What Caught My Eye Today

Fred's Note: I want to give a shout out to Mom and Dad on 38 years of wedded bliss (at least for the most part). We'll be thinking of you.

Pope - If you thought that I was leading off the day with something other than the economy (that would be a nice change of pace, wouldn't it?), think again. Pope Benedict XVI said that the global economic crisis should lead the nations of the world back to religion. Call me crazy, but I think there are an awful lot of people out there calling out to God as they watch their retirement accounts vaporize--"Oh God, why is this happening to me?"--you know, that sort of thing. The Vatican has been running articles in its official newspaper that criticize the free-market model for having "grown too much and badly in the past two decades." You see, this is why no one likes the Catholic Church. Where's the love, where's the sympathy?

2008 Presidential Race - Enough of all these polls. How about some scientific evidence that we can truly rely upon in determining the next President. Since October 1 customers at 7-Eleven have been able to choose cup colors--Democratic blue or Republican red. The convenience store's previous Presidential cup polls in 2000 and 2004, accurately predicted the winners within a few percentage points. As of October 7, the running tally from 5,375 participating stores shows Obama ahead 58% to 42%. Just like I promises, concrete proof of who will be the next President. Why bother even showing up to the polls on Election Day? Given the accuracy of this poll, I could not help but add these numbers to the Presidential Race at a Glance portlet.

Nebraska - A Nebraska state law intended to protect unwanted infants has had unintended consequences, with parents abandoning 16 children, most between the ages of 11 and 17, at local hospitals. The law covers children as old as 18, and some overwhelmed parents are using it to dispose of children they feel they can no longer care for. One man said, "I was able to get the kids to a safe place before they were homeless," as he abandoned 9 of his 10 children. On one hand, you could say that these children may be better off in state custody if their parents no longer feel up to the task of parenting. Then there is the cynical perspective that I feel compelled to raise with the state legislators. Every state in the nation has some sort of "safe haven" law on the books. You couldn't just copy one of those to save yourselves the headache of this unforeseen consequence of a poorly written law?

Canada - And now we bring you another so bizarre it must be true story, this time from our friends north of the border. The Ontario provincial legislature is considering a bill that would allow people to apologize without fear of being sued. They need a law for this? The Apology Act prevents apologies for wrongdoings--whether by individuals or by organizations--from being used as evidence of liability in lawsuits. Ontario's Attorney General said, "We see fewer and fewer acknowledgements, demonstrations of regret, demonstrations of remorse, until the lawsuit. Um, I think that's because the perpetrators are sorry that they are getting sued; not necessarily because they screwed someone. The bill does not affect victims' rights to sue or to receive compensation. So basically, this law is being considered because people's consciences no longer seem up to the task of acknowledging wrongdoing. That's nice.