Century marks

Christian Century, April 5, 2003

TRAVEL ADVISORY: Delta Airlines is testing homeland security software in three undisclosed airports to do background checks on passengers' criminal, banking and credit records. The background checks result in a green, yellow or red rating. Those with a red rating will not be permitted to fly. The Bush administration is considering use of this screening software throughout the country by the end of 2003 (utne.com, March 17).

THE `VIRTUES' OF VICE: Socially responsible mutual funds stay away from companies whose products, practices and policies are offensive to their investors. The offenses may be gambling or weapons production, unfair labor practices or environmental pollution. Now there is VICE Fund, which specializes in tobacco, spirits, guns and gambling stocks. According to its prospectus, "It is our philosophy that although often considered politically incorrect, these and similar industries and products ... will continue to experience significant capital appreciation during good and bad markets. We consider these industries to be nearly `recession-proof.'" The managers quote Abraham Lincoln, who said: "It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues" (VICE.com).