April 28, 2006
"Well, you're rich and white..."
CNN.com - Limbaugh reaches settlement in prescription drug charges - Apr 28, 2006
"I don't see why we should punish you at all. Just keep going to treatment until your probation runs out."
I don't mind not putting addicts in jail. It's the double standard I can't stand. Story calls him a "radio giant"; has he put the weight back on?
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:39 PM | Comments (7)
March 27, 2006
Stop me if you've heard this before
Drug-free school area ineffective, report says
An Alabama drug law doesn't do anything to stop illegal drug use, but it does contribute to overpopulating the prison system with nonviolent offenders and is racially biased.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 07:12 AM | Comments (0)
March 06, 2006
Cracky Top
ESPN.com - NCB - Two Vols suspended, charged with possession of crack
I am shocked, shocked to discover that members of the University of Tennessee basketball team are on crack.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 02:38 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 30, 2005
I wonder why
CNN.com - 'Father�of Valium' dead at 97 - Sep 30, 2005
For some reason, I can't seem to get worked up about this.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 02:19 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
August 08, 2005
New rule
CNN.com - GOP, Dems argue over beer money - Aug 8, 2005
If you work at a brewery, never sample the product before sending large donations to out-of-state political parties. You might wind up sending money to the Democrats instead of the Republicans. If I'm the Democrats, I keep the money. We need all the help we can get.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:00 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
June 16, 2005
Woof
Democrats: Will block FDA confirmation
I don't have any confidence in their ability to block this guy (who won't explain why the FDA continues to refuse to approve the morning-after pill). They can't do anything right. What interests me is that the acting and future head of the FDA is a vet.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:17 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 19, 2005
It's cheaper than Jack Daniel's
Crown Royal rules state's booze sales
That seems to be why it sells better at Alabama liquor stores, though some are even cheaper. Are Alabamians getting enough blotto for their bucks?
Posted by Mac Thomason at 08:28 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
April 13, 2005
The dreadful liquor shortage of 2005
Conveyor delays liquor shipments
In the worst news yet, shipments of liquor to some state stores have been delayed while a new conveyor belt was being installed in the Montgomery warehouse. And other brands won't be available at all, including erstwhile official state whiskey Conecuh Ridge.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:28 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 12, 2005
Just perfect
Apparently, the Flora-Bama Lounge was a little bit too wrecked by Ivan and will be torn down by a new building which will be "just as low-rent" as the old one.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:54 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
March 24, 2005
Interstate commerce, anyone?
Town seeks Sudafed, Actifed ban
One of these fringe communities is suing Pfizer in order to get a judge to ban the sale of these drugs in the state, because the drugs can be used to manufacture methamphetamine. So what we end up with is a lot of Alabamians with stuffy noses, and no less meth because you can just buy it in Georgia or Tennessee or wherever.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:17 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
January 24, 2005
Oh, no, a treatment facility!
Alabaster officials oppose drug clinic
Dear God, a methadone clinic might draw criminals. (Certainly there are no drug addicts in Alabaster, no sir!)
Actually, they don't come out and say why they want to stop the clinic. Their listed reasons don't make any sense even in the limited way these sort of NIMBY arguments make sense:
- It's next to a bar, a restaurant, and a hair salon.
- People would have to go through major intersections to get there.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:22 AM | Comments (8) | TrackBack
January 04, 2005
All in how you read it
Moderate drinking helps reduce strokes
Older Men Who Drink Regularly, Heavily Increase Risk of Stroke
Same story, looked at different ways. It's probably not a good idea to drink lots and lots no matter how old you are.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:27 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 27, 2004
What, now?
CNN.com - George Carlin enters rehab - Dec 27, 2004
He says it's for wine and Vicodin. Carlin did, by all accounts, a truly massive amount of drugs back in the day, and this is what brings him down?
Posted by Mac Thomason at 05:52 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 06, 2004
Nothing major
Officials say there is no major drug problem at UA
The dead-tree version of the Tuscaloosa News has a slightly different headline: "Officials say no drug problem at UA". So I'm thinking, None? Wow, they sure have cleaned up the place since I was there, then. Either that, or they've redefined "drug problem". Perhaps they mean there's no problem getting drugs. But I kid my alma mater. The drug of choice there has always been alcohol anyway.
