This just in from the Department of the Obvious

Saudi Arabia's king thinks oil prices are abnormally high, a spokesman for U.N. leader Ban Ki-Moon said Sunday. We could have told the king that, but we were too busy explaining to the police how we drove off the road because the sight of a fuel price sign made our jaw drop so far that it hit the gas pedal.

The Nationals swept the Mariners with a 6-2 victory Sunday, sinking the M's to a 24-45 record. At this rate, it probably won't be long before the beleaguered team is worth less than an abnormally expensive barrel of oil.

In addition to being corroded and leaky, the old Steel Electric ferries may be haunted. A Mukilteo-based ghost group wants to search the boats for evidence of paranormal activity. The ferry system refused, but perhaps it should reconsider. If the group finds any ghosts aboard, maybe it can persuade them to pay up for all those years of free rides.

Crosswalk buttons take a beating from pedestrians, who typically pound on them several times when once will do, an Everett traffic engineer says. Newer models beep when pushed, which seems to help, he says. But if the city really wants to cut down on button abuse, it should get some that say "Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!" in a wounded voice.