Long, hard battle--It was a 16-year fight by residents in Wilmington, southern California. The Ultramar oil refinery has agreed to reduce the danger level in the use of hydrogen fluoride, a deadly chemical employed in refining gasoline. It’s said to be the last refinery in the state to do so. In 1984, there was world horror when a like chemical escaped from a refinery in Bhopal, India. Thousands in the area died from the lung-searing cloud and thousands more suffered gruesome injury. Ultramar agreed that within two years it would switch to a less lethal form of the chemical or pay a $1 million fine.

Slick as vermin--The Justice Dept., no less, bleats that companies are rebuilding plants without including pollution controls as required by the Clean Air Act. Midwest factories send poisonous clouds far and wide. The feds have filed suit against FirstEnergy in Akron, Ohio, which spent 14 years improving its plant. But no pollution controls. Why not? They weren’t rebuilding, just doing maintenance.

No comment--"EPA plans to relax toxic emission standards--The proposals would allow businesses, such as chemical plants, to monitor their own releases and apply less rigorous controls"--News headline.

Go to bed early--The feds predict a 40 percent jump in heating oil prices this winter. By a strange coincidence, Central Hudson Gas & Electric in mid-state New York, predicts a 40 percent hike in natural gas. It asserts that cold weather is responsible for 75 percent of the swollen gas bills. It offers a free suggestion. Lower your thermostat.

The guillotine, too?--A new French law makes it a criminal offense to boo a performance of the Marseillaise or insult national symbols. Offenders face six months in jail or a $7,500 fine. The statute was prompted by booing at two soccer games.

A dicey business--Major insurance companies in the United Kingdom declared they will not sell life insurance policies to soldiers slated for combat in Iraq. Prudential, Standard Life and others declared it "too risky."

Militant Labor Forum Anyone?--We received a belated notice that Prof. Glenn Loury of Boston University had spoken at UC Los Angeles. The title suggested a heavy duty analysis: "Racial Stigma: Towards a New Paradigm for Discrimination Theory."

A goof. Please note--In issue #5 (February 10) there was a screwup on how to send items for this column. There are two choices: Send clippings by U.S. mail to Great Society c/o Pathfinder Bookstore, 4229 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90011 or e-mail to 74642.326@compuserve.com. Thanks.  
 
 
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