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NASA announces new push to put Man on Mars.

By Wendell ALLBRIGHT, Associated Press Writer
DALLAS, Texas - In a surprise move, the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) announced a sudden push from the White House to be the first nation to land a team of men on Mars. Originally not scheduled until the year 2020, NASA spokeswoman Jari James said a senior official from the White House contacted NASA this morning, and discussed the feasibility of funding $13.4 Billion dollars in a drive to be able to place a team of people on the surface of the planet Mars by the end of this decade. NASA officials were stunned when the White House did not blink at the proposed figure, indeed, said quite simply; "Money is not a problem."
It has been a dream for many Americans to put men into space, but with the current economic climate it was thought that all future space explorations were put on a back burner. But with a single phone call, hope has blossomed for millions of people around the world, to see mankind step upon another planet in the solar system.
The White House had a press conference after the announcement was made, and reporters asked why the sudden interest in space? "Was it because of a new space race starting with the China?" a reporter from Newsweek asked. "No," said the spokesperson from the White House, "It's because of the situation in Iraq. Now that we have Saddam Hussein in custody, we need a place to try him fairly."

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The above was posted to a mailing list by a person who is known for deapan delivery of jokes like this.

The Xmas Files

THE XMAS-FILES
89 PLAIN STREET
NEW YORK CITY, NY.
11:51 P.M., DECEMBER 24TH

We're too late! It's already been here. Mulder, I hope you know what you're doing.

Look, Scully, just like the other homes: Douglas fir, truncated, mounted, transformed into a shrine; halls decked with boughs of holly; stockings hung by the chimney, with care.

You really think someone's been here?

Someone, or something.

Mulder, over here -- it's a fruitcake.

Don't touch it! Those things can be lethal.

It's O.K. There's a note attached: "Gonna find out who's naughty and nice."

It's judging them, Scully. It's making a list.

Who? What are you talking about?

Ancient mythology tells of an obese humanoid entity who could travel at great speed in a craft powered by antlered servants. Once each year, near the winter solstice, this creature is said to descend from the heavens to reward its followers and punish disbelievers with jagged chunks of anthracite.

But that's legend, Mulder -- a story told by parents to frighten children. Surely you don't believe it?

Something was here tonight, Scully. Check out the bite marks on this gingerbread man. Whatever tore through this plate of cookies was massive -- and in a hurry.

It left crumbs everywhere. And look, Mulder, this milk glass has been completely drained.

It gorged itself, Scully. It fed without remorse.

But why would they leave it milk and cookies?

Appeasement. Tonight is the Eve, and nothing can stop its wilding.

But if this thing does exist, how did it get in? The doors and windows were locked. There's no sign of forced entry.

Unless I miss my guess, it came through the fireplace.

Wait a minute, Mulder. If you're saying some huge creature landed on the roof and came down this chimney! You're crazy. The flue is barely six inches wide. Nothing could get down there.

But what if it could alter its shape, move in all directions at once?

You mean, like a bowl full of jelly?

Exactly. Scully, I've never told anyone this, but when I was a child my home was visited. I saw the creature. It had long white shanks of fur surrounding its ruddy, misshapen head. Its bloated torso was red and white. I'll never forget the horror. I turned away, and when I looked back it had somehow taken on the facial features of my father.

Impossible.

I know what I saw. And that night it read my mind. It brought me a Mr. Potato Head, Scully. It knew that I wanted a Mr. Potato Head!

I'm sorry, Mulder, but you're asking me to disregard the laws of physics. You want me to believe in some supernatural being who soars across the skies and brings gifts to good little girls and boys. Listen to what you're saying. Do you understand the repercussions? If this gets out, they'll close the X-Files.

Scully, listen to me: It knows when you're sleeping. It knows when you're awake.

But we have no proof.

Last year, on this exact date, SETI radio telescopes detected bogeys in the airspace over twenty-seven states. The White House ordered a Condition Red.

But that was a meteor shower.

Officially. Two days ago, eight prized Scandinavian reindeer vanished from the National Zoo, in Washington, D.C. Nobody -- not even the zoo keeper -- was told about it. The government doesn't want people to know about Project Kringle. They fear that if this thing is proved to exist the public will stop spending half its annual income in a holiday shopping frenzy. Retail markets will collapse. Scully, they cannot let the world believe this creature lives. There's too much at stake. They'll do whatever it takes to insure another silent night.

Mulder, I ...

Sh-h-h. Do you hear what I hear?

On the roof. It sounds like a clatter. The truth is up there....

Don't ask, Don't tell my ass!

Check out the Army Service Ribbon here

Does that or does that not look like a Pride decoration?