From the wire

Oct. 6: According to a recent poll conducted by the New York Times and CBS News, the majority of Americans are concerned that “the nation’s economy is in its worst shape in nearly a decade and that President Bush and Congressional leaders are spending too much time talking about Iraq while neglecting problems at home.” Forty-one percent of Americans surveyed said they approved of the way President Bush is managing the economy. The results also showed that many Americans support Bush’s campaign against Iraq, but fear a costly war that might provoke further terrorist attacks. Those responding also expressed their desire that the United States not enter a war with Iraq without support from allies or before United Nations weapons inspectors have the opportunity to enter Iraq.

 Oct. 7: In Bowie, Md., a 13- year-old boy was shot and critically injured at the entrance of his school, marking the eighth attack connecting to a “roving sniper” who has killed six adults in the Washington, D.C. suburban area since Oct. 3. While most of the shootings have been in suburban Montgomery County, other shootings have occurred in Washington, D.C., Prince George’s County and Fredericksburg, Va. According to experts in mass murder and profiling of killers, the sniper does not fit any of the usual categories because seems to choose his victims at random and with no apparent motive. These experts say, “most mass murderers, for example kill to settle a grudge or avenge a perceived wrong, targeting victims who are relatives, colleagues or members of an ethnic group they hate.” Also, the sniper has used a single shot in each of his attacks, which experts say suggests less aggression than most mass murderers. On Oct. 8, Attorney General John Ashcroft approved Montgomery County Police Chief Charles Moose’s request for federal assistance in the investigation under the federal law’s “‘serial killing provisions.’”

 Oct. 7: In a speech on Monday evening, President Bush addressed the nation with the message that the threat of an attack on the United States by Iraq is growing, but that military action by the United States is not “imminent or unavoidable.” Bush accused Iraq of developing nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and warned that America is ready to build international coalition against Saddam Hussein if he defies demands to disarm. Iraq continues to deny “possessing weapons of mass destruction or the means to produce them.” Abdul Aziz Shwaish, head of the finance, trade and planning committee, said, “‘we have no weapons of mass destruction and the whole world knows that, but Bush wants to impose his hegemony on the world and subject Iraq to his rule.’” Iraqi newspapers quoted Saddam Hussein as saying that Iraq is ready to resist any invasion. “‘With whatever weapons we have in our hands, and after depending on God with faith, and because we are on the course of righteousness, we are able to confront any aggressor, from wherever he comes,’” Hussein said.