Asbestos abatement has cost an estimated $50 billion and counting, all to remove a threat that doesn't exist.
The local TV newscast was unbearable to watch for anyone with half a mind. The clip showed some elementary school pupils - third graders as best I recall - picking up trash on a beach at the behest of their teacher. She had taken the children on a consciousness-raising field trip to indoctrinate them in the evils of pollution and their duty as good citizens to clean up the environment.
If you're a stodgy traditionalist like me, you may vaguely recall third grade as a time for indoctrination in the three R's - which disturbing numbers of today's youngsters are out of touch with - but that just goes to show how twisted the priorities of our bygone era were.