[OG Note: Does anyone else have the urge to split sides laughing as they imagine a Gilbert and Sullivan version of this ludicrous incident? "Two jailbirds and fools are we. . ." "A poltician's lot is not a happy one. . ."]

NYPost

JESSE'S JAILED WIFE ON HUNGER STRIKE

By CLEMENTE LISI

June 26, 2001 -- The wife of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, arrested a week ago for protesting the Vieques bombings, has joined the Rev. Al Sharpton by staging a hunger strike, it was revealed yesterday.

"My wife has not eaten in five days," Jackson, speaking by telephone from San Juan, told hundreds of supporters gathered at a rally at the health and hospital workers union headquarters in Manhattan.

"It's a spiritual and private matter." [OG: PRIVATE??? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!]

Sharpton, who has been on a hunger strike since May 29, is in a federal prison in Brooklyn.

Jackson visited protesters in Puerto Rico on Saturday, but did not trespass on the U.S. Navy land. He said he was on the island so he could work with lawyers in trying to set a court date for his wife, Jacqueline, who is in a federal prison in suburban San Juan.

The people in jail "are suffering for a higher cause and will do so until the bombings stop," he said.

"This is the most patriotic, moral cause we can take up." [OG: Translation--"This is the best we can come up with." Sheesh, quit while you're behind, Jesse.]

President Bush has called for training exercises on the island to end in 2003.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2001