COM BY 5 P.M. EDT, AUG.18
LAST WEEK’S LIVE VOTE Are women naturally as promiscuous as men? (10,056 responses) 24% Yes, for biological reasons, to propagate their genes. 29% Yes, but just for fun. 17% No, women want to settle down. 30% No, gender doesn’t determine behavior.
POOH Sweet Deal Mickey Mouse has stepped in Pooh: Disney is buying the film and merchandising rights to Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and the rest of the Hundred Acre Wood crowd for an estimated $375 million. That means a windfall for the venerable British institutions named in the will of Pooh’s creator, A. A. Milne. The Garrick Club, of which Milne was a member, is likely to receive a $75 million share. The membership, which includes Prince Charles, plans to spend it on various worthy causes, including improvements to the wine cellar. Westminster School, Milne’s elite alma mater, reportedly will spend its wad on scholarships. Other payments go to Milne’s granddaughter, the family of his illustrator, E. H. Shepard, and the Royal Literary Fund, which supports needy authors. Not included: sales from two Pooh books, leaving plenty more honey in the pot.
TRANSITION Forces of Elegance and Honor With high cheekbones and unrelenting glamour, Loretta Young was the consummate movie star. The wide swath of her career took in silent film, an Academy Award and the long-running “Loretta Young Show” on TV. A lifelong Roman Catholic dedicated to the church’s charities, Young made workers on the set contribute a coin to a kitty to pay for good works every time they swore. She is dead at 87.
During his 32 years at NEWSWEEK, Gibson McCabe, former publisher and president, stood for editorial integrity against angry advertisers, helping to make a fledgling newsweekly into the magazine it is today. McCabe, who died at 89, once declined to give an acceptance speech for an industry award, urging the crowd to take those 20 minutes and “go out into the sunshine.”
CONVENTIONS Now Playing: Mr. Gore Goes to Hollywood In Los Angeles this week the Democrats take their turn on center stage. And while President Clinton takes his bows–all of them–it’s showtime for Al Gore and his cast of supporters. Their operative word for the week is–ready?–“real.” The party wants to highlight real people, the real Al. (Was the entire Midwest booked?) If there’s some free time, of course, they also want to have a little fun in the California sun. Why shouldn’t they? “Everybody is happy,” says political consultant Joe Cerrell. “We’ve all done pretty well these past eight years.” The plan is to enjoy four more–if the protests don’t steal the show:
THE SCRIPT First, you need a gripping opening scene. Monday night, the theme is “Prosperity, Progress and Peace” (alliterative, but not quite “Die Hard”). Then, during the week, the Dems will stress inclusion, among other things. Did we mention the prosperity?! They’ll highlight L.A.’s diversity–the theme at the convention’s community plaza: “Los Angeles today is the face of America tomorrow”–and showcase the party’s female leaders: six senators and New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaneen. And it wouldn’t be Hollywood without wanting to look younger. Before his speech, stylists will give Joe Lieberman a “dewier,” “more moist” look, says Barbara Salomone, the convention’s makeup director.
THE STUDIOS Once you’ve got your script, you need someplace to shoot. Dems can do this at the Paramount Studios back lot where Louisiana Sen. John Breaux’s “Mardi Gras Goes Hollywood” is happening. (After a few Hurricanes, who knows where they’ll go?) More than 1,500 guests have been invited for authentic floats and andouille gumbo. If you don’t like all that jazz, Lynn Schenck, California Gov. Gray Davis’ chief of staff, is hosting a lunch at the Warner Bros. lot, where attendees can meet some popular pols: the cast of “The West Wing.” All of the delegates are welcome at the Paramount Pictures back lot for the official (and free) welcoming party. Confirmed celebrity: Henry Winkler.
THE CAUSES If you don’t have one, don’t worry: there’s no shortage. Delegates are being asked to venture out and help clean up the community. Too La-la Land for you? Then Save the Iraqi Children, Rally to Stop Sweatshops or, for something more all-encompassing, March and Rally Against Mass Incarceration, Police Brutality, Death Penalty and to Free All Political Prisoners.
THE CAST PARTY Finally, get on the A-list: the Creative Coalition and George magazine are sponsoring a celeb-studded fund-raiser for the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation; Barbra–Babs, not Bush–will be at the Shrine. And the Arkansas delegation (who else?) parties at Pinot Hollywood. On the menu: warm chocolate-croissant pudding with Wild Turkey sauce and hibiscus cocktails, made with a good shot of vodka. So much for the City of Angels.
CONVENTIONAL WISDOM Special Veep Chutzpah Edition The Dems cancel a Hispanic fund-raiser at the Playboy Mansion. But it’s not dirty (legal) pictures that are obscene, it’s the dirty (legal) money. What would Jesus say?
C.W. Gore + Old: Gutless government gofer. New: Gutsy goy goes for the gold. Lieberman + Old: Sanctimonious snooze. New: Scintillating Shabbos superstar. Clinton - Here’s an idea Al and George actually have in common. It’s time for you to go. George W = “Clean out the stable” theme in jeopardy. Time to find a new pitch, Dubya. Cheney - Gets $20 million retirement parachute from big oil job. That’s integrity, GOP style. Buchanan = Picks a right-wing black woman as running mate in fractured party. Oy vey!
