Hunger fighters or phonies?—The article was in the Chicago Spanish-language weekly, La Raza. Along with a translation, it was sent to us by Pattie Thompson, a Chicago Militant supporter. The article points to the hunger among U.S. children and singles out companies said to be helping them. The article has all the earmarks of what publicists call a “handout.” (Keep reading.)

Case for Truth Squad?—The La Raza article lacks a customary author’s name, and fails to indicate the source of the news. The key point is a big pat on the back for Tyson Foods which, we’re told, is donating enough chicken, pork, etc. to make 3 million meals. A top exec declares the company “has committed itself to solving the problem of hunger.” No mention of tax benefits, or free advertising, like the La Raza article. And certainly no mention of the 470 Tyson workers at Jefferson, Wisconsin, on strike four months, fighting Tyson’s demand for reduced wages, higher med premiums, and more.

Also ‘hunger fighters’?—The feds seized a record 22 million pounds of rat- and vermin-infested meat and food at the Le Grau Cold Storage warehouse in Chicago. That was a year ago. Now three executives have been indicted for covering up the conditions. A federal prosecutor said it was not accidental but rather a matter of “greed.”

Oh, oh Chapter 11—General Motors is launching a $13 billion bond sale to make up part of the $18.3 billion it owes the pension fund of GM employees. The pension fund gap is the largest of any U.S. company.

Measure of success—“Patients are more likely to die in hospitals rated as outstanding by the government than in those labeled as failing, an investigation has revealed.”—The Times of London.

Fat bureaucrats too?—“Fat People Will Have to Diet If They Want To See The Doctor—Patients’ contracts plan to stop waste of health service resources”—London news headline.

Fast shuffle artists—Congress is again weighing a deal to contribute more than $130 million to eastern Shoshone Indians to erase treaty violations. Opponents declare the deal would wipe out claims for 23 million acres of land covered by an 1863 treaty.  
 
 
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