In-depth education--The Flint, Michigan, school superintendent proposed that future public schools be built mostly underground to save on heating and air conditioning.

How to really use a bonfire--Delaware Tech and J.P. Morgan Chase sponsored a "Bank It!" day-camp to introduce youngsters to the world of finance and banking. A Delaware reader sent the leaflet plus the irate comment, "Kids should go to camp and learn to cook hot dogs, not how to cook the books!"

One for our side--"Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania--A Pennsylvania judge ruled against a man who is trying to stop his pregnant former girlfriend from aborting their child. The judge declared that a woman’s right to an abortion was not subject to veto by husband or partner."--Los Angeles Times, August 7.

What a novel idea--"County hospitals trim costs by hiking rates for the poor."--Headline, Oakland, California, Tribune.

Mixed metaphor--"Terry McAuliffe, the Democratic [Party] chairman, calls Enron ‘a metaphor for the Bush administration’ after making some $18 million on a $100,000 insider’s stake in the now bankrupt Global Crossing."--News commentary.

‘Militant’ subscription anyone?--A letter to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and reprinted in Accounting World fumes at media adjectives on criminal corporate exposures: "Corporate greed, corporate accounting irregularities, corporate missteps, corporate cheaters...[But] the word is crime. Corporate crime!"

The rational society--"Conn- ecticut’s four drug courts will be closed August 1 as part of state budget cuts. The courts offered drug treatment programs instead of jail time to drug addicts facing nonviolent drug charges. About 170 addicts will be put back in the regular court system where they could face jail time....Closing the courts is expected to save $1 million."--News Item.

The non-alienated society--Some years back we were a bit surprised to learn that some stressed-out folks joined therapy groups in order to learn how to scream. Now we read about a fellow in Germany who was busted for walking in a forest screaming loudly. Cops said they collared him after area complaints, and he told them it was his way of relieving the stress of everyday life. He faces a $75 fine and was advised to find other means of simmering down.

Thought for the week--"Nasdaq sinks to five-year low; Dow drops 269--Fearful investors flee to Treasury securities as another economic report suggests that the recovery may be running out of steam."--August 6 Los Angeles Times business section.  
 
 
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