Read-it-and-retch dep't--WASHINGTON --A bill to compensate thousands of nuclear workers who suffer from radiation-related diseases may fail to pass Congress this year because of disagreements over the $938 million cost."--News item.

Keep calm, no big deal--Pollution from a Kentucky uranium processing plant is proving greater than expected. The highly radioactive material is turning up in the soil and water bordering the plant's property. Pollution is being found in the Ohio River, two miles away. In some areas near the plant, the poisonous levels are as high as 1,600 times "normal."

A gov't of big business? Nonsense--"Warning issued on faulty furnaces--U.S. agency's action comes years after it learned of product defect that has been blamed for scores of fires."

Plus or minus--Last month in the United Kingdom, disciplinary charges, including misconduct and lying, were brought against police superintendent Ray Mallon, who has been suspended for the past three years--with full pay. He's the daddy of England's "zero tolerance" policing.

So is capitalism--The Times of London reports that more than a third of lifesaving National Heath Service medical equipment is "old and dangerous."

$afety first--"The toll from defective Firestone tires mounted on Ford Explorers has largely been measured by the 101 deaths counted so far, but as investigators delve into about 400 injury cases they are finding horrific tragedies that have left some victims paraplegics or quadriplegics."--News item.

Also easier on the tires?--A fresh gimmick for keeping ahead of the Jones--marble driveways. True, it's a bit pricey (maybe $140,000.) But, "It's very status driven," observes one builder of status housing. "Having a nice driveway is just another way to show how successful you are."

He's getting treatment?--Warren Buffet, the stock market high roller (He's "worth" $28 billion) shared an election platform with Senate candidate Hillary Clinton. He confided to the audience that he thinks he's undertaxed. "I'm paying taxes at a lower rate than my secretary--and frankly I think that's crazy."