Sigh.

I usually keep away from news reports of murders, accidents, robberies and the like. I regard them as little more than gossip. However, the report of the 19-year-old man who put his two-month-old baby girl in a microwave was just too grotesque, especially after slothel pointed out that his wife maintains that Satan compelled him to harm their daughter to prevent him from seeking to become a minister.

And that's when I become aware again of just how much crap is in the world.

I agree with lots of people in this country that the public schools should define their role in society as narrowly as possible, focusing on academics and providing opportunities for home economics, arts and sports. But my position assumes that the families are holding up their end of the bargain and that's obviously not the case.

Bad enough that these kids are parents at this age. But for this girl to blame Satan rather than accept that her husband lost his cool... I just can't put it into words.

Part of me feels that we're never going to repair our society until we confront the necessity of stepping in where parents are failing their children, although I hate the idea of the government in such a role. But to have these crippled children having kids of their own gives me the willies.