Essence of capitalism—The record rains that drenched California took a toll in lives and countless hillside homes were damaged or destroyed by massive mudslides. Nearly 2,000 insurance claims were filed, but few will collect. The fine print specifies that the coverage is for water, not mud.

Sensible—A federal judge in Atlanta instructed a suburban school board to remove the stickers they pasted into high school biology textbooks. The stickers asserted that evolution is “a theory, not a fact.” The judge correctly read this as an unconstitutional religious argument. A lawyer for the parents who sued welcomed the ruling as enabling students to study science “unadulterated by religious dogma.”

Barely a mention—The Navajo Nation reservation in Arizona was hard hit by winter storms. Joe Shirley, president of the Nation, met with the governor to discuss damaged areas of the reservation. One person died of exposure, Shirley reported. Supplies are running low. People are running out of coal and firewood. The storm soaked dirt roads, creating ruts nearly a foot deep, and some children are unable to get to school.

Meanwhile…—The Rocky Mountain News reports that 110,000 households in Colorado are facing their heat and lights being cut off this winter because of continuing soaring utility rates. Energy Outreach Colorado, an assistance group, adds that the situation was so bad recently that many low income groups and seniors came into this winter with bills up to $500 from last year.

‘No child left behind?’—In Vermont, an evacuation test has been set for schools in the area of the Yankee nuclear power plant. A “flawed” drill was held at the end of last year. Nearly 1,000 students could not be evacuated because of an acute shortage of school busses. Officials said there was a breakdown of communications.

Praise the lord and fill the tank—In Tampa, Florida, Revival Ministers International led a seven-day Camp meeting. In addition to pie-in-the-sky, participants had a shot at a grand door prize—a $50,000 Hummer. But we see a problem. The winner may have to bulldoze (Hummerdoze?) the house next door to provide an adequate driveway. The prize Hummer is said to be 10 by 16 feet. Maybe it’s really a stripped-down Humvee back from Iraq.  
 
 
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