Tidbits & outrages.

• Position: Brief Article - Column

SCANDAL FOR THE AGES

The Smithsonian Institution recently announced plans to enshrine the Enron ethics manual. Quipped a spokesman: "I guess the Hope Diamond doesn't stand a chance."

NO GAY ONES, THOUGH

The 131st annual meeting of the National Rifle Association is offering free admission to law enforcement, firefighters, military personnel--and Boy Scouts.

TAKING "FUZZY MATH" ONE STEP FURTHER

The Bush administration managed to restore--briefly--the budget surplus. As The Washington Post's Glenn Kessler reported, a missing minus sign in the Bush budget turned this year's projected $106 billion deficit into a surplus.

MAYBE KEN LAY'S AVAILABLE ...

The National Republican Congressional Committee bestowed a "Republican of the Year" award on Mark A. Grethen, a convicted sex offender, whose 26-year prison sentence prevented him from attending the awards luncheon. "We weren't aware of his current...