The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has just gotten quite a bit of company: As many as 6,600 graves at the country’s hallowed Arlington National Cemetery for fallen U.S. service members may be mislabeled, one lawmaker said on Thursday.

National

COLLEGE DROPOUTS

Political movements are becoming ever more like a match tossed into a room full of dynamite: No matter which stick you are aiming for, chances are a lot of others will fire off, too.

National

Talking about the ‘C’ word

A drama about a woman diagnosed with terminal cancer doesn’t exactly sound like the most entertaining new series on the fall prime-time slate. But there is more buzz surrounding Showtime’s “The Big C” than perhaps any other series premiering this season, and the incomparable Laura Linney is a major reason why the series is high on critics’ must-see lists.

The Word

Rabbis, controversy, and jail time at Chelsea’s wedding

Although facts on the famed Clinton-Mezvinsky wedding, which is rumored to happen this weekend, are tighter than Hillary Clinton’s smile, some details have leaked out. Sources report that groom Marc Mezvinsky has “hurt” his father’s family by not inviting them to the wedding (Ed Mezvinsky pleaded guilty in 2002 to swindling investors out of $10 million.

Movies

Table for two

For Paul Rudd, the decision to star in Jay Roach’s new comedy, “Dinner for Schmucks,” was an easy one. “I thought the script was really funny,” he says. “That was it. It was kind of a no-brainer.” Of course Rudd, who’s built an impressive resume of smart comedies, was just as enamored of the man behind the camera.

New York Home

Short-term living in Jersey City

Subletting in NYC typically involves some kind of covert transaction. Try to find a budget traveler who hasn’t enjoyed the risk of Craigslist’s lease-free rentals. But thanks to a bill Gov. David Paterson signed into law last Friday, renting an apartment for less than 30 days isn’t kosher. Fortunately, there’s a saving grace for those in search of short-term living: Jersey City.

Money

Jobless claims fall, still high

New claims for unemployment benefits slipped last week, but stayed at a stubbornly high level that underscored the labor market recovery was having trouble gaining traction.

My Wellbeing

So long, Snuggies. Hello, Acushakti

Could nail mats like the Acushakti be the next Snuggies?

It’s possible, according to a top consumer survey.

My Travel

Taking a joy ride through Italy

Unless the locals covered you in meatballs and sang “Nessun Dorma” upon arrival, this vacation could hardly be more Italian. For this is a “Vespa vacation” — a two-wheeled tour of the nooks and crannies, the winding back roads and the off-the-beaten-track hidden gems of breathtaking Umbria, a beautiful region located in Central Italy.

My Career

It’s so hard to say goodbye

For many job-hopping careerists, smuggling a resignation letter in their bag like a guilty secret, there are few workplace rituals so hard as saying so long.

Published 21:40, March the 1st, 2010

Send

Ticket sellers for Long Island Rail Road at the Atlantic Avenue station. The LIRR gives workers and their families free passes to ride.

Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Look who rides free

Big perks

Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road are even more generous:

6,853 LIRR employees got free passes this year, along with 2,626 of their spouses, and 3,427 dependents — a “child” up to 25 years old.

4,776 LIRR retirees ride free, with 3,684 spouses.

An average monthly pass on LIRR costs $232.

6,132 Metro-North workers ride its lines free, with 2,653 spouses and 653 dependents.

1,918 Metro-North retirees get free passes, and 1,124 of their spouses.

A monthly suburban pass on Metro-North can range from $186 to $412.

Passes for retirees and their spouses are intended for occasional use, officials said.

While the MTA wants to charge New York City schoolkids to get to class, the authority’s employees, spouses, retirees and even children ride the rails for free every day.

Nearly 50,000 New York City Transit employees got a free ride this year, as did an additional 15,000 retirees. If 50,000 riders bought an $89 monthly MetroCard for a year, it would bring in nearly $50 million to the cash-strapped MTA’s coffers.

But the MTA said it’s impossible to determine how much money is lost through the free program, as many transit employees, such as bus drivers, drive to work.

Nonetheless, the free-ride tradition is “irresponsible,” said New York City Councilman Peter Vallone, Jr. “They’re cutting the W, which is a lifeline, while at the same time giving out perks like this.”

The free passes are given out through collective bargaining with the Transit Workers Union, said an MTA spokesperson, who added that many employees use their passes for work purposes.

Even MTA chief Jay Walder gets a free ticket to ride, as do 790 other employees from MTA headquarters, such as spokespeople and administrators.

The MTA also gave out 52,000 free passes to New York City cops, and 701 MTA police officers ride for free.

CLICK ON CHART TO ENLARGE

Music

MMMpod

In the July MMMpod, Young Veins talk about breaking away from Panic! at the Disco, Keith Lockhart talks about Buckwheat Zydeco throwing the Boston Pops for a loop, Zooey Deschanel talks about how Roy Orbison inspired a She & Him song, Derek Miller of Sleigh Bells talks about how awesome Funkadelic is, and we talk about how awesome Jimmy Cliff is, who in turn talks about Sam Cooke and divine intervention. An explosive show for July! Oh yeah, and we also test your knowledge of America songs in the MMMPod medley.

[Flyers by PaperG]

US – Friday, July 30

Look who rides free

Big perks

Metro Life Panel


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