ITEM As a strike by Boeing's Machinists' Union entered its third week, one of the national most influential female labor leaders came to Seattle to tell strikers that their battle is one against a "corporate America" for a better life for working families. The visit by Anna Burger of Change to Win, a new coalition of unions that have broken away from the AFL-CIO, underscores what may be shaping up to be a climactic labor battle between Boeing and its workers.
   COMMENT If there hadn't been the breakaway from the AFL-CIO, I don't think the Machinists would have struck. This is their way of trying to reestablish themselves as a power to be reckoned with, after their arrogant attitude led to the departure of Boeing headquarters to Chicago. If they want a better life for working families, it's high time they remembered that to be an employee, you have to have an employer.
   ITEM U.S. House Republicans are looking for items to cut in the pork-laden transportation budget to help pay the bill for restoring New Orleans and environs.
   COMMENT As far as I'm concerned, they can have the $28 million earmarked for building an 850-foot tunnel under downtown Bremerton to remove ferry traffic from city streets. It might make sense if we had hourly trips like the old days but we don't, and the only people gung ho for the tunnel are Congressman Norm Dicks and other free spending public officials.
   ITEM Opponents of Initiative 912, which would repeal the 9.5 cents a gallon gasoline tax the 2005 Legislature passed, are getting desperate as polls show support for the repeal is growing. The antis are demanding to know where is the outcry from government officials about the need.
   COMMENT Working for the government at nearly all levels, elective and appointive, has become so profitable with high salaries and perks, that few "ins" dare to anger their constituents for fear of becoming "outs." While I think this is only the beginning in tax increases to complete Seattle's two big projects, I will vote no on I-912 because it tosses too big a monkey wrench into the state transportation budget.
   ITEM U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton of the infamous 9th circuit ruled reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools is unconstitutional because the reference to one nation "under God" violates school children's right to be free from a coercive requirement to affirm God. Washington is studying what to do while an appeal wends its way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
   COMMENT Not to worry. The ruling only applies to three school districts in Sacramento unless affirmed by the circuit, which is the most over-ruled (by the Supremes) of any in the United States.
   ITEM More than half of American teens age 15 to 19 have engaged in oral sex, increasing to nearly 79 percent for those who are 18 and 19, according to the largest federal study of the nation's sexual practices.
   COMMENT Ex-President Clinton need worry no longer about what his legacy will be.
   ITEM Washington's surging economy, super charged by the construction and real estate boom, has produced another $493 million bonanza, pushing the reserve fund over the $1 billion mark. State officials say the first call on the new money should be pension funding and preserving a healthy reserve account.
   COMMENT Should be is one thing, will be is another. Try and remember that next January when the first call on the money will come from state employees and teachers and Gov. Gregoire, who like her predecessor, Gary Locke, pledged fealty to labor, gives it to them.
   ITEM John Roberts is expected to be confirmed as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court despite falling away of votes from a number of prominent Democratic senators.
   COMMENT I'm still waiting for someone to show me where it says in the Constitution that the Democrats get to pick the judges, which appears to be their attttude.

(Adele Ferguson can be reached at P.O. Box 69, Hansville, Wa., 98340.).