Thumbs up to a new training program to help young adults break the cycle of poverty by teaching them personal financial skills. The Youth Experiencing Security and Success (YE$$) program of the Career Training Institute is funded by a state demonstration grant.

Thumbs down to a fad we hope doesn't come to Helena. It involves dancing to a hip-hop beat beside and on top of a slowly moving car. It's killed two people already and injured many more.

Thumbs up to a national report praising Montana for high scores on math and reading tests and a statewide 75.8 percent graduation rate. Unfortunately, the Education Week magazine report gave the state low marks in other categories, such as the percentage of kids covered by health insurance.

A waggling thumb for Montana gamblers, who surely must be a wealthy bunch. They wagered $1.13 billion on video gambling in fiscal year 2006, or something like $1,000 for each man, woman and child in the state. Isn't it cool to have all that money to throw around?