»In which we suffer embarassmint

Another item on the list of things the United States Treasury could do better: dollar coins. The new coin, first in a series, features George Washington, our nation's first President; subsequent coins will feature the succeeding Presidents (including the ephemeral William Henry Harrison! the dictatorial Roosevelt! the disgraced Nixon!). The old, golden coin had a much-lambasted three-quarters (hah!) profile of Sacagawea.

Now, don't get me started on the Treasury and the problems with United States paper currency ...! The National Academies Press has a list of features that address currency accessibility issues. I am glad that Aram reminded me of the new coin this morning. (Did you know that he met a guy who had a spiritual vision?) And if you find yourself hankering for a golden dollar coin, head to that refuge of the disenfranchised and helpless: MUNI. MUNI dispenses dollar coins from machines in some of its subway stations, because it has neither the facilities nor the wherewithal to accept paper or electronic payment.