right ear, The

DRUG SUB: Colombia drug control agents discovered a partially constructed 100-foot submarine in a hidden mountain facility September 8 with the capacity, when completed, of hauling 11 tons of drugs. Russian engineers, thought to be with the allpowerful Russian Mafia, are suspected of involvement because Russian manuals were found with the sub. The Russian Foreign Ministry says it has no knowledge of Russian citizens' involvement. Americans might also be involved, said investigators.

SELF-DEFEATING: Reform-minded parents and activists came up with the charter school concept in order to free some of the public schools from the regulation and bureaucracy that are weighing them down. A major part of that deadweight is the teachers unions. The unions, once dead-set against charter schools, have learned they can't beat 'em, so they're joining 'em. In Florida, the United Teachers of Dade has joined forces with the for-profit Edison Schools to run 10 charter schools in the Miami area "I imagine that the reaction from our union brethren will be anything from applause for our innovation to apprehension," union Executive Vice President Pat Tornillo told the Miami Herald. There is no question charter schools are part of the educational landscape. Both presidential candidates are talking about extending federal funds for the construction and maybe even the operation of charter schools." But then, in words ominous for those who champion charter schools as a way to avoid the fatal influence of the nation's teachers unions on children's education, Tornillo said, "We want to be part of it."

HELPING HILLARY? Howard Husock of the Cato Institute has reported that Section 8 housing subsides send the wrong message to the American public, because they indicate that the way to move up in America is based on need rather than achievement. "Subsidized housing has proven difficult to maintain and has created perverse incentives that undermine the formation of healthy neighborhoods," Husock says. Despite overwhelming evidence that Section 8 does more harm than good, Secretary of Housing Andrew Cuomo has announced an additional annual increase in funds for Section 8 housing vouchers. Cuomo says that this will greatly increase by 1.4 million the pool of apartments available to Section 8 recipients. How many of those will be located in Senate candidate Hillary's adopted state of New York, where Cuomo himself is considering a run for governor?

CHINA'S MUSCLE: Just before the

Senate voted overwhelmingly to grant China Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status last week (see rollcall, page 27), a congressional report revealed that "the PLA's modernization and joint war fighting capabilities are developing at a rate far ahead of the Pentagon's prediction." The report's author, Al Santoli, national security aide to Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R.-Calif.), said that recent Chinese military exercises opposite Taiwan demonstrate new, high-technology fighting skills. China is integrating Western technology into its military, including telecommunications equipment obtained from the United States. "Chinese joint warfare capability has increased substantially in the last 24 months," he said.

PRAY OR EAT:. This is the choice recently given to the Union Mission in Memphis, Tenn. The Clinton Administration has ended a federally subsidized food program for one of the largest homeless shelters in Al Gore's home state. According to the Memphis Flyer, the USDA has stopped supplying food to the Union Mission because visitors are required to attend a religious service. The Rev. Mark Calhoun of Union Mission said that prayer has been in their charter since 1945. The government now demands that prayer be optional or no more food. The Rev. Calhoun has sent out a "hungry gram" in order to make up for this unexpected shortfall.

NOMORE TESTING: According to a September 5 Associated Press report, a federal judge has extended a temporary restraining order prohibiting the state of Michigan from requiring welfare recipients to take drug tests.

GIVE AWAY: Last Tuesday Gov. Gray Davis (D.) of California signed legislation described as "the greatest expansion of financial aid to California students since the passage of the G. I. Bill." Under the new CAL Grant legislation, California is now obligated to spend at least $1.2 billion a year to cover college tuition for all low- and middle-income students with at least a C average. At the bill signing ceremony. Davis stated, "This is the most ambitious financial aid program in America and we'll say to all students, we're putting our money where our mouth is." Davis also promised $118 million in California tax revenue for new merit scholarships.

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