Depressing national news

Yes, there are many things going on in the Pasadena-area right now to discuss, but I can't help but weigh in on two juxtaposed stories in the New York Times and Washington Post this morning.

Compare the lead with this story about electrical disasters causing soldiers and civilian contractors in Iraq their lives:

Shoddy electrical work by private contractors on United States military bases in Iraq is widespread and dangerous, causing more deaths and injuries from fires and shocks than the Pentagon has acknowledged, according to internal Army documents.

With the lead from a story on the use of terrorism funds by the Air Force:

The Air Force's top leadership sought for three years to spend counterterrorism funds on "comfort capsules" to be installed on military planes that ferry senior officers and civilian leaders around the world, with at least four top generals involved in design details such as the color of the capsules' carpet and leather chairs, according to internal e-mails and budget documents.

No wonder people ignore the national news. It is much easier to plug your ears and not pay attention then stomach these kinds of basic leadership failures.