BY HARRY RING
Miniporcine? - Senior British detectives have decided to
spiff up the name of stool pigeons so that they'll have
greater self-esteem and work harder. They're weighing such
niceties as "agent," "source," or "intelligence asset." To
assure a good choice, they may consult a psychologist.
Another branch of Murder Inc. - General Electric shareholders rejected a proposal that the company clean up accumulations of the toxic compound PCB in the areas of its plants in the Northeast. PCB contamination had generally become so pervasive that in 1977 the government banned its use. GE chairman John Welch said, "We simply do not believe" PCBs are dangerous.
Safe as cigarettes - PCBs "bioaccumulate in organisms and can cause skin disorders, liver dysfunction, reproductive disorders, and tumor formation. They are one of the most abundant organochlorine contaminants found throughout the world." - Gale Encyclopedia of Science.
As long as it's not for fun -Before putting the impotence drug Viagra on the market, the Pfizer company checked with Vatican medical experts who gave it the okay.
A Pfizer spokesperson said they don't normally discuss new drugs with the Vatican, but because Viagra is used to improve sexual relations, "we just thought it was the responsible thing to do."
New academic standard -Amanda Lemon, 18, a student with top grades, was barred from joining her Ohio high school's honor society when the faculty council learned she was a mother. School officials said parenthood is a barrier to membership in the society.
Sock it to 'em - Disney doesn't often lose in the courts, but Denise Winters, 24, was awarded $65,000 damages by a Southern California jury. Disneyland had falsely accused her of shoplifting a $30 Mickey Mouse doll. She said she pressed the case to convince her son, five, of the need to stand up for your rights.
Wait, there's more - A Disneyland security cop had busted Winters several hours after she bought the doll. She and her fiancée were grilled for two hours and released. Leaving the park, she found the receipt in one of her pockets, returned and had the purchase verified. Yet Disney pressed charges. She was found not guilty and then sued.
Meanwhile, she notes, "They never even gave us the doll back."
Try shrink wrap - Joining in with other carriers, American Airlines said that beginning June 1, passengers will be limited to two carry-on items that must fit into baggage sizers at the gates. We predict: Less baggage will mean more seats and less leg room. To minimize the problem, travelers will have to fit into a people sizer prior to boarding.
Whoops! - With mounting air traffic congestion, the number of reported near misses in Britain doubled. In 1996, 26 incidents were reported, compared with 16 in 1995, 11 in '94, and 13 each in '93 and '92.
Safety officials said the increase was due to improved monitoring and an increased inclination by air traffic controllers to report incidents. Meanwhile, it was reported that passenger traffic is at a record high.