The march of capitalist civilization--Ann Marie Degree, 38, suffers brain damage and has spent half her life in mental institutions. Now she faces jail. The Riverside County, California, prosecutor is charging her with stealing some candy and a soda from a hospital gift shop. Reportedly, a nurse spotted the loot, and sheriff's deputies who serve as hospital security guards were called in. Degree allegedly tried to grab one of the cop's guns from its holster. Felony charges have been filed.

The Golden Years--Vile conditions in nursing homes for the elderly have sparked so many damage suits that major insurance companies are now refusing to cover them. In Florida, a major carrier has cancelled the policies of at least 39 homes.

...to continue--United Kingdom officials said they're probing nursing homes for mentally ill seniors, owned by Alchemy, a venture capitalist group. This is the outfit taking over the Rover from BMW, for which it has been described as the White Knight. A staff worker at one nursing home said: "Infection control is nonexistent. The whole place is dirty. The food is appalling, and unsuitable for special diets. Morale has collapsed and the place is falling apart rapidly."

C'mon doc, give a guess--Researchers report that New York heart patients in need of bypass surgery who have "managed care" insurance rather than other kinds of coverage, are assigned to hospitals with known higher death rates. A perplexed researcher asked: "Why are the companies choosing the hospitals that are the worse?" Perish the thought, but could it be they're a tad cheaper?

Sucking blood is hard work--Bank of America shareholders are having conniptions because Hugh McColl, the bank's top dog, drew $3.75 million in wages and bonuses last year even as the bank chain's profits declined. It was also noted, in passing, that 19,000 BoA employees were fired last year. (Economy?).

Obviously they're motivated--The New York state comptroller estimates the current backlog of civil rights complaints--jobs, housing, public accommodations, etc.--will take six years to clear up--provided no new ones are filed.

First it was elevator music--500 major office buildings will feature 10-inch computer screens in their elevators. Stock market reports, news, weather, etc. Take the express to the 30th floor and get an in-depth report on cyberspace stocks..

Taking care of business--The Supreme Court threw out an award won by the widow of a man killed at a Norfolk Southern Railroad grade level crossing. Most of these crossings are financed by the federal government. Therefore, the top court ruled, the railroads are not responsible for what's installed. Two judges dissented, declaring the ruling "defies common sense." Which is true, if you don't own a railroad.  
 
 
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