Good Odds for Federal Workforce?

Grapevine: Good Odds for Federal Workforce?

Report of lower percentage of layoffs in public sector than private

And now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine...

You're Not Fired

If you would like job security in an economy with 9.2 percent unemployment look no further than the federal government.

A USA Today analysis found workers in many agencies are more likely to die of natural causes than get laid off or fired.

Just over a half percent of federal workers were fired last year compared with the private sector firing about three percent.

An employee turnover expert says a low dismissal rate indicates -- quote -- "a serious management problem" but a federal agency spokesman says it shows a skilled and committed workforce.

Climate Concerns

The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations urged the Security Council to address climate change as one of its core responsibilities.

The group was debating whether climate change constituted a peace and security issue that must be addressed.

Ambassador Susan Rice called lack of action a dereliction of duty, because -- quote -- "As sea levels rise, small island states may well see their territory quite literally drowned...we have dozens of countries...whose very existence is threatened."

Russia's representative argued against a regular review from the council because it would lead to disagreements among nations.

iFake

And finally, buyer beware in China.

Entire Apple stores advertising the newest products and latest gadgets are being faked. Even some of the employees in the stores fail to realize they are not really working for the actual company.

One blogger who discovered the fake stores said almost everything looked like the real deal but -- quote -- "Some things were just not right: the stairs were poorly made. The walls hadn't been painted properly. Apple never writes 'Apple Store' on its signs."