The glory that was PENICILLIN ?

Penicillin was once the VINNY PAZ of anti-biotics. What a

    difference it made for human life in the 20th century, how

    many wounded soldiers survived World War II because it ? The

    not so accidental discovery of penicillin made the name of

    Alexander Fleming immortal... " as long as this Western culture,

    so dear to us, exists " ( funeral oration of his dear friend,

    Professor Pannett ).

            But now in a new century the first great medical miracle

    is losing its punch.  And our public school science education is

    not what it was  soon after the Sputnik shock.  I suspect that

     not a few despised " inner -city " kids might have both the

    brains - and more important, the MOTIVATION - to attack the

    plagues of mankind with the dedication of an Alexander Fleming.

          " A flower growing in an unexpected way seemed as important

    to him as the most spectacular of phenomena " (  from a biography )

              Perhaps we should recognize some future saviors of

    humanity in a crumbly, dismal ,neglected public school building

    - just ignored, bright kids today - flowers growing in an unexpected

    way.

             Yes, we need affirmative action for NERDS of all races

    and ethnic groups. With a little bit of encouragement, they might

    devote themselves to something more creative than REVENGE .