In the News:

Flurry of Anxiety as Practice Draft Leaks to Public:

The Selective Service fielded a flurry of calls when a report that a "practice draft" leaked to the public this week. Turns out the "practice draft" isn't scheduled to take place until 2009, after a new administration takes office (provided the Bush coup is unsuccessful). Plenty of folks are worried that they or their sons will be called up to fight in one of Bush's wars. (It's okay if he sends somebody else's kids, just not mine.) In the meantime, the military has been having a devil of a time meeting recruitment needs, and the generals want more troops in Iraq.

Democrats Pledge to End Earmarking—Except They Won't, or Can't:

The Democrats pledged to place a moratorium on earmarking—special, some say "pork," inserts into major spending bills. The earmarking process has been tied to considerable scandal of late. But the legislators use earmarking as a means of disciplining members who might actually vote for what they believe is the right or appropriate thing to do without this process of directing taxpayer moneys to elected officials' constituents.

GM about to Lose Lead to Toyota as World's No. 1 Auto Maker:

Back in the Sixties, General Motors wasn't only the world's number one auto maker, it was the world's fourth wealthies entity, trailing only three nations. The forecast for 2007, however, is that GM will become the world's number two auto maker, following Toyota.

By the way, Toyota's largest market is the U. S.