The New York Times reviews the end-of-term possibilities at the U.S. Supreme Court in an article today - “10 Decisions remain this term”:
“If the recent past is any guide, the justices are planning no more than two more decision days: Monday and Thursday next week. That presents the distinct possibility that landmark rulings on affirmative action, gay rights and commercial speech could all be handed down on a single morning.
…
The superheated atmosphere was captured today by an announcement from the media relations office at the University of Michigan that if the decisions in the Michigan affirmative action cases come down on Monday, the university’s president, Mary Sue Coleman, will be on the court’s plaza beginning at 10:30 in the morning to discuss them.

The only problem is that with opinions being announced from the bench at 10 o’clock, in a process that often takes 15 minutes or more, there is almost no chance that either President Coleman or any of her questioners would have had the opportunity to read and absorb them. But she will undoubtedly have an eager audience of television news reporters grateful for a live picture.”

University officials are hoping a flu vaccine sprayed in the nose developed by U-M researchers may mean up to $100 million in revenue for the University.
>NYTimes: “F.D.A. Backs flu vaccine given by mist, not a needle”
>AANEWS: “Windfall coming for U-M FluMist?”
>U-M PR: FDA approves nasal spray flu vaccine invented at U-M”

Another victim of the budget cuts has been announced: the University Unions Major Events Office. See AANews: “U-M drops major concerts office after 28 years”

Abercrombie and Fitch has been sued for racial discrimination in their hiring practices:
“According to the lawsuit, which is seeking class certification, the company has a policy that requires all sales people to exhibit an all-white “A&F look.” Posters and a television program in stores display models who are mostly white, as does the company’s catalogue, the lawsuit alleges. The company also encourages recruitment from overwhelmingly white fraternities and sororities, it says.

Abercrombie refuses to hire qualified minority applicants to work on the sales floor, the suit alleges. When it does hire minorities, it channels them to stock room and overnight shifts and reduces their hours, it says.”

AP: “Clothing retailer accused of discriminating against minorities”
NYTimes: “Clothing chain accused of discrimination”

I’ve just posted a copy of the City of Ann Arbor’s Noise Ordinance.

According to Dave Enders’ blog, he will appear on NPR’s Marketplace today. In Ann Arbor, Marketplace can be heard at 6:30 at 97.1FM or online here.

Another top-ranking member of the Bush White House has left in disgust - this time to work for John Kerry. The first to quit was former head of the President’s Office of Faith-Based Initiatives John DiLulio, who told Esquire that in the Bush administration: ” in domestic policy, there has been almost no meaningful consideration of any real issues.” Here’s what former intelligence official Rand Beers is saying:
“The administration wasn’t matching its deeds to its words in the war on terrorism. They’re making us less secure, not more secure,” said Rand Beers, who until now has remained largely silent about leaving his National Security Council job as special assistant to the president for combating terrorism. “As an insider, I saw the things that weren’t being done. And the longer I sat and watched, the more concerned I became, until I got up and walked out.”
…
“Counterterrorism is like a team sport. The game is deadly. There has to be offense and defense,” Beers said. “The Bush administration is primarily offense, and not into teamwork.”
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Nevertheless, Beers will say that the administration is “underestimating the enemy.” It has failed to address the root causes of terror, he said. “The difficult, long-term issues both at home and abroad have been avoided, neglected or shortchanged and generally underfunded.”

>Wash.Post: “Former aid takes aim at war on terror”