So anyway, there are no drugs on the University of Alabama campus. Absolutely none, and when I say none, I mean there is a certain amount:
There have been five arrests in the last four months, said Capt. Lee Harris of the UA Police Department, and eight narcotics violations, seven of which were involving marijuana. In fact, most drug use on campus is marijuana, said Harris, although students will occasionally abuse other substances."We sometimes see prescription medicines," he said, "often in conjunction with a DUI."
Snyder said while crack or cocaine are seldom found on campus, ecstasy and Ritalin are common. Some students use Ritalin to stay up to study, he said.
Ah, good times.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 01:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 27, 2004
I feel fine, thanks
Baycol statin drug should have been pulled from market sooner, says new study
I have on my shelf a sample box of Baycol, the cholesterol-lowering drug I was prescribed a while back. I used that up, pay for my drugs, and I swear, the next week they pull it from the market.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 04:34 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
November 11, 2004
Ah, I can drive!
al.com: NewsFlash - NASCAR lifts ban on liquor sponsorship
Hard liquor and driving 200 MPH -- the two great things that go great together!
Posted by Mac Thomason at 08:58 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
September 20, 2004
Will there be an assault booze ban?
CNN.com - Kalashnikov launches liquid weapon - Sep 20, 2004
Of course Mikhael Kalashnikov is starting a brand of vodka. It is 82 proof. I would have gone with 94 proof, which would be 47 percent alcohol.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 03:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 30, 2004
Republican economics
Talking Points Memo: by Joshua Micah Marshall: August 29, 2004 - September 04, 2004 Archives
Leaving aside the slur on George Soros, Dennis Hastert doesn't seem to grasp the economics of the worldwide illegal drug trade. The drug cartel is against legalization, which would cut into profits. I quote Soros himself (from a Salon profile):
"I would establish a strictly controlled distribution network through which I would make most drugs, excluding the most dangerous ones like crack, legally available. Initially I would keep the prices low enough to destroy the drug trade. Once that objective was attained I would keep raising the prices, very much like the excise duty on cigarettes, but I would make an exception for registered addicts in order to discourage crime. I would use a portion of the income for prevention and treatment. And I would foster social opprobrium of drug use."
You know what I don't understand? How did the leaders of the supposedly pro-capitalist party become so ignorant of basic economic principles?
Oh, and calling Soros a front for the drug cartel is disgusting, but you knew that.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 19, 2004
Silly Pennsylvanians
nbc13.com - Automotive - Man Loses License After Telling Doctor He Drinks Beer
Okay... First, I don't drink beyond a very occasional glass of wine, but a six-pack of beer a day doesn't seem that extreme to me.
Second, Pennsylvania law requires that doctors report "any impairments that could compromise their patients' ability to drive safely." Leaving aside the obvious doctor/patient privilege issues, this is a very bad idea because it will encourage people to not report their problems to their doctors, thereby damaging their health care and messing things up for everyone.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 08:51 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 15, 2004
Entry-level marketing
Child center alleged scene of drug deals
A day care center director has been charged with child endangerment for selling cocaine from the center (which was located at his home). Apparently not to the kids, at least.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:37 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
April 07, 2004
Take that, Bob! [hic!]
Alabama Lawmakers Designate State Whiskey
Yes, overriding the governor's veto, the State Senate voted 19-8 that "Conecuh Ridge Fine Alabama Whiskey" (bottled in Kentucky) the official state spirit. Next: the official state prescription drug!
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:53 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 31, 2004
The Loophole
Eateries become clubs on Sundays
If it's Sunday, and you're in Shelby County, Applebee's is a club. So is O'Charley's. So are any number of chain restaurants. There's a loophole in the no-alcohol-sales-on-Sundays law that allows "private clubs" to sell booze to their "members", but there's no regulation as to what constitutes a private club. So you go to Applebee's, give them a dollar, and fill out a form, and you're in the club and can drink to your heart's content.
