‘Mother Nature’—Another Times headline: “Fires roaring mostly where prevention funding lagged.” A subheading read: “Some homeowners could be surprised to discover that their coverage was inadequate.”

Brimming with optimism—“Illinois: Springfield—An early retirement program offered to state employees last year will increase government costs $380 million for the next nine years…. About 11,000 employees took the option.”—News item.

The ‘justice’ system—“Tennessee: Chattanooga—A death row inmate whose sentence was overturned in 2002 must post bond of $100,000 or wait behind bars for his new trial, a judge ruled. Michael McCormack spent 15 years on death row after being convicted in the killing of a pharmacist in 1985. The sentence was overturned in 2001 when a judge ruled McCormack had ineffective representation.”—News item.

You know, the feds are pretty busy—“A state committee report says racial harassment is a big problem in Vermont schools despite efforts to combat it. The Vermont Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights says some minority students are forced to change schools, move or turn to home schooling….”—USA Today

Free education?—School staffs in England and Wales were chopped more than 21,000 staff members, according to a report by the National Union of Teachers—The Times, London.

Try delivering pizzas—The cost of U.S. college education has spiraled more than 40 percent in the past 10 years. What a deal! The wonderful booklet, The Working Class and the Transformation of Learning, is available at a discount when purchased with an introductory subscription to this paper. You’ve already got both? Fine. Shop early for Marxmas.  
 
 
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