One of the more telling sidelights to come out of the discussion about the flu and swine flu, and the delay of shots for the former, and the nearly total absence of vaccine for the latter, is how inept the federal government has shown itself to be when it came time to back up its warnings with action.

After months of whipping the public into a frenzy over the dreaded swine flu, and urging everyone to get the regular flu shots, one vaccine is hopelessly delayed and the other is scarce.

At the rate that both forms of the flu and related illnesses are spreading, especially throughout the schools, the vaccine could very likely be moot by the time it arrives.

The government's response time, in fact, has been so desultory that it should make people think twice about embracing a federally run universal health care program. If the head of the nation's health infrastructure can't even produce an effective vaccine on time before millions get sick, then how in the heck is that same government going to run an effective health care program?

The answer is that they can't, and won't - no matter how many trillions of dollars that we don't have are spent on it. The health insurance situation is a mess, to be sure, but it's impossible to have any confidence in the government's ability to fix things after the way they've botched the flu situation. Flu success story

A rare flu success story happened on the evening of Monday, Oct. 19, in North Attleboro. That's when Anne Marie Fleming and her capable staff vaccinated about 300 people of all ages considered high risk in about 90 minutes. The people calmly waited in line, and once in the building were handled in a most patient, efficient and kind manner. Government works best when the people performing a particular task are attentive, competent and compassionate, and the North Attleboro Health Department's nurse and staff were the personification of that on that particular night.

Kudos to The Literacy Center

Congratulations to The Literacy Center of Attleboro, which has been delivering vital services to the area for more than 20 years. As the Oct. 26 feature on The Sun Chronicle's Community page pointed out, its success is due in large measure to the hundreds of volunteer tutors who have selflessly given their time over the years so others would be able to appreciate the joy of reading. Here's hoping that Joan Ricci and her staff are able to continue offering their vital services for years to come.

Worthwhile fundraiser

It's no secret that fundraising has become especially difficult for nonprofits during this prolonged recession. That's why it was heartening to see the Attleboro Arts Museum's annual auction, scheduled for this Saturday evening, to get off to a good start with its online bidding. Close to 150 pieces of original artwork in a wide variety of media will be up for sale at the auction. The auction will start at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6. For information or tickets, call 508-222-2644 or go to www.attleboroartsmuseum.org.

Reminder: Be a Gourmet Guy

Here's a reminder that New Hope needs your financial help more than ever. Gourmet Guys is one of the Attleboro-based agency's principal fundraisers. This year's event will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at the Attleboro Lodge of Elks, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors and children. To order tickets by Friday, Nov. 13, send an RSVP to Amanda Nelson at New Hope, 140 Park St., Attleboro, MA 02703, or go to the Web site, www.new-hope.org.

LARRY KESSLER, a Sun Chronicle local news editor, can be reached at lkessler@thesunchronicle.com.