Essence of capitalism—Several transportation companies in the United Kingdom decided to scrap the old system of using toilets that flush on to the tracks. A new fleet of passenger cars are equipped with retention tanks. But passengers are confronted by the harrowing experience that all the toilets are “out of order.” Manufacturers failed to provide disposal means.

Dow Chemical, killer corp.—“MIDLAND, Michigan—State health officials warned against eating wild turkey, deer, and squirrel. They say dioxin levels downstream from the city’s Dow Chemical complex are dangerous. Dow is [allegedly] negotiating about the cleanup of dioxin.”—News item.

How generous—“Wilmington, Delaware—Some cancer patients will be eligible for free treatment up to a year [And then?] under a state initiative. Funding for the Delaware Cancer Treatment Program targets patients who don’t have insurance and aren’t eligible for Medicaid.”—News report.

P.S.—Delaware is the home base of DuPont, whose notorious record of pollution has created unknown numbers of cancers.

Big-time petty larceny—Eighty two ranking corporations skipped paying income taxes at least once in the past three years. Each racked up $100 billion plus in profits during the periods they forgot to pay taxes. The thieves’ honor role includes AT&T, Boeing, Prudential, Caterpillar, Disney, and Pfizer, the top dog in the medical blood-sucker racket.

Hot new gadget—The Pentagon is considering a “benign” new weapon for use in Iraq. It looks like a satellite dish and will be mounted on an armored Humvee. It gives a burning sensation that they say stops when turned off. The Red Cross worries that it could blind people, or be used to torture prisoners.

Faithful dogs—The Food and Drug Administration guesstimates that each year some 1,000 teenagers—many suffering depression—commit suicide. The agency has disclosed that some of the widely used anti-depressant pills can promote suicidal tendencies among children and teenagers.

The FDA knew, and suppressed, information on this for at least eight years. Fumed a member of Congress: “There is something rotten in the FDA. No agency charged with public health should have behaved with such indifference.” Not to quibble, but was it indifference or loyalty?

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