1.    Man creates science, science replaces God, EPA replaces science

The Environmental Protection Agency's top science adviser defended EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson for allowing more ozone pollution than the EPA's advisory panels recommended and for holding meetings with White House officials about pollution risks that are kept secret from Congress and the public.

George Gray, the EPA's assistant administrator for research and development and its science adviser, insisted the EPA's work is transparent even though it holds closed meetings with the White House Office of Management and Budget and other government agencies when it considers the risks from toxic chemicals.

The EPA administrator, Stephen Johnson, declined to testify.

The Union of Concerned Scientists surveyed EPA scientists last year and found that half of respondents said they'd experienced at least one incident of political interference in the past five years.

2.    Air Force drones on without drone

The Air Force was conducting a training in Ocala, Florida Tuesday using the UAV Raven, an unmanned spy drone, when the Raven immediately turned eastward and failed to respond to all commands from the controllers, Ocala police said.

The Raven, which has an approximate wingspan of 5 feet and a range of 6.2 miles, can fly automatically, navigating using GPS technology and programmable routes and target areas, or be remotely flown by the operator when necessary.  

The $25,000 mini-spy plane landed at an unknown location. Air Force officials are seeking help in locating it.

3.    Congressman gives crash coarse of what not to do with your life

Rep. Vito Fossella of New York ran a red light drunk last week, got arrested for it, and admitted later to having an extramarital affair, and a child from that affair.

"My personal failings and imperfections have caused enormous pain to the people I love and I am truly sorry," said Fossella, a Republican from Staten Island who lives with his wife and three children.

As added salt in the wound, Fosella-the only Republican representing New York City-could very well lose his seat to a Democrat.

"He's politically dead. The only thing that hasn't happened is the autopsy report hasn't been written," said Doug Muzzio, a professor of politics at Baruch College in New York.

4.    Not enough people going Postal

Declining mail volume and rising fuel prices led to a $707 million loss for the Postal Service in the quarter that wrapped up March 31, the Associated Press reported yesterday.

The second-quarter loss more than offsets a profitable performance in the first quarter of the fiscal year, resulting in a loss of $35 million on revenue of $39.3 billion for the first half of the year, the post office reported.

The cost of sending a first-class letter will rise a penny to 42 cents on May 12.