BOSTON -- "It is imperative that this beef be kept out of the hands of American consumers," said the Department of Agriculture," and instead will be redirected to and consumed by Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts."
    Five of the patients who became ill, including four children, required hospitalization. While all cases so far reported were in Colorado, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta reported six other cases of illness in California, Michigan, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming that may be linked to the bad beef.
    Senator Kennedy said was "giddy" and had already started up the grill.