The Decline and Fall of Western Civ. for 22 Aug

OPEN THREAD DISCUSSION

• A Kentucky middle school teacher burns U.S. flags in class during a lesson on freedom of speech causing a local uproar, reports the Courier-Journal. The teacher has been temporarily reassigned to non-instructional duties pending a district investigation.

• Two live diamondback rattlesnakes were released in an Arizona movie theater during a showing of the new film "Snakes on a Plane," according to Local 6 News.

• Arthur Brooks, a professor at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Public Affairs, writes in the Wall Street Journal that liberals have a big baby problem: They're not having enough of them to replace the liberal rank and file.*

• Bob Dylan says something we already know, modern recordings are "atrocious," reports Reuters.

• When Osama bin Laden isn't plotting to destroy America he's apparently lusting after Whitney Houston according to AP.

• The Washington Times reports that hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons will be the host of a campaign fundraiser Thursday for Maryland Lt. Gov, Republican Michael S. Steele's run for U.S. Senate.

• Rap music blamed for teen pregnancy, according to the Daily Mail. No telling what liberals listen to when trying not to reproduce. (See * above.)

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