Tim Ellsworth

Have a good weekend.

An Oregon man almost died after trying to impress his ex-girlfriend by putting a rattlesnake in his mouth. Watch the video report.

Interesting question at CBS Sportsline: One year later, which of the three QBs would you draft first, Matt Leinart, Vince Young or Jay Cutler?

Anybody else seen this movie? It came out on DVD this week. I saw it in the theater, but then purchased it on pay-per-view and watched it again last night. Simply outstanding, and it’s quickly climbing my list of favorite movies.

From the Chicago Tribune:

In a study illustrating the potential downside of prenatal genetic testing, researchers reported Tuesday that 25 percent of couples whose unborn babies had a certain genetic mutation chose to terminate their pregnancies—even though that particular abnormality probably would not have resulted in serious health problems.

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch a few days ago:

A vegan middle school teacher says he’s not going back to class until the school stops serving milk and meat.

Dave Warwak, 44, has been a teacher at Fox River Grove Middle School in McHenry County for eight years. He became a vegan in January and believes the school is “feeding poison” to students. He also believes the school’s posters featuring milk are wrong.

Warwak says he won’t return until the posters are removed. He’s looked into filing child-endangerment charges because he claims it’s wrong to promote animal products as part of healthy diet.

If I’m the principal, I’m telling Mr. Warwak that his services are no longer needed. What a nut job.

Interesting story about how poorly college students performed on a civics test. Students at Harvard scored the highest, but still didn’t crack 70 percent. Take the test yourself and see how you fare.

Some sports figures to respect
MLB announces Miller Award finalists
Mobile softball players qualify for Olympics
Union’s Rop wins Commodore Classic
OBU’s Morrow named SAC’s player of the week
Locke: The latest Dagon

Here’s a curious story about John McCain, who says he is a Baptist and has been for years.

Campaigning in this conservative, predominantly Baptist state, McCain called himself a Baptist when speaking to reporters Sunday and noted that he and his family have been members of the North Phoenix Baptist Church in his home state of Arizona for more than 15 years.

“It’s well known because I’m an active member of the church,” the Arizona senator said.

And yet McCain goes on to say that while his family members have been baptized, he hasn’t been.

Huh? As Goober from the Andy Griffith Show was wont to reply: Say it again.

How is he a member of a Baptist church without being baptized? And why has he referred to himself repeatedly as an Episcopalian?

Ah, the things politicians will say on the political campaign trail.

As my friend geno said to me, “Wow! I’m French! I was told that I didn’t need to have been born there or be sworn in as a citizen. As long as I think I am, it must be true!”

Hat tip: geno

Maybe you’ve seen the “Leave Britney alone” video making the rounds. I’m not linking to it because it’s got some profanity in it, but if you want to see it you’ll find it on YouTube without too much trouble.

Here’s a Bill Belichick version of the video that’s hilarious.

Hat tip: Giddy Chicago fan who should know better than to be excited about the Cubs in September

Have a good weekend.

I’ve noticed with increasing frequency a fashion trend that alarms me.

Now, even with that first sentence, all kinds of possibilities probably come to your mind. Is he talking about low-cut blouses? Baggy jeans? Tight pants? Chicago Cubs T-shirts?

No, none of those.

I realize that I’m probably greatly outnumbered by people who don’t share my opinion, so go ahead and lambast me after you’re done reading.

I’m talking about men and flip flops.

They’re everywhere. At church last night, way too many guys were wearing flip flops. And I don’t think this is a trend that’s isolated to my church.

For women, flip flops are fine. Women have nice feet. They’re colorful and smooth and delicate. Women keep their toenails trimmed neatly. Sometimes they wear those cute little toe rings. In general, women’s feet are reasonably attractive.

But guys, let’s face it. Our feet are not that way. Our feet are hairy and callousy. They’re full of ugly, bulging veins. They stink. Looking around last night, I also saw a lot of torn toenails that made me cringe.

Men, I realize flip flops may be comfortable, but nobody wants to see your feet. Do everyone a favor, wear shoes and keep those hideous hooves covered up.

Albert Mohler has posted some thoughts on the reading of books. Good stuff here.

How do you approach your reading? Do you have any kind of system or routine?

I probably need to be more systematic in my reading, because most of the time there’s no rhyme or reason to it. I typically read what I’m in the mood to read.

I just finished “While Europe Slept: How Radical Islam is Destroying the West from Within,” by Bruce Bawer. I highly recommend it, but it’ll scare the snot out of you. He shows how many European countries are so sold out to political correctness and so intimidated by Muslims that they’re allowing radical Muslims to take over their countries. It’s too bad Europe didn’t learn anything from World War II.

I’m getting ready to start Tony Dungy’s book and Steve Weaver’s new book on Hercules Collins.

Interesting article by Tim Challies about men and their relationships with other people’s children. He asks four questions:

1. Would you leave your children with male babysitters?

2. Would you allow your teenage boy to babysit other children?

3. Are you immediately hesitant or nervous when a man shows friendly interest in your children?

4. For the men: if you saw a child standing alone and crying in the mall, would you stop to help the child?

I’d be interested to get your responses as well.