The healthy society--As it was reported in USA Today, we found the data difficult to follow. And in the medical field, there are reservations about the numbers. But the essence of the matter is that a massive, six-year study of children and teenagers showed a dramatic increase in the number taking antidepressant medications.

Relax, it's only people--The governor of North Carolina says he intends to speed up distribution of emergency funds to people whose homes were damaged or demolished by Hurricane Floyd. Because of red tape, he said, less than $66 million of a $464 million emergency fund has been distributed. The hurricane slammed into the state in 1999.

Note to pet people--Our cat, we presume, doesn't read, and some may think that perhaps it's just as well. From London came a clipping that two distributors of choice frozen chicken cutlets issued recalls. The chicken, intended for pet food, was unfit for human consumption.

Fly capitalist class--In the coming years, predicts Boeing, first and business class passengers will fly on new, faster planes, while economy-class folks will continue to squeeze into the old jalopies. The aircraft giant told the Times of London that first-class flyers feel uncomfortable with economy travelers walking through their area to get to the steerage section. Boeing also anticipates some airports will complete the segregation by building separate first-class terminals.

P.S.--Boeing's coming first-class jetliners will fly at a higher altitude, making for faster travel time and less turbulence. Also, we presume somewhat fresher recycled cabin air.

Dicey situation--The queen of the United Kingdom is no longer the richest person in her realm. And the richest person in the world is reputed to be Robson Walton, head of the Wal-Mart chain. Bill Gates, the computer software hustler, dropped to second spot--perhaps because of the humongous water bills he's been running up at his Seattle pad.

How many people has he bitten?--In Newport News, Virginia, a police dog has been suspended for sinking his teeth into two cops. His rap sheet shows that earlier he bit another cop. The police are trying to determine why he bites them.

Thought for the week--"Nationwide, at least 25,000 schools need major repairs or outright replacement....But in few places is the shortfall as keenly felt as in rural America, where economic decline and a population shift into the cities have left small towns with little money to support their schools--and the fear that they may become ghost towns if they allow their schools to close."--Los Angles Times, May 13.  
 
 
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