Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Tree Decorated by Okla. Students Removed (AP). AP - A Christmas tree that elementary school students decorated with discarded lottery tickets was removed from the state Capitol over the weekend after a lawmaker complained it was inappropriate. [Yahoo! News: U.S. National] So because Rep. Randy Terrill, who opposes the lottery, finds the tree offensive, it is removed.  Would someone please explain this to me?  Is he offended by the symbolism of the Chirstmas Tree itself or by the fact that the lottery actually puts money into the schools?  Or is it just the lottery?  Frankly, either way, what does it matter.  The state has a lottery and the kids saw a neat way to recycle what was being discarded as trash. Get over it or get another job.  It is people like Rep. Terrill that need to be cut out of the gene pool. 7:40:29 AM    comment []

Sept. 11 Panel: U.S. Remains Unprepared (AP). AP - Time, money and ever-present terror threats have done little to close gaping holes in the nation's security system, the former Sept. 11 Commission said Monday in accusing the government of failing to protect the country against another attack. [Yahoo! News: U.S. National] At what point is the govenment of the United States going to start taking any of this seriously?  Clearly they still just do not get it.  It will take another mass loss of life before they understand that the mess they call Homeland Security is not capable of tackling the issue. 7:35:48 AM    comment []

Cafe Stirs Debate Over Kids' Behavior (AP). AP - Dan McCauley had seen one too many kids at his cafe lying on the floor in front of the counter, careening off the glass pastry case, coming perilously close to getting their fingers pinched in the front door. So he posted a sign: "Children of all ages have to behave and use their indoor voices." [Yahoo! News: U.S. National] So let me see if I understand.  As a store owner (and thus responsible for the safety of his employees and customers, not to mention responsible for paying insurance) Dan has told parents to do their job.  And this is upsetting people?  Why?  As a father, if my child was doing what Dan has reported (and I see it every day in every store and resturant I go into), my child would be out the door in a heartbeat.  I am sorry that your children are bothering you, but if you are going to be a parent out in public with your children, you should expect them to learn to behave properly.  It is good training for when you are not around.  Something most teanagers still need to learn. 7:21:17 AM    comment []

© Copyright 2006 David Lane.