Yo boss, how about 50 till Friday?--"With pay raises and bonuses difficult to justify and stock options mostly worthless, corporate boards are finding new ways to reward executives. Increasingly, companies are forgiving payments on balances on loans made to help executives buy homes, buy company stocks or even pay taxes."--USA Today.

Taking does get addictive--"The American Red Cross knowingly collected hundreds of thousands of blood donations after September 11 that could not be used. "After selling some of the surplus to hospitals, the Red Cross has begun to destroy thousands of pints that have outlasted their shelf life."--News item.

Better yet, tighten your dray belt--The Bulletin of the American Association of Retired People did a lengthy article on the rocky state of the economy with the admonition to "tighten your belt." Flip to the centerspread for an exclusive offer to AARP members--$500 cash back on any Buick sedan.

Hey teach, how many ways to make a 7?--The public school system in Clark County, Nevada, has a tightly enforced zero-tolerance system. The county is comprised mainly of Las Vegas ("Lost Wages" to some). Last year 7,500 students were suspended or expelled for violating zero tolerance.

Is that a promise?--In Fresno, California, the police department is missing $2.4 million. The chief assures it's merely an accounting error. He said this would not curb street patrols but could cut back special operations, such as the violent crimes squad.

Welcome, brothers and sisters--The "Labour" government in the United Kingdom will require the thousand seeking political asylum to carry government ID cards. Distribution of needed food and clothing vouchers will be halted and a refugee camp will be opened.

Did they overlook anyone?-- "The Home Office has secretly created a prototype national identity card in preparation for the introduction of ID cards for all Britons."--The Times, London

No problem--This week's lead item was sent--indirectly--by a new reader who didn't have our address. For him and other prospective contributors, send clippings to: Great Society c/o Pathfinder Books, 4229 S. Central Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90011.  
 
 
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