(CNN) Washington – In a surprising move, Attorney General John Ashcroft announced Friday that all almanacs would be banned immediately. When questioned as to why such measures were being taken Ascroft stated that there was ‘credible information’ that terrorist groups were using the books for nefarious purposes. As of 5 pm Friday major bookstores were rushing to pull the targeted books from their shelves. In a further move the corporate offices of all publishers of almanacs were raided, and their records seized. When asked about the raids Ashcroft would only say that they were necessary to ensure our nations security, and were entirely legal under the Patriot act.

The new regulation also hit air traffic hard. Several international flights were cancelled when routine luggage checks turned up almanacs. In Chicago an Arab man was caught with the forbidden book and arrested- sources say he will be transported to the Guantanamo holding facility in Cuba for questioning.

Ashcroft also went on to say that every terrorist cell uncovered in the US had been found in possesion of a phone book, and that the FBI was investigating to see if further action- presumably a ban on phone books- needed to be taken.

Director of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge, could not be reached for comment as he was busy throwing darts at a color chart.