Nation in brief

Terror fears block a Muslim cemetery

SOMERVILLE, Tenn. - Muslims planned to turn an old sod farm near Memphis into a cemetery, but angry neighbors protested, complaining the burial ground could become a staging ground for terrorists or spread disease from unembalmed bodies.

It was not the first time a group faced opposition when trying to build a cemetery or a mosque, but the dispute stood out for the clarity of its anti-Muslim rhetoric.

"We know for a fact that Muslim mosques have been used as terrorist hideouts and centers for terrorist activities," farmer John Wilson told members of a planning commission last month.

Belinda Ghosheh, owner of the 5-acre plot being considered for the cemetery, said a meeting of planning officials drew such a hostile crowd she feared for her safety. One woman yelled, "We don't need bin Laden's cousins in our neighborhood."

Ghosheh and her husband, a native of the Middle East who has been a U.S. citizen for more than 20 years, live in neighboring Shelby County.

Critics also complained that the cemetery could be a health hazard because Muslims traditionally do not embalm their dead.

But Muhammad Zaman, a physician and associate professor of medicine at the University of Tennessee, said the practice is safe.

An application from the Muslim Society of Memphis for a zoning exemption to build the cemetery was withdrawn before a vote by the Fayette County Commission. The society is weighing options, including refiling the request.

DENVER - Residents of Samaritan House didn't know what to expect when the bearded, middle-aged man parked his sport utility vehicle in front of the downtown homeless shelter Friday.

The man walked into the building, pulled out a thick roll of $100 bills and began passing them out to each of the approximately 300 residents.

When he was finished, he had given out $35,000.

"It was like seeing Santa Claus and God all at once," said William Chengelis, who has lived at the shelter since November. "You hear about stuff like that, but you don't think you'll be there when it happens."

As a crowd gathered, the man said he had once been homeless and knew what it was like to be in need. He did not identify himself and said only that he lived in Denver and had also distributed money at a Las Vegas shelter.

Possibly the man's biggest single donation was $5,000 to a family of six to find housing.

WASHINGTON CROSSING, N.J. - Thousands of spectators along the Delaware River were disappointed Saturday when high, fast-flowing waters forced the re-enactment of Gen. George Washington's historic crossing to be canceled for the third straight year.

The rush of water, caused by recent heavy rains, was too much for re-enactors to replicate the 1776 feat by Washington and his Continental troops that set the stage for key Revolutionary War victories.

Bad weather also forced re-enactments to be postponed in 2002 and 2003, but river conditions in 1776 were even rougher.

Washington and his poorly equipped troops made crossed the river in the dark, in driving sleet and with ice on the river. The army went on to key victories in Trenton and Princeton, reversing the declining fortunes of the Continental Army.

WASHINGTON - The College Republican National Committee is under fire for using front organizations to collect millions of dollars in contributions, including money from elderly people with dementia.

During the 2004 campaign, the group sent out direct mail solicitations under such letterheads as "Republican Headquarters 2004" and "Republican Election Committee."

Many donors complained that they thought the money was going directly to the Republican Party, and not to the college group, which no longer is affiliated with the GOP.

The controversy over the letters has produced angry responses from leaders of state College Republican chapters.

HOUSTON - The kids were naughty, Dad put the presents on eBay instead of under the tree and Mom's been crying ever since.

Saturday morning was sure not to be very jolly for three brothers ages 9, 11 and 15, who didn't straighten up when their father told them Santa wasn't too pleased with their fighting, curses and obscene gestures.

Dad and Mom had warned their sons that the Nintendo DS video system and the three games that go with it were headed for the auction block if they didn't get their act together.

When Dad announced he would auction off the $700 in gifts, the oldest boy double-dared his dad to make good on his word.

Thursday night, the auction wound down with bidding below the price the man had set.

He said he would probably try again.

"These are normally really good kids," said Dad, whose name was withheld.

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