No column today or Friday. I'm helping out editing this week... Here is today's economic indicator. As expected, a rainy rush hour jammed up the interstate north of town. According to traffic reports there were big backups on 95 coming down to the Baltimore beltway from White Marsh and the north. The rain should have turned Route 100 in Howard County, normally stop-and-go during morning rush, into an even slower proposition. But 100 was free and clear.

The difference, of course, is Veterans Day. Shows you how dependent the southwest Baltimore suburbs are on the government. I've seen 100 more crowded on Sunday mornings.