For decades, women had to travel to mainland Puerto Rico to give birth. The new maternity service coincided with the surrender decision of the Pentagon to give up use of the island as a bomb-test range. For years, the people of Vieques had fought tenaciously to get them out.

Twisted history—Navigator, an AARP travel guide, offers tips on where, “the U.S. is feted, not hated.” As a prime choice, it plugs the island of Grenada. It cites that Grenada celebrates Thanksgiving “to mark the American overthrow of the socialist government in 1983.” This is twisted history.

A short-hand account: In 1979, a movement of workers and farmers led by Maurice Bishop toppled a hated government backed by Washington. With Bishop as prime minister. Grenada moved in a socialist direction. In 1983, counter-revolutionaries turned guns on the people and murdered Bishop. A week later, U.S. forces stormed the island and reinstalled a puppet regime. For a first-rate article by Steve Clark, check out Pathfinder’s New International no. 6.

Sounds like capitalism—“The fascination with customized cell phone ring tones is in the midst of a severe—and possibly offensive—evolution. Shotgun blasts. Rapid gunfire. Horrific screams. Bodily functions. Even sexual moans and groans.”—News item

Like the wage system—The Georgia state prison system is reducing the average number of calories allotted to women inmates. It will be a 20 percent calorie reduction and, it’s said, meets the standards set by nutritionists. Male prisoners will continue to get the same amount as before. Both women and men, we assume, will continue to get the same culinary slop.

How about a slave galley?—According to Scotland Yard, so many arrests are being made in London that they have an acute shortage of prison cell space. To ease the crunch, the Yard is considering buying a ship moored in the Thames river. They say it can hold 400 prisoners. Earlier, the chief prisons inspector attacked conditions on board the ship.  
 
 
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