Here's what we're facing:
County Commissioner Ted Crockett said Sundays "are the Lord's day, and we should relax and enjoy the day," alcohol-free. "We have gotten too permissive on Sundays anyway," he said. "Are we supposed to go seven days a week without appreciating the Lord's day?"
Didn't Jesus, uh, turn water into wine? Didn't He establish wine as part of the central ritual of the church? I'm just saying that the opposition to alcohol has little or nothing to do with Jesus or God the Father or the Bible and a whole lot to do with Baptist biases against anything that makes life tolerable.
Full disclosure: I don't drink. Well, not much. A glass of wine on rare occasions.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:27 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
March 29, 2004
More booze, please!
In the ongoing fight against Alabama's religiously-inspired petty repression, one of the more successful battles of late has been for Sunday alcohol sales. It's such a dumb ban that only religion could inspire it. The state's four largest cities, largest county, and a number of smaller municipalities now allow Sunday liquor sales, and a new bill in the legislature would allow more to join them.
26 counties still don't allow any alcohol sales, by the way. Avoid these counties.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:11 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
February 16, 2004
Really new Coke
Coke to try a 'near-beer' in Japan
Sounds dreadful. They have no plans to market it here.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:23 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 11, 2004
Ladies and Gentlemen, Harry Connick Sr.
Retired DA: Test students for drugs
Well, first I finally found out who Harry Connick Sr. was. Not that it was a burning issue or anything. Second, he wants to test high school students for drugs. Fifth Amendment? Never heard of it. Right to privacy? That's just an invention of the liberal media.
And yes, you can write an entire article about the man without mentioning his famous son.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:31 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 09, 2004
Booze police
SHC campus abuzz with complaints about alcohol busts
Mobile police are targeting students from Spring Hill College who are drinking in bars. In fact, they're targeting students who have drank as well; students with alcohol in their bloodstream but who weren't holding drinks have been arrested. Basically, the cops will raid a bar, look for anyone who looks young, and if they're underage give them breathalyzers and line up everyone who fails. Fun, yes?
Posted by Mac Thomason at 11:36 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
February 05, 2004
Mardi Blahs
City plans two zones for ban on alcohol
Mobile is going to rope off a couple of blocks on its Mardi Gras parade route and declare them alcohol-free zones. For Mardi Gras. Speaking as someone who generally doesn't drink, I can only ask: What's the point of alcohol-free Mardi Gras?
The city council attorney says he's recommending that the proposal be amended so the areas can be expanded should they become popular. I don't think that's something you'll have to worry about.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:31 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
December 30, 2003
Good economic news
Liquor retailers expect higher sales than last year
Booze is back... if it ever went away. December sales from the state alcohol stores are already up $1.8 million even before New Year's Eve. Oh, here's a good quote:
"I don’t know if it was coincidental or not, with 9/11 and all, but 2001 was a real down year," said Casey Goeman, manager at Home Package Store on Skyland Boulevard in Tuscaloosa. "We saw a huge spike in sales in 2002."
Frankly, I'd think that people would drink more in troubled times. Here's another good bit:
Most people who come into Spirits on New Year’s Eve have never bought a bottle of champagne before, said Matthew Bologna, owner of the Northport liquor store. It’s an impulse buy more than anything else. They see others with champagne and feel left out.
Translation: They're college kids and they pick up a cheap bottle of "sparkling wine" to go with their 24-pack of Shaeffer's.
It’s one of those things that people feel they have to have on New Year’s Eve," Bologna said. “Like a Christmas tree for Christmas."
Or a passed-out parent lying under the dining room table for New Year's Day!
Posted by Mac Thomason at 04:18 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 17, 2003
Fun with zero tolerance
Teen suspended for taking Motrin
You've all heard this sort of story... A 15-year-old high school student suffering from menstrual cramps took a Motrin, was spotted by a teacher, and gets suspended and sent to "alternative school" for a month.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 08:33 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
December 03, 2003
And Now, a Paid Commercial Announcement from Bristol Myers Squibb
Are you an upper- or upper-middle-class American or United States resident? Do you feel remnant pangs of social conscience for supporting Republican politicians whose social views you find repugnant? Are your libertarian views on social matters in conflict with the party you feel obliged to support for reasons of your pocketbook? Ask your doctor about Republicen™.
