What do you know?

Today’s current events quiz is brought to you by The Week.

I scored 8 out of 10 – maybe better luck next week.

A Rant

I’ve been blessed with good health, support and love from friends and family, and a fullfilling and challenging career. I’m far from perfect but try to live by the Golden Rule, “Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you.”

But there are days when I sit back and wonder what kind of crazy world I’ve been dumped in.

The President of the United States (Leader of the Free World) is paid an annual salary of $200,000 and change. Kobe Bryant, professional basketball player, makes approximately $13 million a year including endorsements.

On one hand you have reporters like David Bloom, who go the extra mile to make sure the real story reaches the American public. On the other hand, you have Jayson Blair, Stephen Glass, Ruth Shalit, Mike Barnicle, among other plagiarizing journos who are already back to work, making up sources and amusing themselves by lifting brilliant copy and calling it their own.

The poverty rate is up with almost 33 million Americans making less than $15,000 a year; unemployment has risen to 6.1%; there’s a war in Iraq – one of over two dozen hotspots around the globe – with American soldiers being shot on a daily basis for trying to bring some semblance of order to the Iraquis chaotic lives; not to mention terrorists full of hate and loathing for the western way of life who would like nothing more than to incinerate all of North America.

Meanwhile, Americans continue to sit in front of tv sets watching countless hours of “Reality Shows.” Kids graduate to higher levels of wonderful games like “Grand Theft Auto” while their health goes down the toilet everytime they consume a Big Mac or pizza or gallons of soda.

Meanwhile, only 60% of US citizens vote – and that figure was from the Presidential election of 2000 (which always draws a higher turnout) and not the last election in 2002 – but everyone gets their pants in a bunch when the politicians start screwing with their lives. If you didn’t vote, you have no right to criticize the job that’s being done now.

I watch good people struggle to make ends meet while individuals completely void of character reap in the wealth. Sports heros and actors are held in higher regard than the public servants in office. The answer to every conflict is to grab an attorney and haul someone (anyone) into court.

It makes me sad.

This is really pissing me off

NOW, Jayson Blair is handling coveted assignments from Esquire and Jane.

Where’s the irony? This in from the New York Post…….

“He’ll be reviewing the new Stephen Glass movie for Esquire and writing about workplace pressures for Jane.”

Why am I so offended? Why are publications employing these liars?

I’m pissed because it makes my job so much more difficult. If Joe Public starts reading everything with a grain of salt, then what’s to stop a reporter from slacking off (because there’s no penalty for getting the record wrong anyway)? What will happen if they stop going that extra mile to verify facts, or contact the source, or publish an accurate quote?

It’s like passing out liquor at an AA meeting

Why did Rolling Stone assign Stephen Glass to write a story?

See plagiarism rants on Blair and Blair.

Amorphophallus Titanum

I’m all with James on this one. WHY would anyone in their right mind voluntarily subject themselves to something that smells like rotting flesh?


A group of my colleagues are making their way to the Botanic Garden to wait in line and experience this phenomenon. To that I say, “Better you than me.”

The proliferation of plagiarism

This post brought back the vague memory of this story. Reading about Blair Hornstein’s accomplishments one can’t help but wonder (and hope) how much of that straight-A classwork was also borrowed from others.

I’m sitting here, getting really pissed off just reading about it.

Some would argue that she’s gotten what she deserves. After all, Harvard University reportedly rescinded her acceptance as a member of the Class of 2007. I don’t think it’s enough taking into consideration her history.

I say make an example of her. Because, let’s face it, there are hundreds – if not thousands – of high school students out there who think it’s okay to cheat. There are many who borrow from obscure websites or sources thinking they’ll never be found out.

This should also be a time for universities and colleges to reconsider their own excessive admissions criteria. In order to get into one of the Top 25, you not only need high SAT scores and a near perfect GPA, but must demonstrate a flair for philanthropy, leadership roles in extracurricular activities (yes, plural), and preferably letter in one or more sports. (I’m not even going to touch the letters of recommendation, the essay portion of the application or the personal interview).

It’s probably because this wretched little witch reminds me of someone I once went to school with way back when, but I hope she ends up at some no-name junior college in the middle of nowhere.

(my condolences to all of the poor students who must share a campus with this person)

How do you feel about cheating? Did you ever cheat? WHY is everyone cheating – Plagiarizing – Not attributing? And why do they feel it’s okay?

A bug’s life

This story just killed me. The female carries the male around piggyback.

Talk about a one-sided affair.

Fact or Fiction

I first read about “Hunting for Bambi” on this blog. I guess I’m a little late finding out that it is just another elaborate hoax to get some media attention.


Well it worked.


How many people think some company will run with this concept? And what does it say about the multi-media world that we now live in that this story received so much play?