Globalization's Sins
Big ecclesiastical news for sinners out there: Hell is now accepting polluters, genetic scientists and the obscenely rich, "due to the phenomenon of globalization."

The original seven deadly sins — pride, gluttony, melancholy (dropped in the 17th century for sloth), lust, greed, envy and anger — are apparently no longer good enough (bad enough?). A senior member of the Vatican is upgrading a handful of lesser celestial impediments into what now will effectively destroy the good grace within a sinner's heart.

Gianfranco Girotti, the No. 2 Catholic official in charge of confessions and penitence, has listed drug trafficking, pollution, social injustice and genetic manipulation as the new bleeding edge of mortal sins, according to an Associated Press report. The monsignor suggested that the realm of biotechnology was especially dangerous.

The new mortal sins: 1) genetic modification; 2) carrying out experiments on humans; 3) polluting the environment; 4) causing social injustice; 5) causing poverty; 6) becoming obscenely wealthy; and 7) taking/selling drugs.

These offenses are now categorized as mortal sins, which are far more damning than mere venial sins.

Be sure to check back here next week for obliquitous coverage of corporate ethics.

3.1415926535...
Today is Pi Day, an international "geek" holiday. And it's a special one, too — it's the 20th anniversary of the first Pi Day.

How are you celebrating?

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Includes a word possibly offensive to some, as well as content that is objectionable to most:

Cookie Inactivity Signals Hurting Economy
The United States economy has to be in a recession. Why? Simply put: Girl Scout cookies.

"Girl Scout and Brownie troops say cookie sales are noticeably down this year as their customers struggle to pay for groceries, gasoline and home heating fuel," reports The Associated Press.

This year's total sales won't be known until later this month, but a spokeswoman said she already has seen some indications that sales are down: Fewer people have donated to a program that sends cookies to U.S. military personnel overseas, and fewer girls have qualified for an award that goes to those who sell more than 1,000 boxes, she said.

Mmmm ... Thin Mints, Samoas and Peanut Butter Patties.

Speaking of Patties...

Paddy's Day: By the Numbers
St. Patrick's Day is Monday, but many of the 36 million U.S. residents claiming Irish ancestry will likely take advantage of the weekend for celebration. As such, here are just a few facts regarding the Irish/Irish-American workforce, trade and production:

38: Percentage of employed civilian Irish-Americans aged 16 and older who work in management, professional and related occupations in the U.S. Moreover, 28 percent work in sales and office occupations; 15 percent in service occupations; 10 percent in production, transportation and material moving occupations; and 9 percent in construction, extraction, maintenance and repair occupations. (Source: 2006 American Community Survey)

$22.9 billion: The value of U.S. imports from Ireland for January-September 2007. The U.S. exported $6.6 billion worth of goods to Ireland during the same period. (Source: Foreign Trade Statistics)

42.1 billion and 2.6 billion: U.S. beef and cabbage production, respectively, in pounds, in 2006. Corned beef and cabbage is a traditional St. Patrick's Day dish. Texas produced 6.8 billion pounds worth of beef, while California produced 607 million pounds of cabbage. (Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service)

*Bonus* 1762: The year the world's first St. Patrick's Day parade took place, on March 17 — not in Dublin, Cork or Galway, but in New York City. (Source: The History Channel)

Wishing you a happy and safe St. Patrick's Day weekend — and good fortune with your tab, health, hangover and morning-after humiliation. (Slate offers a compelling eco-guide to responsible drinking.)


Sláinte.