Miscellany

UNTESTING, TESTING. In 1986, as a result of a lawsuit filed mostly by black parents, California banned the use of I.Q. tests to measure learning disabilities in black students on the grounds that they tended to be racially discriminatory. The upshot would have seemed quirky even in South Africa: the tests were permitted for all kids except blacks. One mother of a mixed-race son was told that he could not be tested because he was registered as a black; she was advised to reregister him as Hispanic. Now a suit to restore the tests has been filed by another set of parents of black students, who argue that barring their children from the test is racially discriminatory.

STAGE FRIGHT. The immigration law set to go into effect in October contains a minor provision causing major artistic anxiety: it limits to 25,000 a year the number of actors, musicians, models and athletes who can enter the U.S. to perform under temporary visas. Other oddities: applicants must be "internationally recognized" or "culturally unique" (whatever that means) and must have been with their group at least a year. The bill was pushed by organized labor to protect American jobs, but the tight limit (applied first come, first served) could instead assault American culture.

FRUIT LOOPY. Kids, Uncle Sam wants you to eat more fruit with your cereal! But if you're poor, you can't get them in the same box. The $2.4 billion federal ( program that feeds 5 million needy children will not pay for cereal with more than six grams of sugar per serving. Kellogg protests that this excludes its Raisin Bran, because the sugar naturally contained in its raisins pushes it over the limit. So the kids eat mainly Cheerios and have to get their fruit separately.

ZACHARY TAYLOR BEWARE. When Ronald and Nancy Reagan decided they wanted to be buried on the grounds of his presidential library near Ventura, Calif., environmentalists objected that it would cause pollution. No, not of the toxic waste variety; the fuming was not that personal. It was alleged that additional tourists would cause the pollution. Local officials disagreed and approved the Reagans' request. The sites-in-waiting will be ready by the time the library is dedicated in November.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK:

"They're never going to believe this one." -- James ("Whitey") Bulger, a well-known reputed Boston mobster, upon winning part of a $14 million Massachusetts lottery jackpot.

"The only person that probably would have caused more trouble is if my mother had won." -- state treasurer Joseph Malone, upon hearing the results.