SOUTH

JUDGE ORDERS REMOVAL OF TEXTBOOK EVOLUTION STICKERS

ATLANTA – A federal judge yesterday ordered a suburban Atlanta school system to remove stickers from its high school biology textbooks that call evolution “a theory, not a fact,” saying the disclaimers are an unconstitutional endorsement of religion.

“By denigrating evolution, the school board appears to be endorsing the well-known prevailing alternative theory, creationism, or variations thereof, even though the sticker does not specifically reference any alternative theories,” U.S. District Judge Clarence Cooper said. The stickers were put inside the books’ front covers by public school officials in Cobb County in 2002.They read: “This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered.”

– Associated Press

WASHINGTON

FDR’S GRANDSON DERIDES SOCIAL SECURITY AD USING PRESIDENT’S IMAGE

The grandson of Franklin Delano Roosevelt yesterday protested use of FDR’s image in a television ad touting President Bush’s plan to partially privatize Social Security. “My grandfather would surely oppose the ideas now being promoted by this administration and your organization,” James Roosevelt Jr. wrote in a letter to Progress for America, a private group that supports conservative issues.

Mr. Roosevelt, who served as the Social Security Administration’s associate commissioner for retirement policy in the Clinton administration, said, “On behalf of my family, I would ask that you cease using my grandfather’s image in your advertising campaign.” Progress for America, in a statement, said it appreciated the feedback from Roosevelt but “will continue to air the ad in its entirety. …Strengthening Social Security continues FDR’s legacy and giving younger workers the option of a voluntary personal retirement account is an important part of this effort.”

The ad, running on Fox News and CNN through January 19, shows FDR signing the legislation creating the Social Security system and refers to the courage needed both to create the system and to protect it.

– Associated Press

FBI COMPUTER OVERHAUL HITS ANOTHER SNAG

A $170 million computer overhaul intended to give FBI agents and analysts an instantaneous and paperless way to manage criminal and terrorism cases is headed back to the drawing board, probably at a much steeper cost to taxpayers. The FBI is hoping to salvage some parts of the project, known as Virtual Case File. But officials acknowledged yesterday that it is possible the entire system, designed by Science Applications International Corp. of San Diego, is so inadequate and outdated that one will have to be built from scratch.

After the attacks of September 11, 2001, FBI Director Robert Mueller made improvement of the agency’s computer systems a priority. Members of Congress and the independent September 11 commission said the overhaul is critical to enabling the FBI and intelligence agencies such as the CIA to “connect the dots” in preventing attacks.

“I am frustrated by the delays,” Mr. Mueller said yesterday in Birmingham, Ala. “I am frustrated that we do not have on every agent’s desk the capability of a modern case-management system.” The FBI did not get what was envisioned, said a senior FBI official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity because the project is the subject of an internal review by the Justice Department’s inspector general. The official said its capabilities were only a fraction of what was sought.

– Associated Press

WEST

AUTHORITIES END SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS IN MUDSLIDE DISASTER ZONE

LA CONCHITA, Calif. – Authorities ended the search yesterday for victims of the deadly mudslide and warned residents not to return to the town because of the danger of another collapse.

The death toll stood at 10 in the beach community devastated by Monday’s torrent of dirt and trees, and everyone on the list of missing people had been located. Thirteen homes were destroyed and 18 others were damaged.

“The La Conchita community is a geologically hazardous area,” Sheriff Bob Brooks said. “It has been historically, it is today, and it will remain so. We do not recommend that people return to this area or the people who stay here remain here.”

The entire town of about 260 people was evacuated Monday.

Sheriff Brooks conceded that officials do not have the authority to prevent people from going back if their homes have been determined to be sound. Authorities planned to meet with residents Friday to discuss a specific plan for their return.

– Associated Press