Will someone, maybe the FBI or the Justice Department, explain why the bureau planted listening devices in the office of Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street (D), a man locked neck-and-neck in a rematch with the politically inexperienced and not-all-that-civic-minded businessman, former school board member (attendance record: abysmal), and Indian gaming honcho Sam Katz (R)? Is this a legitimate investigation into corruption by associates of Street or a politically motivated campaign to discredit the mayor? I’m not sure, but until today I was undecided heading toward next month’s election. Until I learn more, I know who I’m voting for . . . President George W. Bush plans to be bench-pressed by incoming California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Anything for some help in the polls . . . Iraqi Dowager Princess Condoleezza Rice gets all assertive and stuff, sending Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld into an embarrassing hissy fit . . . Former Vermont governor and presidential aspirant Howard Dean keeps up the pressure on the wreckage that goes by the name of “the Bush administration” . . . Heard a great report on Vatican Radio today about the appalling human rights violations occurring in the Congo. But then, you knew about that already, since Jeanne d’Arc of Body & Soul has been all over that story for months . . . By the way, if you think Kathryn Jean Lopez reads like an idiot at National Review Online, you should hear the drivel she spews on Vatican Radio. I don’t know, I thought self-mortification went out of style sometime in the 16th century . . . Anyone seen or heard from Norah Vincent lately? Never heard of her? Thin-skinned, “libertarian pro-life lesbian,” with a really cranky girlfriend, who used to jot down a few rambling thoughts once a week for the Los Angeles Times . . . On the bastard German children of Charles Lindbergh . . . The Navy’s use of powerful sonar systems is apparently killing whales . . . Archie, Jughead, Veronica, Betty, et al., the focus of an anti-drug campaign aimed at today’s teenagers? Tell me this isn’t a joke . . . Walking disaster area and, in some circles, suspected murderess, Courtney Love faces drug charges after allegedly breaking into a Los Angeles home . . . Most priests I’ve known are good people, but I’ll admit some are just nuts.