I read the local rag five days a week and it usually doesn't inspire me to rant about anything. As a matter of fact, I find the comics and advice column to be the most interesting sections in the newspaper.....until today.

The first article to hit me between the eyes is about a 12 year old lad, sporting a large cast on his broken leg, who's mother thought it important to correct the erroneous impression that her son was at fault when it was most likely the driver of the van that hit him who is to blame. Her son, who was skateboarding on the wrong side of the road, after dark, in heavy rainfall and without a helmut is an innocent victim? His mother also states that he has an appointment to be tested for permanent damage as this was his third concussion.

A local gent sent a letter to the editor regarding the proliferation of abandoned shopping carts in our fair town. He seems to think the stores are at fault although I've never seen a sign stating, "Please take one. We have lots more." He thinks the city should round up the carts and put them in storage. Supposedly, the stores would go to this cart storage place and pay a storage fee to retrieve their carts. If the stores fail to come and get 'em then the carts should be sent somewhere for recycling. I have a novel idea. Why don't you pretend you're a good citizen and call the store to let them know where their carts are, like I do or better yet, put the errant cart in your truck and deliver it to the store, like my husband does. I say thank you to all the stores who provide me with a free cart for my shopping enjoyment.

How about that 17 year old who got a WHOLE years probation, 30 hours of community service and is being forced to write a letter of appology when all he did was get drunk, drag a (now former) bus driver to the sidewalk and kick and stomp him. The judge said, "If you get drunk, you're not allowed to take the bus." Maybe it's OK to get drunk and kick and stomp a taxi driver.