This is the place to go for really, really bad news. If I didn’t make your

flesh creep with global warming, try this: the rumor

mill in South Africa says that when Mandela dies (he’s 85) there will be a

general massacre of whites.

Mandela seems to be

aware of the rumors. South African whites are aware of them too, and all

sorts of preparations are being made. Is there such a thing as a

self-fulfilling rumor?