January 31, 2004

A proposed set of guidelines for middle and high school science classes in Georgia is calling for the removal of the word "evolution" from science classes. The guidelines also plan to omit references to the age of the planet and information about natural selection.

You see, the Bible thumpers in that state want to promote creationism in the schools and they mistakenly believe the Earth is only several thousand years old. No amount of facts will dissuade their argument.

Students in Georgia already lack the fundamentals of biology, astronomy and geology, and now the Georgia Education Department wants to make sure their ignorance remains intact at graduation.

Nearly two-thirds of NYC high school students were unable to pass the Regents exams in English, math, U.S. history, global history and science.

You need a score of 55 or better to pass the tests and graduate. Yet only 36.1 percent of these students did that well. My question is ...why?

January 30, 2004

Apparently not Larry Feingold, a Manhattan attorney who tried to kill himself last year. Suffering from a break-up, Feingold allegedly turned on all the burners on his stove in order to die from carbon monoxide poisoning. Five hours later, his botched suicide-by-stove attempt injured two neighbors and blew up three floors of his apartment building.

Here's his excuse.

Rush Limbaugh's recent legal woes are nothing compared to the beating his public image has taken in the past year. Not only is he considered a "...Big Fat Idiot," he's also a hypocritical pillpopper.

"This is the way the legal system works. Justice is administered and the attorneys and judges get paid for appearing in court. The victim does not get paid. Then the victim discusses this system with his cabdriver."

Read what the victim said in the latest Night Cabbie column.

January 29, 2004

The final votes in the Preditors & Editors Readers Poll for 2003 have been counted and I placed in the Top 10 for Best Short Story/Horror (The Chair Affair) and Best Short Story/Romance (Must Sign for Delivery).

Thanks to everyone who voted for me!

If you see a headline in the newspaper that doesn't seem to gel with the story below it, don't blame the reporter. I repeat, do not blame the reporter. Reporters do not write headlines, editors do. And everyone makes mistakes.

To learn more about the newspaper process, click here. Doug Clifton, the editor of The Plain Dealer in Cleveland will explain it to you.

January 28, 2004

The Clark County Coroner's office in Las Vegas is using the Internet to learn more about the lives of its John and Jane Does. Pictures and/or reports of 180 people have been posted online since November. To date, eight have been positively identified.

I am eternally grateful to the men and women who respond to emergency calls. Police officers, EMTs and firefighters perform their duties in the most dangerous of conditions. Like winter.

January 27, 2004

In the end, we all face death alone. However, I believe that those who die in good company pass away a bit easier than the people who die in solitude. Knowing someone will remember your life, and mourn your passing, must surely provide some comfort.

For the terminally ill and elderly who have no one to call as the end nears, a doula may be the answer. In the final days of dying, these kind volunteers offer friendship and comfort to strangers.

"There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group; there is less competition there."
--Indira Gandhi

January 26, 2004

A new Jaded Writings column has been posted. This week, I discuss the romantic weekend I just experienced in Oregon.

"Everyone should have kids. They are the greatest joy in the world. But they are also terrorists. You'll realize this as soon as they are born, and they start using sleep deprivation to break you."
--Ray Romano

January 25, 2004

With a Netsurfer, I could become a wicked writing machine. Anyone interested in buying me one?

Justice and Morality
You believe in doing what is right for others
and maybe even for yourself.
People would consider you one with good morals,
and someone who would not let them down.

Which Characteristic From the Samurai Code Matches You Best?
brought to you by Quizilla

Past Afterthoughts