The winners and the losers

Winner: The only bad thing about a new device U. of U. researchers developed to keep people from phoning while driving is that it won't be made mandatory by law. The device automatically puts a cell phone in "driving mode" when the user is behind the wheel — something that would prevent a lot of accidents and strange driving behaviors. Of course, a driver already could put the phone in drive mode without this Key2SafeDriving device. But based on a lot of anecdotal experience we've had with clueless cell-phone-talking drivers, this would make a great Christmas gift.

Loser: Bad economies trigger a host of victims, but it would be hard to find any sadder than the household pets people have to give up. As reported in this newspaper this week, the Humane Society of Utah, the Murray animal shelter and others are reporting increases in pet drop-offs by people who are losing their homes. The good news is that adoptions have increased, and food drives are under way to help people stay in their homes and keep their pets. But the sad reality is that many of the pets dropped off will eventually be euthanized.

Loser: What's with the sudden rash of white powder in the mail? First there were reports of envelopes being sent to religious facilities. Now the FBI reports that powder-laden envelopes have been sent to the governors of 16 states, including Utah. So far, the substances appear to be harmless. But the sense of propriety of whoever is sending these packages is not.

Winner: This may be a down-sized Christmas, but the Festival of Trees, held annually to help Primary Children's Medical Center, set an attendance record, organizers said. Although 20 trees went unsold, there were more trees on display this year than in the past, and those leftover trees will go to the medical center to help make the season brighter for sick children.