Heard on WNYC: "Marry Your Baby-Daddy Day"

Seriously. I didn't note exactly where this was being held--it was somewhere in New York City--but someone had organized "Marry Your Baby-Daddy Day" for members of the black community who had made a baby or babies but weren't married. I suppose it's better than their not being married, but I also feel like it's a little late now. It certainly isn't going to increase their commitment, based on current divorce rates, but I suppose it's a nice enough idea.

Interestingly enough (although I suppose it's a coincidence), this WNYC story was soon followed by former US Education Secretary William Bennett's fascinating take on crime prevention. The dumbass actually said, "If you wanted to reduce crime, you could -- if that were your sole purpose -- you could abort every black baby in this country and your crime rate would go down . . . That would be an impossibly ridiculous and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate would go down." When given an opportunity to back away from the statement, he apparently declined to do so. Amazing that someone who served under two Presidents (Reagan and Bush the First) has so little political sense. Even if he's a bigot, he should have the sense to keep it to himself. Hell, even if you can say the black community commits more crime per capita, it's still a stupid thing to say! As if all of those babies are destined to be criminals! What a moron! On the other hand, he's apparently a Fox News contributor, too, and this does fit with their level of work.

On a lighter note, there was an article on the late Truman Capote in today's New York Times. The article included the source of the name of Capote's story (later a movie), Breakfast at Tiffany's: the title "came from a story Capote heard about a one-night stand between a middle-aged man and an unsophisticated marine. The couple woke up Sunday morning, when the stores were closed, and the older man, in frustrated gratitude, could offer the marine only breakfast. 'Pick the fanciest, most expensive place in town,' the older man said. The marine picked the only expensive place he knew. 'Let's,' he said, 'have breakfast at Tiffany's.'"

One other interesting thing today. During my commute, I've been listening to the audiobook of Charles Kuralt's America. Mr. Kuralt wrote this book in the last couple of years of his life. I felt sad in thinking that he was only 62 years old when he died, but I was comforted by the thought of what a full life he had. How many of us will live lives like his? Anyhow, the interesting thing...

The book took Mr. Kuralt to his twelve favorite places, from the East Coast to Alaska, and from New England to the Deep South. He started in New Orleans, and that was hard to listen to. Today, I reached the end of the book. He finished in New York City. Not just in the city. His last chapter included a favorite restaurant that is on the same street as my office. It made me feel more of a connection to this special American.

So that brings the work week to an end. Tomorrow: the Gotham Knights play the NYPD rugby team. We're going, and this should be interesting! :)