Which is the bigger thief?-- "One of the hottest items on the black market right now is powdered infant food, particularly those high-end mixes for babies with special nutritional needs.... FBI investigators say the theft of powdered formula, which retails for as much as $25 per 14-ounce can, is a multimillion-dollar business for international crime organizations that repackage the powder."--News item.

'Can't hear: did you say shoot, then ask?'--Los Angeles cops are bleating about the new $21-million radio system installed in patrol cars by Motorola.

They complain that sometimes they can't understand what's being said, or can't hear anything at all. A reassuring Motorola spokesperson advised: "It will take some time for officers to get comfortable with the system."

Trains, brains, capitalism-- "A...plan to dramatically improve some of London's busiest rail commuter lines was postponed indefinitely.... The delay leaves nearly 100,000 passengers not knowing when their trains will be able to run on time, heaping more embarrassment on the government over the chaotic rail service."--The Evening Standard, London.

Oh--Philip Morris, which has a lock on the Czech tobacco business, was caught off balance by the public anger sparked by its report that premature deaths from smoking save the government medical costs, pensions, and housing. A company spokesperson explained, "We were just trying to show the implications."

Capitalist servant--For nearly a decade Vladimir Montesinos served as spy chief for Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, who is now back in Japan and immune from extradition. Meanwhile, Montesinos is in prison. The New York Times sketched the highlights of his career: Army officer; CIA hireling; lawyer for drug lords; spymaster for Fujimori. His last chapter: Alleged extortion; embezzlement; drug running; and--safe to assume--blows against fighting workers.

What's the fuss?--Officials in Calhoun County, Alabama, home of the Army's newest chemical weapon incinerator, refused to join a state campaign to teach people what to do in a nerve gas emergency.

Golden shaft--In New York, a car is a nightmare. But if you own a million-dollar condo, you can wait in line to buy a parking condo. The spaces run as high as $80,000, but it beats coming home and circling the block for a parking spot. And you can drive to work in midtown Manhattan where parking is maybe $1,000 a month. So far, it's cheaper to take the subway.

We're probably late--Back from a New York visit, a friend told us that many of the 19th century tenement dwellings still seem fully rented, save one that's a museum where people pay admission to see how folks lived back then.

It occurred to us that these firetraps could be marketed as quaint condos. Also, the hall toilet on each floor could be sold to occupants as a cooperative.  
 
 
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