The Militant(logo) 
    Vol.60/No.25           June 24, 1996 
 
 
The Great Society  

The values system - "MIAMI (AP) - As divers raked the murky bottom of the Everglades for the remains of passengers in the ValuJet crash, lawyers circled the hotel where relatives were staying.... Some were handed fliers, some received flowers; many got phone calls and mailings."

McDonnell Douglas and outsourcing - For the aerospace company, outsourcing is not a matter of principle, even if the issue sparked a strike at its St. Louis plant. For instance, earlier this year, it paid a fine for overpricing spare parts for federal contracts. A subcontractor had been making door hooks for $389 apiece. The company decided to make them itself, billing the feds $8,842 each.

Fact-of-life dep't - Even rich people find it tough to get housing in Singapore. So it didn't sit well when it was disclosed that Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew and his son had picked up a luxury condo at a $700,000 discount. Formally retired as prime minister, but still the top dog, Lee snapped back at his critics that this happens because, "I am me." He added, "It's not a level playing field."

Free-market medicine - Ivan Namihas, a southern California doctor, was convicted in federal court of conning nine patients into believing they had such diseases as cancer or AIDS and performing unnecessary laser surgery. Under federal sentencing guidelines, he faces six years, max.

Easy, by being a cop - "Workaholic Jim Slate was one of the best officers Merced ever had, So how did he wind up betraying his family, his town and his badge by stealing cocaine from a bust?" - California news item.

The justice system - James Trimble, an Urbandale, Iowa, cop was busted last January while carrying a $20,000 stash of methamphetamines. Trimble, who worked in a youth antidrug program, admitted lifting the drugs from the police evidence room. He wasn't charged with theft, and he wasn't tried on the drug possession charge in federal court where he might have drawn five to 15 years. Instead, he was tried in state court where he got probation.

Where the taking is easy - A public relations firm that does work for the California transportation department billed the state for such "expenses" as football tickets, skiing and golf. Also, raises for employees. The principal raise went to Steve Tobia, the company owner. His wages increased from $75 an hour to $120.

A good learner - Michele Noble, a first-year high schooler, won the California History Day competition with a display on the late Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers. After visiting farm areas and interviewing farm workers, she commented: "They have one of the toughest jobs out there".  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home