Republicen™ is a new medication for liberal social conscience disorder. (Note: LSCD is not recognized as a disorder by the American Psychiatric Association.) With Republicen™, many wealthy Americans now find that they can support the party that will cut their taxes without worrying at all about its radical conservative views on social matters from abortion to separation of church and state to privacy rights. Just read these testimonials from satisfied Republicen™ users:
Glenn R., Law professor: Though I like to call myself a "libertarian" and complain repeatedly about the PATRIOT Act, thanks to Republicen™, I don't ever worry about my thinly veiled support for the Bush Administration and its war on civil liberties. Heh.
Andrew S., Homosexual/drug company shill: The Republican Party has been attacking gay men and women for years and now actually wants to amend the Constitution to deny gays the same rights as everyone else. But thanks to Republicen™, I have the requisite cognitive dissonance to ignore this. Not since Catholex™ has an anxiety drug been so welcome. (Note: use of Catholex and Republicen™ together may cause excess body hair growth.)
Republicen™ is covered by the new Medicare drug benefit. Ask your doctor if Republicen™ may be right for you.
Republicen™ is not recommended for nursing or pregnant mothers or African-Americans. Republicen™ may cause warmongering and/or sudden euphoria. Use of Republicen™ in combination with controlled substances such as illicit drugs may lead to terminal hypocrisy. A small percentage of Republicen™ users may find themselves voting Libertarian; if this results immediately cease taking the medication and consult a physician.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:06 PM | Comments (11) | TrackBack
October 14, 2003
Hey, look: federalism!
Supreme Court Rejects Anti - Marijuana Case
The Bush Administration's appeal (trying to defend a Clinton policy) was refused consideration. The federal government wanted to keep doctors from even talking to their patients about medicinal marijuana, part of the longtime effort to keep anyone from even imagining decriminalization, because the Demon Weed is far worse than, say, heroin.
They did take the pledge of allegiance "Under God" case. No word on St. Roy's Granite calf as yet.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 11, 2003
"Lab"?
The Miami Herald | 09/11/2003 | Police uncover marijuana lab in home
It's cannabis, guys, not a chemical. You don't have to synthesize it, just water it. The stuff will grow in your front yard if you aren't careful. Calling it a lab doesn't make it more than some hippie's spare room.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 04:30 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
August 14, 2003
Evil companies doing evil things
Canada Sues Tobacco Companies Over Taxes
Canada claims that the tobacco companies undertook a massive smuggling and fraud scheme, sneaking exported cigarettes back into Canada to avoid taxes, then claiming that the taxes fueled the black market. (Which, technically, I guess they did.) Canada is suing for $1 billion. I believe the Canadians simply because I believe the tobacco companies capable of anything.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 07:33 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 05, 2003
Drinks are on them!
The Miami Herald | 08/05/2003 | Judge: State cannot prosecute pilots accused of drunkenness
A Federal judge says that the state of Florida doesn't have jurisdiction over two pilots who took the controls of their jet after a night of heavy drinking. (They were stopped before the jet could take off because security guards smelled alcohol.) According to the judge, it's a Federal matter. They'll get off (well, they've been fired) since the Federal alcohol limit is .10 and they were below that.
At least they weren't armed, huh?
Posted by Mac Thomason at 04:08 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 23, 2003
Stupid Alligators!
Police find marijuana plants, alligators at Selma man's home
What's the point of having alligators (and poisonous snakes) if they can't even keep the cops away from your pot?
