And another thing …

So what if the King administration was a bit clumsy in the way it handled an outside audit of the state’s Y2K preparedness (you remember — the audit that either didn’t exist, that existed but was too sensitive for the public and lawmakers to see or that was readily available all along). Things have a way of evening out. True, the needless confusion had utilities, banks and other businesses that have worked hard to allay fears and prevent panic pulling their hair. On the other hand, it was a real shot in the arm for the lamp oil and k-ration industries.

It’s World Series time, time for politicians to make those silly local-pride wagers. Here’s the silliest yet: Vehement anti-Clintonite Rep. Dick Armey of Texas has bet First Lady Hillary Clinton of, sort-of, New York that his beloved Rangers will beat her beloved, sort-of, Yankees in the playoffs. If she wins, he sings “New York, New York” on the House floor. If he wins, she sings (for no apparent reason) “Chicago” in a similarly public venue. Let baseball fans root, root, root for the home team. Music lovers are praying for rain.

Poor Harvard. First it loses its perennial top ranking for institutions of higher education, falling to second behind Cal Tech. Then it has to suffer through a visit by Jesse Ventura, the governor who thinks churchgoers are simpletons and who wants to be reincarnated as ladies’ underwear. From win to place to schmo.

The Brooklyn Art Museum has caused quite the little uproar with a exhibit that includes Christopher Ofili’s painting of the Virgin Mary festooned with elephant dung and pictures of buttocks clipped from girlie magazines. While some call it sacrilege, supporters say the outraged fail to understand the artist’s heritage and culture. Mr. Ofili was raised a Catholic, hence the Madonna motif. The elephant scat is a nod to his African ancestry. The porn? That’s just a guy thing.

Linda Williams was fired from her job as a lunchroom cashier at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in the Bronx last March and charged with theft for putting $7 from a customer in her pants pocket. Mrs. Williams told federal police the $7 in her pocket — a five and two singles — was her change from her breakfast. The customer told police he had paid for his breakfast with seven crumpled singles. When the case made it to court the other day, the investigating federal officer testified he inspected Mrs. Williams’ cash drawer at the time and found — guess what? — seven crumpled singles. The judge promptly dismissed the charge and ordered that Mrs. Williams be given her $7 back. She wants her old job back, too, but she may want to look into those upcoming vacancies on the federal police force.

Newt Gingrich (remember him?) accused his estranged wife this week of hoarding tens of thousands of dollars he says should go into an escrow account until their divorce is final. Lawyers for Marianne Gingrich say the former House Speaker is merely trying to bully his wife of 18 years into dropping her inquiries about his alleged extramarital affairs. To him, it’s about a trust fund. To her, it’s about trust.