Bits & Pieces
Bits and pieces from this reporter’s notebook.
Da-deet-da-deet...Interpol has posted the names and photos of 11 people whom they don’t believe were involved in the assassination of a Hamas leader buying arms in Dubai. Dubai’s chief of security says he’s 99% sure that it was the Israeli secret service Mossad, and that they stole the names and passport information of those Interpol has posted. Interpol’s idea is to stop the alleged killers from getting around too easily, but they’ll be making it hell for the folks whose IDs were stolen.
Da-deet-da-deet...In case you think our health care system is the best in the world, consider these stats. We rank first in spending, but 39th in infant mortality, 43rd in adult female mortality and 42nd in adult male mortality.
Da-deet-da-deet...We all know that the Black-Robed Nine don’t make decisions on the basis of justice or public popularity. The decision that corporations and unions could spend as much as they want on elections generated 80% negatives in a recent poll. And Reps were almost as unhappy as Dems and Indys. (The court vote was five-four against the American public.)
Da-deet-da-deet...The Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority has spent more than twice on lawyers than what they could possibly expect to get in a suit against a subway manufacturer. And they have taken 15 years doing it.
Da-deet-da-deet...The federal transportation safety yahoos are going to start random swabbing the hands and baggage of airport travelers to see if they have traces of explosives. No, this isn’t an effort to induce better hygiene, but it makes as much sense.
Da-deet-da-deet...And finally, the people who operate the Golden Gate Bridge want the feds to change their policy and make suicide barriers eligible for federal funding. This would help them raise the $50 million they want to spend putting a net below the iconic span.
©2010 SetonnoteS
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