Okay, they were baby alligators. Which the cops released into the Alabama River. Which is not -- at least, not near Selma -- a regular habitat for alligators, though give the Bush EPA time and global warming will take care of that. Anyway, they might as well have made wallets out of the poor things, which are unlikely to survive.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 02:02 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 20, 2003
Smoked
washingtonpost.com: U.S. Backs Pact Curbing Tobacco Use Worldwide
Now, that really is a shock. After claiming that they were only concerned about the First Amendment (because the they're such big fans of free speech) the Bush Administration has backed down and decided to support a worldwide treaty aimed at lowering tobacco use. Nobody I know of actually believes that BS about free speech; for one thing, there's a provision saying that the ban on tobacco advertising is void in countries where it would be unconstitutional. It was purely an attempt to protect lucrative tobacco exports. I don't know what changed their minds. Tommy Thompson says that their concerns over constitutional protections are no longer a barrier, but won't say why, and the treaty doesn't seem to have changed.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 01:34 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Such a cliche
Ireland Plans Alcohol Marketing Crackdown
Amazingly, Ireland has "become" one of the hardest drinking countries in Europe. This is too easy to joke about. I need a challenge, for Christ's sake.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 08:38 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 10, 2003
Killing him smelly
ajc.com | The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Husband alleges wife killing him with smells
David Taylor, who sounds a bit of a flake but really does suffer from chemical sensitivity, says that his estranged wife was trying to kill him when she wore perfume, sprayed lysol and bug spray, burned scented candles, and loaded the house with "lavender scented sachets", whatever those are. He also says that she did this because he refused to give her half of his worker's comp award arising from the pollution at the county courthouse that led to his health problem. Sound like a fun couple.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 02:47 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
May 08, 2003
Otto Lives!
Man Tells Cops Someone Stole His Marijuana
Yes, he's a school bus driver.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:05 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 07, 2003
Weekend justice
Judge let DUI murder suspect serve jail time on weekends
Christopher Busby had been found guilty of DUIs four times. The fourth time, he was sentenced to nine months in jail. However, the judge (a) cut the sentence to 90 days, and (b) let Busby serve it all on weekends.
Busby killed a woman while driving drunk last week. Good one, your honor.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 11:36 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 04, 2003
Brown caffeinated fluids
ajc.com | Business | Coke keeps coffee secret close to home
Hey, soft drinks, coffee, what's the difference? Unless it's coffee brewed with Coca-Cola, in which case I wonder if it's legal for human consumption.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 01:51 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 29, 2003
Good
AP Wire | 04/29/2003 | Adolph Coors Profits Skid 97 Percent
Serves you right, you right-wing bastards.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:45 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 20, 2003
Tribute to Mickey Mantle?
SI.com - Baseball - Chicago fan apologizes for attacking umpire - Sunday April 20, 2003 02:14 PM
I know this is hard to believe, but he says he had been drinking all day. I know, I know, running out onto a baseball field in front of 30,000 spectators seems like something someone would only do while in full command of their faculties.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 04:40 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 19, 2003
Addicts, come to Alabama!
Cigarette tax near bottom in nation
If you move here, you can get cheap cigarettes to feed your addiction. For now. Those terrible legislators are thinking of raising cigarette taxes.
Anything that discourages smoking, I'm for. Tobacco smoke makes me throw up.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 02:13 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
April 16, 2003
Guilty!
Terry Brown struck an all-terrain vehicle on a highway in Mobile County, killing an 8-year-old boy who was a passenger. ATVs aren't supposed to be driven on the highway, of course. But you really aren't supposed to drink 13 beers before going out for a drive.
Assistant District Attorney Ashley Rich... asked him to repeat what he had just admitted under oath, that he drank 13 beers before the crash."Yes, Ma'am," Brown replied, he had.
"And you chose to drive?"
"Yes, Ma'am," he answered.
"I have no further questions," she told Circuit Judge William McDermott.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 11:07 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 18, 2003
Creep
washingtonpost.com: Tractor Standoff Continues
This tobacco farmer has the audacity to claim that "unfair government practices" are forcing him out of business. What are these unfair practices? They cut subsidies. In other words, he's not getting as big a chunk of everyone's tax dollars as he used to for growing plants that are processed into cigarettes, which kill hundreds of thousands every year. He sould be glad he isn't in jail with the people who produce much less harmful drugs.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 03:47 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 07, 2003
As long as you don't put your couch outdoors
City Council requests local referendum on Sunday alcohol sales
The Tuscaloosa City Council recently cut the hours bars can remain open. Now they're talking about a proposal to let voters decide to allow Sunday liquor sales. I'm getting mixed signals.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 08:13 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 05, 2003
Someone clean up all the twinkie wrappers!
