While the United states Armed Forces (private mercenaries) are stationed at 737 bases, in 130 nations around the world, defending “all freedom-loving people everywhere in the world,” the Federal court for the district of colorado hands down United states v. Nacchio: judge Edward W. Nottingham sentences former Chairman Joseph P. Nacchio, of Qwest Communications to six years in prison and a 71,000,000 “dollar” fine, for “insider stock trading” (refusing to co-operate with the National Security Agency).

       Postscript: Nine years later Nottingham resigned from the bench when his dalliances with a prostitute were revealed to the public.

       [added 4/27/2024] Thanks to Freedoms Phoenix for this entry.