1/14/06

Horny homework: A health and physical ed high school teacher in Brooklyn, Ohio has been forced to drop an assignment he gave to his students. Scott Gioia gave a research assignment to his students; researching pornography on the web. The students would have also listed several facts about pornography and discuss any experiences they may have had with it. Needless to say, but I'll say it anyway, parents went hysterical and complained. The assignment was then canceled. I really think the teacher was well-intentioned, however, I think the 14 and 15 year old students are a bit too young for that kind of homework. That seems more suited for a college assignment.

Terror Trek: In Saudi Arabia a week long stoning ritual ended in tragedy. Each year pilgrims converge to pelt pillars called al-Jamarat. The pillars represent the devil and the pilgrims pelt the pillars over the course of a week in order to purge themselves of sins. The site of the ritual is Mina, outside of Mecca, and the location is basically a bottleneck. Not only that but pilgrims carry their belongings with them. This includes clothes, tents, food, baggage and they carry these items with them as they move through the different phases of the ritual. It sounds to me like some sort of a maze in which one wouldn't want to participate if one was claustrophobic. On Thursday, a stampede was caused as a result of baggage that was stumbled upon. The resulting pileup caused the death of more than 300 people. Each year more than 2 million pilgrims take place in the ritual. This isn't the first time the ritual has ended in death. Back in 1990 more than 1400 people were killed; in Feb of 2004 there were 244 deaths. Major Gen. Mansour al-Turki said that "This fate was destined by God. Some of the pilgrims were undisciplined and hasty to finish the ritual as soon as possible." No it wasn't! It was caused because someone stumbled over a suitcase that was in the way and someone else wasn't paying attention and stumbled over the first person and it was a chain reaction from their. Not only that the area is so tight that it's a wonder one can even breathe. Although I do have to admit that al-Turki's comment sounds like Pat Robertson's comment about Ariel Sharon's stroke. Every country has its share of ignorant statement makers.


Final Thought: As more fires burn in Oklahoma, a quake rocks New Zealand, tornadoes sweep through Alabama and Florida; one woman in Alabama was killed in her house when her chimney collapsed because of the wind and crushed her. Thirteen children were injured at a Florida school when part of the roof was torn off because of a storm. As you read this be thankful for each of your blessings and realize the fragility of life.

paul