EXCESS BLOGGAGE VOLUME XXXVIIIIIII

Again, we reiterate the basic tenets of this concept: (1) Each of these items are are, if not airtightly (almost a word!) verifiable , at least so help me God from eminently legitimate mainstream sources (major dailies, pollsters, newsmagazines, out of my ass), and (2) strictly for personal amusement and not intended to serve for either sexual gratification or political demagoguery. Okay, some political demogoguery.

CHINA'S GROWTH CURVE
Embry Group, Triumph, Ordifen and every other company producing bras in China report that after years of primarily producing A- and B-cup bras, they are now having to turn out increasing numbers of C-, D- and even E-cups, thus adding a new dimension to the term Developing Country.

CAUSE FOR FAITH
According to a CBS News survey, only 31 percent of Americans have a favorable view of Christian fundamentalism. Only 19 percent have a favorable view of Islam. Only 8 percent have a favorable view of Scientology.

DOUBLE JEOPARDY
One in every 400 students who apply for federal financial aid for college are turned down because of a drug conviction; 189,065 since the restriction was instituted for the 2000-2001 school year.

HAPPY IN THEIR WORK
Because such medications are covered under its contract with the UAW, General Motors spends $17 million per year on Viagra, Cialis and other erectile dysfunction drugs for its employees, retirees, and dependents. " Hard up for a job" keeps popping...er...appearing in my mind.

FOLLOW THE MONEY
The amount Dick Cheney was paid last year as Vice President: $205,031. The amount he was paid by Halliburton: $211,465.

FOOLS AND MONEY DEPT.
The amount of Homeland Security funds spent on safety-educational clowns and puppet shows by the Onalaska, Wisconsin fire department: $8,000. By the Des Moines, Iowa fire department: $69,000.

LAWBREAKERS
Three-fourths of all day laborers in the US are illegal immigrants. 43 percent of those who hire them are contractors. 49 percent of those who hire them are individual homeowners.

BRA VO
In April, the women of Cyprus linked together a 70-mile-long chain of almost 115,000 bras, easily busting the old bra-chain record of 79,000 held by the women of Singapore. You open with bras, you close with bras. Thus the great circle of life.