Today’s Idiots: Auschwitz Sign Stealers

"Work Makes (You) Free", the iconic sign above the entrance to Auschwitz was stolen earlier today.

For over a million people, mostly Jews, it was the closest thing to a gravestone they would receive. For four years, it mockingly arched the entry to Auschwitz, the most perfect killing center the twisted mind of man ever devised, promising that hard work would procure freedom. In a backhanded way, the sign didn’t actually lie, because hard work (“hard work” here meaning much the same as calling a tornado a “stiff breeze”) would actually liberate many of the inmates of the camp. It would liberate them from life itself. The wrought iron arch served as a grim reminder of the depths of depravity the human mind is capable of sinking towards. It stood as mute testimony of a time when reason abandoned the world at the whim of a madman.

Now, it is gone. The sign was stolen by a person or persons unknown in the early hours of December 18, 2009. We can only speculate at the motive. Perhaps a band of cowardly, puke stained neo-Nazis sauced after a night in the cups decided to take down a hated symbol of their god’s failure. Maybe some enterprising entrepreneur saw a chance to make a quick buck on the black market. After all, some people will buy anything and the more infamous, the better.

In any event, the act is tantamount to grave robbery. That sign is more than just a 90 pound piece of pig iron. It is memory. How many frightened, destitute people walked beneath that hideous arch of metal and sighed with relief thinking that if they just worked hard, they could survive this nightmare? They were mislead, of course, which was all part of the careful Nazi planning. Now the symbol of so much suffering is gone. Heads of state and religious leaders alike are calling for the sign’s immediate return, but I wouldn’t be hopeful. The lowest circle of Hell is reserved for neo-Nazis and Holocaust deniers and it seems this merry band of idiots is destined to join that infamous band.

Today’s Idiot: Lowell M. Maxham Elementary School

This infamous drawing that resulted in a 2nd grader's suspension and psychiatric evaluation.

A young child goes to see a Christmas program at a Catholic church. The lights and pageantry make a great impression on the young boy. He goes to school a few days after his adventure and, lo and behold, his teacher asks him to draw a picture representative of Christmas.

At this point, most children his age would have drawn Santas or candy canes or perhaps a Christmas tree. This lad, however, through either vivid memory or precocious piety, drew a childish stick figure crucifix. After all, political correctness aside, the holiday is called CHRISTmas.

The child’s teacher takes a look at his drawing . . . and flips. The child’s drawing is declared violent and the boy is suspended pending a psychiatric evaluation to be done at his family’s expense. The child meets with the analyst who finds him just a perfectly normal young boy who knows the story of Jesus and Christmas.

So the child gets to go back to school, but now he is being ostracized by his classmates because he must be different. His father is livid and wants an apology and for his son to be assigned to a new school. So far, that is pending. The AP has the entire story.

So what kind of a world are we living in now? A second grader becomes an object of terror because of a religious drawing. My biggest question in the whole sad story is why didn’t the teacher, or the principal, or a guidance counselor or SOMEONE just ask the child what the drawing meant. No one asked those questions and by the time anyone thought to start questioning the boy, he began to sense that he must have done something wrong so he goes into damage control mode.

This is a horrible example of political correctness or zero tolerance or just plain ignorance run amok. It’s sad and I agree with the mayor of Taunton in calling for a public apology to the family AND for developing a policy to insure such stupidity doesn’t occur again.

Today’s Idiot: Tiger Woods

One affair is a mistake, two is a habit, but FOUR? C'mon, Tiger!

Right from the start let me say that I LIKE Tiger Woods. He’s easily the greatest golfer of my generation and has made a pretty solid case for being the best on the links ever. He’s a bit of a showboat, but I defer to Dizzy Dean who said, “It ain’t braggin’ if you can do it.” Another thing that set Tiger apart until recently is the absolute secrecy with which he conducted his private life. The golf course was business and his beautiful wife and family were personal. He did an admirable job of protecting them from the prying paparazzi.

All that is shot to hell now with the revelation that Tiger has been quite the busy little golfer. Unfortunately, it seems he hasn’t only been putting his balls in holes on the golf courses. As it stands, he has four confirmed mistresses and at least one or two more who are likely candidates.

It’s understandable that a man in spotlight like Tiger with all his fortune and fame will be extremely attractive to a certain type of woman who has no qualms about bumping uglies with a family man. Still, it’s up to Tiger to control himself. His wife is gorgeous. His child is beautiful and much to young to be without her father.

Hopefully, now that this is all out in the open, Tiger will find some way to mend his ways IF his wife will let him. If she doesn’t? Well, I’ve heard rumors that Tiger didn’t make her sign a prenup. If that’s truly the case, Tiger might need to play a LOT more golf!

Tiger, you are a phenomenal golfer, but this horrible indiscretion of yours makes you look like a par 5 idiot!