If you’re keeping score of your host’s various Glaring Errors, I’m not sure this qualifies. I did write the Good Morning post, and I did publish it. Just neglected to check the little box that tossed it up on the front page. Details, details. So if you’re just tuning in, as we never say at buzz.mn, give it a read below. Now, fresh meanderings:
We might get light rail on the bridge, after all. Or not. The Governor says he's talking about it with Mayor Rybak, but I doubt it'll happen. It'll take too long and the Federal government won’t pay for it. Tell me if I’m missing something here: the money to make the bridge light-rail-capable will either come from existing budgets or revenues from an increased gas tax. Doesn’t this mean less money to repair the other bridges we’re told must be fixed?
Now, a drastic mood shift. A shovel, a house fan, and other objects: as a parent, I think that about sums it up the emotion you’d feel. You find someone assaulting a nine-year-old girl, you subdue the attacker with whatever you can get your hands on. Note: it’s the teen’s second offence – or at least the second time he was caught. He knew he would face consequences if he did it again, and he did it again.
Not that you asked for my unscientific layman’s opinion, but I don’t think most of these people can be cured. So what do you do? Jail them, let them out when the sentence is completed, then wait for them to do it again? Indefinite interment after completion of sentence if the shrinks say the person’s still a threat? Automatic life without parole for people who prey on children? The last option, I suspect, wouldn’t bother most. But I can’t imagine a legislator proposing such a thing.
You can find abuse in the abuser’s own life, of course – it might explain a few things, but it doesn’t absolve. The famous movie “M,” about a child murderer in Berlin, has a harrowing scene in which the criminal – played to the very hilt of creepiness by Peter Lorre – screams that he cannot help himself. Really? He went to great lengths to ensure his compulsion was not detected. He helped himself as much as he could, actually. Men who get in cars and prowl the streets for little kids know exactly what they’re doing. They enjoy their work.
Non-local mood-restoring link of the day: I can has wingsz plz? (If that made no sense to you, you need to learn about Lolcats, now. Explanation here, vast compendium of examples here.)
Scooterists, they’re called. I guess. The Rattle My Bones rally is underway in the Twin Cities – the 8th annual assembly of motorscooter enthusiasts. If you see a flock of aqua-hued Vespas boring down your street this weekend, well, now you know. (I used to drive one; loved it, but always felt insecure in traffic. You feel like you’re driving a lawn chair in a NASCAR rally.) Lots of vintage scooters will be present, and I hope to see a few; there’s something about an old Vespa that makes you wish you were 21, living in Europe in 1962, dating Sophia Loren.
Back later with thrilling news about a fountain that ran out of water. Really. Later: on-the-scene reports from a malfunctioning stop light! Well, no. But it’s Friday, a perfect blue Friday in August; if ever there’s a day to take it light, it’s this one.
I can has justice?
Any parent knows they would go to great lengths to defend their children, even if it meant murder. You see it in the wild all the time. Mama Bear can get mighty angry if you mess with her cubs.
If I was the detective, district attorney, or judge sitting the case, I'd see about having the charges dropped against both the man and the girl's mother. I'd put all charges on the teen, including aggrevated assault, rape, assault on a minor, etc. etc. etc. If the teen dies in the hospital, I say give the mother and the neighbor both awards for making the world a much better place by removing one more oxygen-waster. You wouldn't want me on the jury for that trial.
I've known about lolcats for a few months now. I remember when you lolcatted Jasper back in March or April during the Great Refrigerator Delivery in your Bleat. I think you had it as "Im in ur bleat freakin out ur readerz" or words to that effect.