For Big Business and the politicians, the fix is already under way. In early November, members of Congress opened the hiring office for mainly professorial “experts.” Congress will take it from there. The initial press interview suggests that if it finds it can’t do better for the U.S. rulers, it may settle for pinning whatever they can on the Army Corps of Engineers.

A spokesperson told reporters that the Corps “still had some of the best engineers in the world.” She said she had been unaware of allegations of corruption in New Orleans levee construction.

A tread-softly civil engineering prof told Senators: “We are receiving disturbing reports that there may have been some conscious human error involved. There may have been some malfeasance.”

P.S. Stop the press—Another civil engineering prof confided to a Los Angeles Times reporter that officials have “troubling” reports that several builders had received no-bid contracts in the early 1990s.

Public service—“RIO RANCH, New Mexico—The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico has advised science teachers in Rio Ranch that they don’t have to teach or discuss a theory called intelligent design, and they should contact the ACLU if they’re disciplined for refusing.

“The school board in August adopted a policy allowing alternative theories of evolution to be discussed in science classes.”—News item

U.S. territory— Union leaders warned that Puerto Rico’s government plans to lay off 20,000 to 30,000 workers and called for a protest. Union officials said that at least four public agencies have given advance warning of the pending cuts to help the territory to cut down a budget deficit. The governor hasn’t confirmed the layoff.  
 
 
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