Bombs, not blankets - The Senate Armed Services Committee voted a $267 billion appropriation for the war machine, 12.9 billion more than requested.

They also voted to ax the Pentagon's homeless support program which consists of handing out some blankets and opening some armories in winter. The senators concluded that "providing $3.5 million for this program qualifies as interference with military preparedness."

No comment - In Omaha, Nebraska, the school board enforced its zero-tolerance weapons policy by upholding the one-year suspension of a student who brought a kitchen knife to school to peel her orange.

Cops will be cops - Brig. Gen. Enrique Salgado takes over as chief of Mexico city police amid mounting concern about a wave of kidnappings, killings and drug scandal. Part of the problem, says one news dispatch, is the more than 100 police commanders retired by Salgado's predecessor. Many turned to kidnapping and extortion.

Fire? Douse it with your 7-Up - Except in lavatories, no U.S. airliners have smoke detectors or sprinkler systems in the passenger section. Why not? The FAA doesn't require it. Further, adds a Boeing spokesperson, passengers noses are sufficient, "It doesn't take long to figure out if there's smoke," she said. "They can tell in a minute."

Hey, here's one who kept his promise! - Arizona's Gov. Fife Symington was indicted on charges of lying on loan applications and trying to use his office to get out from under a $10 million loan. A real estate shark, he stumped on the promise that he would run the state like his own business.

Makes sense, no? - When you save up and buy a box of cereal, here's how your dollars are divvied up: 6.5 percent goes for the grain and 8.5 percent for other ingredients (mainly sugar); labor, a fast 6.5 percent; packaging, 11.5 percent; capital costs (?), 12.5 percent; advertising 37.5 percent; profit, a thumping 17 percent.

Beat the (Postal) system - Those clippings you've been intending to send, as soon as you get stamps? Bring them to the Oberlin socialist education conference. We'll gladly accept hand delivery. And, for those who don't get there, send your clips c/o Pathfinder Books, 2546 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90006, or fax to (213) 380-1268.  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home