Bits & Bytes

• Shouldn't animal rights activists know something about animals?--Ingrid Newkirk, founder of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is publishing a book in May called "250 Things You Can Do to Make Your Cat Adore You." Sadly, one of her suggestions--a vegetarian diet for cats--would likely be harmful, as cats are carnivores and require adequate levels of nutrients from meat to stay healthy.
• Conspiracy theory or professional experience?--In an IDS article, Harold Pepinsky--a criminal justice professor at IU--asserted that law enforcement is actually part of the drug trade. "There's a lot of money to be made in trafficking illegal drugs, and the most secure way to do (this) is through drug enforcers..." Perhaps IU isn't paying its professors enough!
• School dress codes get out of hand--A high school senior in Georgia was issued a one-day suspension for wearing a Pepsi shirt on a "Coke Day" which school officials designated to try to win a $500 contest by the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. This is the same company that, in return for exclusive distribution of Coke products on the IU campus, gives thousands of dollars to Chancellor Gros-Louis to spend on his liberal pet projects, such as the ubiquitous 'Student Coalition'.
• Unfortunately, it doesn't cure stupidity--According to a news release by the local chapter of the Citizens' Alliance for the Legalization of Marijuana, supposed "medicinal" marijuana supporters have been arrested for lighting joints in the offices of members of Congress who support a resolution stating Congress' opposition to marijuana legalization. Someone needs to teach these dope-heads some basic protest tips. That's like shooting up heroin to support keeping morphine legal as a pain killer.
• Call a firefighter, this cat's up a tree!--As reported in the Herald-Times, incumbent State Representative candidate Jerry Bales tried to persuade an official from the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency to write a letter stating that his opponent Jeff Ellington's tree business hasn't legally reported the use of hazardous chemicals. The suggestion is apparently unfounded. Ellington may work outdoors for a living, but Bales is the one caught with mud on his hands!