They do get big crumbs--Between World War I and II, "experts" promoted the notion that global arms dealers, not imperialism, promoted war. This came to mind with a headline in the Financial Times of London on the India-Pakistan confrontation: "Arms dealers see bonanza in stand-off."

The can-do society--Initial findings are in on gas stations that have complied with a nationwide federal order to replace storage tanks leaking a "possible" carcinogen. In California, a check found that two-thirds of the new tanks also leak.

'Can't you see we're busy?'--In the United Kingdom, the National Health Service keeps cancer victims waiting up to eight months for radiology treatment that should begin within four weeks. The criminal delay is attributed to a shortage of radiologists.

What else is new?--"UK's rich are getting richer, report says"--Headline, Times of London.

...meanwhile--"The [Labour Party] New Deal program, which promised work for 250,000 young people, has resulted in 20,000 jobs at most in its first two years."--Times, London.

Recollections--During the 1930s depression, Franklin Roosevelt's "New Deal" scraped up a relative handful of make-work jobs under the WPA (Works Project Administration.). It took WWII to relieve the jobs crisis.

And also--Heads of families on welfare who got WPA jobs found their monthly wage was lower than their welfare check. In some areas, union-type organizations of the jobless fought for and won supplementary relief. That is, the difference between their welfare and their WPA checks. (No, brainy Bush didn't dream up the idea of shoving people from welfare into an even lower income bracket.)

You haven't read it yet?--Not to be a pest, but the news of the day bears frequent testimony to how rotted the education system is. And The Working Class and the Transformation of Learning, by Jack Barnes, offers an incisive explanation of why it's so, as well a look at the inspiring alternative offered by socialism. Order it at the new Pathfinder web site: www.pathfinderpress.com.

As we were saying-- "Financial ills plague public colleges. Stung by the recession, state systems nationwide hike tuition, cut course offerings, limit enrollment and reduce faculty.''--Los Angeles Times, March 17.  
 
 
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