The Bell Curve

City Paper's Quality-o-Life-o-Meter

A scientist who studied at Penn receives the Nobel Prize. A scientist who studied at Drexel pinpoints the precise amount of time needed to prepare a bag of CVS-brand microwave popcorn. Plus 4

Michael Nutter announces the members of the new ethics task force. "It's me. Just me. I'm all the fuck alone here. The rest of these people are like fucking coyotes." Plus 2

Nutter says the relationship between councilmember W. Wilson Goode Jr. and his legislative aide, Latrice Bryant, has nothing to do with him. "I mean, did I bang Latrice Bryant? Yes," says Nutter. "And did I bang Wilson Goode? Again, yes. But in both instances I was high on mescaline. I wish them both the very best." Minus 1

Bruce Springsteen plays a free show on the Parkway to drum up support for Barack Obama. Hardscrabble blue-collar workaday types torn by their love for the Boss and their hardscrabble blue-collar workaday racism. Plus 6

Waterfront-casino opponents slam Michael Nutter for not disclosing two meetings he had with representatives from SugarHouse. "Look," he says. "We went to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua twice and I was embarrassed." Minus 2

Meghan McCain tours the Art Museum during a visit to Philly to promote her father's candidacy for president. "How can I compete with that?" says Obama, plucking a guitar on the Springsteen tour bus. Even

According to the Philadelphia County Board of Elections, there is an increase of 44,000 newly registered Democrats and a decrease of 300 registered Republicans. "We died," explain 300 ghosts. "We were so old." Plus 5

Total Pluses: 17

Total Minuses: 3

Total for the Week: 14

Last Week's Total: -2