You’ve gotta be kidding

Monday, July 13, 2009

I don't know who is in charge of classifying stories at the San Jose Mercury News, but they're in need of a little common sense and sensitivity.
Their new "You've Gotta Be Kidding" section of weird news contains these stories today:

Toy-gun robber foiled by bat-wielding store worker in Alabama
BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Authorities in south Alabama say a gas station employee used a cricket bat to chase away a would-be robber who brandished a toy gun.

- Cops say bank robber flagged down undercover officer to escape
- West Virginia woman wins 9th lottery prize; five with instant tickets
- Researchers looking for 3-foot, spitting worm under Northwest fields
- Lust leads to drug bust
- Prankster uses gas leak ruse to get couple to trash their hotel room
- Southern California woman accused of biting off teen's finger
- Orchestra plays live 'Lone Ranger' theme song at English horse race
- 2-year-old Pennsylvania toddler hides so well, police called to seek her
- Connecticut cops: Man went naked to dental appointment

Okay, some of these are a little wacky. But here's the problem: they also include these stories as worthy of a chuckle:

- Los Angeles man shot dead the day before 20th anniversary of dad's murder
- Body of high-rise cleaning woman found bound and gagged with gold crucifix taped to mouth
- Cops: Cleaning woman who vanished from high-rise office may be in the trash
- Fundraiser says university officials tried to make her a sexual 'plaything' for big donors
- Idaho woman accused of having sex with 14-year-old she was hired to watch
- Cops: For years man confined stepson to bedroom for sex
- Man dies after falling into vat of chocolate in New Jersey

I don't know about you, but I don't really think murder and sexual abuse are subjects to laugh about.

---