Pro-Marijuana Group Sponsors Road Cleanup
Hey, if the Klan can adopt a highway, why not NORML? A chapter in Michigan is cleaning a stretch of highway in a Detroit suburb.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:27 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 26, 2003
NyQuil is not for kids
Cough Syrup Cited in Two Colorado Deaths
A father is charged with felony child abuse for the deaths of his two children after he gave them adult cherry cough syrup. Their mother is a nurse; I guess that sort of thing doesn't rub off.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 11:16 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
February 14, 2003
Party time!
Mardi Gras set to roll tonight
Want to go to Mardi Gras, but afraid that if you went to New Orleans you'd wind up robbed of all your possessions and left on the street to die while a parade marches over your prostrate form? Well, who wouldn't! In that case, go to Mobile's Mardi Gras, which interestingly enough is older than New Orleans'.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:24 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 09, 2003
Another victory in the drug war
Teenager busted for marijuana gets 26-year sentence
Webster Alexander sold $350 worth of pot to an undercover police officer; the court decided to make an example of him. It was his first offense. Amazingly, he's white.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 04:10 PM | Comments (0)
February 06, 2003
A religious experience
Raid leads to arrest of man rolling marijuana cigarettes with Bible pages
I don't know that it's a good use of police time to drag in some guy who has "two small bags of marijuana". But that's just bad form, really.
It's not said what version of the Bible he used. King James is my guess. They're usually cheaper and they have those thin pages.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:20 PM | Comments (4)
February 05, 2003
Boycotted if you do, boycotted if you don't
ajc.com | Business | Hip-hop icon organizing Pepsi boycott
Russell Simmons wants to boycott Pepsi because they dropped "Ludacris" as a spokesman in favor of Ozzy Osbourne. He says there's a double standard. Pepsi made the move apparently because Bill O'Reilly was planning a boycott if they used "Ludacris". O'Reilly is a jackass, of course, but then so is Simmons.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:15 AM | Comments (4)
January 30, 2003
Zero tolerance sense
Third-grader suspended for taking vitamin at school
For five days. School officials say that they're afraid another student who's allergic could have taken it, which makes no sense because the kid swallowed it. Really, he's a hero! He took the pill which could have made another kid sick!
Or maybe they're just stupid. Ritalin forever, vitamins never!
Posted by Mac Thomason at 01:16 PM | Comments (3)
January 28, 2003
My elected representatives
They don't do anything about the potholes, but hey, the City Council is cracking down on bars that stay open after 1 AM. Both of them! This is just dumb.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 08:58 AM | Comments (0)
January 27, 2003
More babysitter problems
Meth lab bust: Five arrested, 3-month-old baby at scene
I'm just saying that before you make plans go to the lab to manufacture methamphetamine, be sure you can find a sitter. It's no place for a baby.
Across from a church and a school, too.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 11:59 AM | Comments (2)
January 26, 2003
I believe them
Nicotine - Reduced Cigarettes Reach Market
You think these are actually reduced-nicotine, or are they simply cigarettes without any added nicotine? Can you tell what I think of tobacco companies?
Posted by Mac Thomason at 02:16 PM | Comments (1)
January 14, 2003
Oh, brave new world
CNN.com - Kids on psychiatric drugs surges - Jan. 14, 2003
Yeah, I've noticed that. When I was in sixth grade, I was (I believe) the only kid in my class on ritalin. (Yeah, you're all surprised that I was on ritalin, I'm sure.) I doubt that would happen today. I remember being shocked a few months ago reading that a middle school had its own dispensary for the various pills the kids were on.
We'll all be on Prozac in a few years. It's for The Children, really.
That headline makes no sense, by the way. Maybe the writer should be on ritalin.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 04:20 PM | Comments (0)
January 13, 2003
Really?
