China Fires Journalists for Letting Mention of Tiananmen Square Slip Into Newspaper

Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine:

Tiananmen Square Ad

Earlier this week we told you about an ad referring to the Tiananmen Square massacre slipping into a Chinese newspaper Monday — the 18th anniversary of the killing of hundreds — perhaps thousands — of pro-democracy protesters.

Now Reuters is reporting that three editors at the Chengdu Evening News in southwestern China have been fired. All references to Tiananmen are barred by the Communist Party. As a result many young people have no idea what happened back then.

A Hong Kong newspaper says a young clerk who had never heard of the incident allowed the classified ad to get into the paper. It read — "Paying tribute to the strong-willed mothers of June 4 victims." The clerk called the man who placed the ad and he told her it referred to a mining disaster.

Reuters says the man tried to place the same ad in two other newspapers but walked away as editors checked with superiors. It is unclear if he's been arrested.

Dead Zone

When the meltdown of the nuclear reactor at Chernobyl released radiation into the air in 1986 many people assumed the area would turn into a nuclear dead zone. But now it appears that wildlife and plant life are flourishing in the area — even though radiation continues to be up to 100 times higher than normal.

Some scientists say this confirms nature's ability to adapt. Other researchers say that while animals have returned — they often suffer genetic damage.

Still, some of the 300 mostly elderly residents who live in the contaminated evacuation zone eat locally produced plants and animals — and say they aren't worried about the effects.

Grounding the Angels?

Peace advocacy groups in San Francisco are trying to torpedo this year's shows by the Blue Angels flying team during Fleet Week.

The shows have been a tradition since 1981 and pump millions into the local economy. But the groups say the flyovers are a safety risk, waste fuel, contribute to noise pollution and promote the military.

The man who runs Fleet Week says he thinks the shows are safe — and give the area a chance to say thanks to people serving in the military.

Concealed Weapons

And the sheriff of Larimer County, Colorado says he thinks university students and faculty should be permitted to carry concealed weapons.

Sheriff Jim Alderden writes an editorial on his office's Web site — and refers to this spring's massacre at Virginia Tech in which 32 people were killed by a single gunman.

He says — "One of the real tragedies of the situation at Virginia Tech is that misguided administrators created a gun-free zone."

Larimer told a local TV station — "When you create an area where law-abiding citizens can't defend themselves, it just creates a greater opportunity for those who are criminally-minded."

—FOX News Channel's Martin Hill contributed to this report.