Another accumulation of factoids from various reliable sources:

Semper fidelis: There are now more deaths by suicide among active-duty soldiers than killed by war. Among veterans of all ages, the ratio is about 25 to 1.

Who says Congress isn’t working: In the past 10 years, there have been 4,428 changes to the U.S. tax code – more than one per day.

Relative use of time: In 2010, Americans spent 764 billion hours in tax-related paperwork – more than twice the working time spent by all elementary school teachers in the country.

The Bush recession eases: This year’s expenses for an America teenager at the high school prom were expected to average $1,078, versus $807 last year. The reported cost of weddings is too much to believe!

A bargain: In 2009 the average U.S. funeral cost $6,560. The medical school at University of New England in Biddeford, will handle Uncle Festus for free.

Attention, Rick Santorum: Recent studies at the University of Rochester confirm that the most rigid anti-gays were most likely to have repressed homosexual tendencies.

Confidence in America: Some 93 percent of those older than 65 say that Social Security is very important to their financial security. Only 9 percent of those below 49 feel that Social Security will be available them when they reach retirement.

Worry among warriors: Last year, more than 100,000 active-duty troops were taking prescribed anti-depressants – more than 6 percent of the entire military force.

Christian rule book adopted by the CIA: For centuries, church inquisition instructions specified two basic rules for torturing suspects: 1. Those who confessed deserved the stake; 2. Those who didn’t confess were guilty because only Satan could give them the willpower to withstand torture.

Enough is enough: U.S. primary care physicians earn about one-third more than their counterparts elsewhere – an average of $186,582 in 2008 – while those in Australia and France had the lowest earnings, $92,844 and $95,585.

Enough may be too much: U.S. orthopedic surgeons earn an average of $442,450; in other countries, less than $210,000.

News you can use: Researchers have found that liberals prefer dogs who are gentle but not subservient, while conservatives seek dogs who are loyal and obedient.

Fear among Americans: Research suggests that conservatives are more concerned with threats than are liberals, and have a greater startle reflex when they hear loud noises. Conservatives also secrete more skin moisture (sweat) than liberals when they see disgusting images.

How long until chairs were invented? Our ancestors starting walking upright 5 million years ago – except the forbears of Tennessee legislators who were riding dinosaurs.

Invest your money: Since Obama’s inauguration in 2009, after adjusting for inflation, the stock market has risen at an annual rate of 16.4 percent.

White men can’t jump either: The average female basketball player has a vertical leap of approximately 19 inches, while male players average 28 inches.

Wrong number: On an average, each consumer loses one cell phone per year – about $30 billion worth last year.

Nice work if you can get it: All but a tiny fraction of congressmen who retire remain working in some way associated with Washington power. The average salary increase is more than 1,400 percent.

Global warming is a myth: Washington’s cherry blossoms are flowering four weeks earlier than they were in the 1990s. If the present rate is maintained, by mid-century they will flower on New Year’s.

Watch out for them pointy heads: Among scientists, Democrats outnumber Republicans 9 to 1.

Which group is headed for heaven? Some 80 percent of black Americans say they believe in God. Only 27 percent of Jewish Americans share that belief.

Rodney Quinn, who died Oct. 27, wrote several columns in advance for publication, which the newspaper will print through the coming weeks.

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