Politics can be like Michael Jackson
It’s already early voting time in Tennessee and there are some tough choices to be made. For Republicans, the presidential race is absolutely wide open as no frontrunner has yet to emerge. For Democrats, it’s shaping up as a two-horse race to the finish and who can tell how the cards will fall in this unprecedented battle.
The thing about the Democratic primary that’s so intriguing is voters will have a unique choice. It’s either a black man or a white woman. With John Edwards fading into the distance, voters will have a choice between a black man or a white woman.
It’s sort of like the choice Michael Jackson made.
As for odd, strange and curious news of the day, a Massachusetts man convicted of bank robbery is apparently going to be able to keep his $1 million jackpot. Timothy Elliott, 55, was on probation at the time with strict orders not to gamble in any way, shape or form ‘ including playing the lottery.
Even though Elliott blatantly defied the rules of his probation, a judge has ruled he can keep the money. In fact, he has already received the first of 20 annual $50,000 checks from the lottery commission.
However, the judge wasn’t about to let Elliott off lightly. In a move sure to send shock waves through the criminal world, Judge Richard Connon ruled Elliott must now pay his $65 monthly probation fee. The fee had previously been waived because Elliott was indigent.
Gee, that will teach him.
Today’s final tidbit takes us to Mount Lebanon, Pa., where a group called the Christian Mount Lebanon Young Life Club is taking unique worship ideas to a new level.
I know the emphasis in some religions, in order to attract youthful members, is to shift to more ‘hip’ services. In some churches, this involves singing hymns to the beat of rap music. At others, people are encouraged to attend in casual dress, such as jeans and a T-shirt. I don’t necessarily agree with any of these methods but it’s surely not my place to tell folks how to worship.
Anyway, this Christian club in Mount Lebanon recently staged a teen social event where people were encouraged to eat chocolate pudding out of a diaper. Another enjoyable event had boys wearing the diapers and bibs and being spoon fed while sitting in the laps of girls.
A youth minister described the event as a way to ‘break down walls.’ I don’t know what walls he’s talking about, but I’d like to keep the walls standing that discourage people from eating pudding from diapers.