Sunday beer sales still news to many
"Why didn't anyone tell us about this? Honey, let's skip church to go to the liquor store!"
Posted by Mac Thomason at 03:18 PM | Comments (1)
January 09, 2003
Talking 'bout my medication
My doctor, in the ongoing effort to replace all my blood with chemicals, has prescribed a new drug. My favorite part is all the side effects. The following may come under "Too Much Information":
Upset stomach, constipation, headache, dizziness or trouble sleeping may occur... Report promptly: muscle pain, tenderness, weakness, fever. Very unlikely but report promptly: decreased sexual drive, yellowing eyes or skin, stomach pain... Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing.
Needless to say, I'm excited.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 02:40 PM | Comments (3)
January 08, 2003
This is a terrible mistake
Bar-closing law now up to City Council
The University of Alabama is pressuring the Tuscaloosa City Council to limit the hours bars can be open. Oddly, the Chamber of Commerce decided to back the University, which probably came as a shock to the bars that belong to the Chamber. (I think it might be an under-the-table deal to get the University to back off another proposal to require freshmen to live on campus, which would devastate rental companies.) The City Council is considering the proposal now.
The University is concerned about its reputation as a party school. As I've said before, this is a mistake. They need to use that reputation. Let's face it, Alabama isn't going to become a go-to school for research or instruction. They've floated by on football for a long time, but with the NCAA sanctions that's not going to be possible. UA needs to embrace its party school image. If you can't get them to come for the faculty or the facilies, come for the festivities!
Mac Thomason, UA '93.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:22 AM | Comments (0)
January 01, 2003
Booze!
ajc.com | News | Binge drinking up 25% since 1993
I'd like to point out for the benefit of the University of Alabama ("We're not a party school! Stop saying that!) that most binge drinkers are over 25.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 04:55 AM | Comments (0)
December 11, 2002
More fun from the drug war
Third-graders charged with marijuana possession in Florida
"No word on where they allegedly got the marijuana, but officials suspect it was from an adult."
I should point out that this occured in Port St. Lucie, FL, where the New York Mets -- official baseball team of High Times Magazine -- have spring training camp.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:58 AM | Comments (2)
Merry Christmas!
4-Year-Old Brings Marijuana to Teacher
As a gift! She says she got it from her mommy! Enjoy Christmas in the group home, kid!
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:21 AM | Comments (1)
December 04, 2002
Not actually ironic
Meth lab raid nets four suspects
The lab was in the town of "Coker". That's their problem, they're producing the wrong drug.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 08:35 AM | Comments (0)
December 03, 2002
This too is news?
Whitney Houston admits drug use in the past
Not Whitney! She always seemed so normal!
When Sawyer asks her, "Is it alcohol? Is it marijuana? Is it cocaine? Is it pills?" Houston responds, "It has been at times.""All?" Sawyer asks.
"At times," Houston says. "Uh-hm."
The 39-year-old concedes she's "addicted to a few things."
How many things? Meanwhile, Bobby Brown says he's bipolar and he self-medicates with pot. They're a fun couple.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:37 PM | Comments (1)
November 27, 2002
Another dangerous criminal punished
Man gets life term over 3 lbs. of mailed marijuana
Let's reiterate. Selling your grandson to a pederast on numerous occasions gets you five years. Mailing three pounds of a natually occuring substance gets you life, though Joseph Hart will be eligible for parole in only ten years. I think we can all agree that this is a fair system.
Considering Hart's bail was only $5000, he has to be kicking himself for not running for it.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 01:01 PM | Comments (4)
November 13, 2002
Gimme another, I can handle it
Britain Seeks to Curb Binge - Drinking
So they're deporting all the Scots!
No, no, I'm kidding. I'm allowed, I'm mostly Scottish. Actually, the Blair government has decided to allow pubs to stay open later so instead of trying to drink all the liquor they can at 11 PM drunks will be allowed to stay and drink themselves into unconciousness until bartenders dump them on the streets.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 03:20 PM | Comments (1)