I will probably be messing about the blog this weekend testing a different template, so there will undoubtedly be interruptions in service and weirdness.

Don’t Panic! [and don’t forget your towel]

Bill Dedman, MSNBC Investigative reporter does his job: 10 myths about school shootings

The profile of the gun-toting student in a trench coat is just one of the myths about the rare but murderous attacks in the nation’s schools.

Here are 10 myths about school shootings, compiled by MSNBC.com from a 2002 study by the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Department of Education. The researchers studied case files and other primary sources for 37 attacks by current or former students, and also interviewed 10 of the perpetrators.

Before long the legislators will be out in force with plans to save us all by passing another totally worthless law. The only reason that people know about these attacks is the media coverage, if they don’t occur in the inner cities. As the media beat their drums people think there is some huge problem that must be dealt with immediately, and during an election year there will be a predictable rush to legislate to provide campaign talking points.

Smaller class sizes would probably do more good than metal detectors, but you won’t see that in the legislative agenda.

My solution would be psych screening for politicians.

Thereby Hang The Tails

He doesn’t spell very well.
It’s what they call a pun.
He doesn’t do that very well, either.

[Editor: Ringo and Excise sprawled on a storage container displaying their extreme tail length.]

Friday Ark

In Memoriam

POP of Morning Martini had to say goodbye to Murphy after 16 years.