Also this issue: A Fight to the Death Despite surprising opposition from the GOP, Governor Rendell says capital punishment is fine by him. -Daryl Gale War Path -Daniel Brook Retention Dimension How can newspapers keep minorities from leaving? -Deborah Bolling Safe Street? The mayor’s anti-drug program has been successful. But is it enough? -Daryl Gale Bad Form? -Mary F. Patel

May 1- 7, 2003

the bell curve

City Paper's weekly gauge of Philly's Quality of Life

State Rep. Cruz proposes banning sale of all expired foods. Mrs. Cruz shrugs and says it serves him right for drinking milk right out of the carton. Plus 1

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor named winner of this year's Liberty Medal. Strangely, it was all she wanted in exchange for putting Bush in office. Plus 1

Philly-based group launches effort to challenge university speech codes. Water buffalo lobby opposes move -- wants continued protection from being compared to Penn students. Plus 3

Councilman Mariano says complaints of sexual assault and harassment against two campaign aides are politically motivated. "Besides, the chicks were coming on to them." Minus 2

Teen leads police on 2.5-mile chase in stolen school bus. Impressed SEPTA recruiters promise he'll have best possible defense. Minus 1

Chinatown bank experiences "run" after reports of missing funds at another branch. Opportunistic First Union reps work the line wearing surgical masks and greeting people with "domo arigato." Minus 3

Frankford Hospital closed for two hours over smallpox scare. Terrorists still laughing at very notion of attacking Frankford. Minus 2

Few Penn students carry on short-lived tradition of yelling at President Judith Rodin to expose her breasts. "Dude, are you nuts? What if she actually did it?" Minus 1

Seven people shot, one fatally, in one day. Remaining six carpool to hospital in Allen Iverson's Bentley. Minus 5

Phillies' Kevin Millwood pitches a no-hitter. How soon till we trade him? Plus 5

Total pluses: 10

Total minuses: 14

Score for the week: -4

Last week’s score: 5