Out on the street—Philip Purcell lost his job as top dog at Morgan Stanley, the global banking service. However, he will receive $250,000 a year for life, plus medical insurance and $43.9 million bonus money.

Deep pockets—Vice President Cheney must be purring. The Pentagon reports that Halliburton, the top war contractor, has passed the $9 billion mark. The latest deal is nearly $5 billion. Prior to his election, Cheney was top dog at Halliburton. Currently, he receives paid leave. The new contract was signed in May and disclosed in July. An Army spokesperson offers a lucid explanation: “We did not announce this task order as this is really not something we ever really thought about doing.”

Next, if you’re not dead—Under a new policy at the Los Angeles County jails, sick inmates must get the OK from a nurse to see a doctor. If the nurse rules there’s no need for a doctor, the rejects have to cough up $3. And, if the prisoner is still ill and comes back, the nurse-gatekeeper charges another $3.

A nation of home owners?—Utah Habitat for Humanity is facing major difficulty in its effort to build some low-cost housing. Hit by the run-away cost of building materials, the organization was able to build but two homes last year. This year it will be one.

Note to inmates—Kirk Shelton, former assistant top dog at the Cendant Corp., faces up to 15 years. He was convicted of inflating company earnings by $286 million. He asked the judge to grant him probation and community services. He says he’s devoted to his family, works in the community, and has a reputation for integrity.

Isn’t that wonderful—A UN news release announced that “an American” has been appointed to head the UN agency charged with caring for 4 million Palestinian refugees in the Middle East. No mention of the fact that they were driven out by the Israeli regime, which would be a basket case without the flow of U.S. dollars and weapons.  
 
 
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