This mistake always leaves me shaken up.

No! No! No!

In an article about the recent Mt. Carmel, IL, earthquake, CNN wrote, "The epicenter of the earthquake -- the strongest in the region in 40 years -- was about seven miles below ground and 38 miles north-northwest of Evansville, Indiana, the USGS said."

That was wrong. CNN was wrong, period. The epicenter was probably 38 miles north-northwest of Evansville, but it was not seven miles below the ground. The focus likely was seven miles below ground. However, the epicenter is ALWAYS on the SURFACE of the earth. Without exception. Ever. That's what "epicenter" means.

FAA--Fouling American Aviation

American Airlines, at the order of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has canceled thousands of flights this week, inconveniencing many thousands of passengers and costing the company tens of millions of dollars.

So, what exactly was wrong with the MD-80s. One would think that the engines were about to blow up or the wings fall off or something equally dramatic. One would be wrong. The twist ties holding bundles of wires together are a quarter of an inch too far apart.

How much do you want to bet that if McCain and Bush are still buddy-buddy in October, that the FAA won't be enforcing rules this disruptively right before the election?