today’s news and information gleanings from here and there! Today’s Weather!   Today in History!

Quote for today … “Upon this point all speculative politicians will agree, that the happiness of society is the end of government, as all divines and moral philosophers will agree that the happiness of the individual is the end of man. From this principle it will follow that the form of government which communicates ease, comfort, security, or, in one word, happiness, to the greatest numbers of persons, and in the greatest degree, is the best.”                          John Adams, 1776

• More May special events: National Nurses Week (May 5 to 12) – National Hospital Week (May 8 to 14)
• from Fox43 Website: Paying it forward in Columbia and an article about the financial challenges at the School District of Lancaster.
• from yesterday’s Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era: “(School District of Lancaster) SDL board to discuss budget cuts at (today) Wednesday meeting – District could eliminate several positions, programs in cost-cutting move.”
• from Al Jazeera: During the search for information about bin Laden’s death, we happened across this opinion piece about “America’s zombie consumers.”  
• from the York Daily Record: “Pet chews made of pig ears with salmonella risk recalled” 
• from the York Dispatch: “Dallastown district, union spar over teacher wage freeze“
• from yesterday’s York Dispatch: Wonder whether the company will pay taxes on this: “Exxon reports $11 billion in first quarter earnings as prices rise at the pump.” Certainly will give them fuel for their political lobbying expenses and “campaign contributions.”
• from yesterday’s Harrisburg Patriot News: “Hundreds swarm Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry calling for businesses to pay ‘fair share’ in taxes.” Duh, you think it may be time?
• Lacking transparency, stuff happens, John Adams hit it on the head when he said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”!: “5 indicted amid Mass. EMT fraud charges“
• … and can we expect more of this – no money, tough! (from the New York Times): “Putting Your Doctor, or a Whole Team of Them, on Retainer” 
• from the Borough of Columbia Website. NOTE: Columbia has the 2011 Budget posted here.
• from www.lancasteronline.com: When the folks who are supposed to help you get a job lose their jobs – “LETA will close after June 30; leaving 36 workers jobless” and “New project aims to bring local produce to city schools’ parking lots”