BY HARRY RING
Tweak, tweak - In Brazil, the San Francisco Chronicle reports, a series of Cuban-sponsored travel ads feature the slogan, "Do what eight (U.S.) presidents were not able to: Invade Cuba."
`Too cheap to meter' - The Tennessee Valley Authority has been licensed to operate the Watts Bar nuclear power plant. Initiated in 1972, the plant was almost licensed in 1985. But, amid ongoing protests, the feds ordered hundreds of safety modifications. It was originally estimated that the plant would cost $370 million. That's now up to $7 billion.
Sure, like the government - The National Research Council disclosed that in a 1950s Air Force experiment, 102 indigenous Alaskans and 19 GIs were given doses of radioactive iodine without their consent or knowledge. A member of the federal panel told AP that "the researchers were good people who did what seemed to be appropriate at the time."
National security? - In southern Iowa, a freight train derailed, including seven boxcars loaded with 700-lb. bombs. One car split open, scattering 24 bombs. Families in the immediate area were evacuated. A state fire marshal said his team was permitted to go near the bombs, but not an eighth derailed boxcar carrying a shipment of wine.
See, it's easy - People have to understand that in the new labor market there are no rules, no lifetime jobs, no security," advises economist Julianne Maleaux. What to do? You have to "have a portfolio of skills."
Return of the (con) artisans? - Anheuser Busch - maker of Budweiser, etc. - and five small breweries, petitioned the feds to require microbrewers to disclose if they contract out production of their product to the industry biggies. They assert that the makers of Samuel Adams regularly do so. They also want the Plank Road Brewery label to say that it's a Miller's product, and likewise with Blue Moon and Coors.
The sane society - New York is probably the homeless capital of the United States. Reportedly, it's also where the latest status symbol of the ultrarich is to spend millions for a home, pour more millions into renovating and decorating, and then not move in. The coolest case, we thought, was the couple that bought a mansion, stocked it with old masters, and then settled into a nearby hotel with a better view.
Everything's up-to-date in Cyber City - Each new computer software program assertedly makes life simpler. ("Just click on the button"). Meanwhile, it's estimated that there will be more than 200 million calls to consumer support phone lines this year. The solution? Another software program - one that will assertedly diagnose and resolve "most" of the common problems.
Inside dope? - It's only a comic strip, but we think Dilbert's boss was on to something when he suggested that the support hotline for the company's new software program have an unlisted number.