Idiots walk among us

There are idiots in Texas.

That’s not harsh, just truthful. But the statement doesn’t take into account there are also idiots in other states.

Arkansas. Mississippi. New York, Arizona. Pick one, pick ‘em all. Pick any one of the other 46 states.

Idiocy has nothing to do with Intelligence Quotient, geographical location, basic political or religious affiliation, gender, or sexual orientation.

A link to idiocy (or idiotic actions, at least) can be made through alcohol or drug consumption, wired-in or manufactured prejudices, brainwashing, fanaticism in most any mental arena … or attendance at rassling matches and the belief the action is real.

It is a truism that examples of idiocy can be observed in any statements or actions by politicians in Washington-on-the-Deficit, and any person who desires to become one of those twisted gomers.

But, for now at least, Texas holds the Idiocy Crown.

Blame it on stupid rules and those that interpret those rules.

A third-grader in Brazos Elementary School in Orchard was given a week’s detention for possession ... of a Jolly Rancher.

Say it ain’t so!

It’s so. Leighann Adair, 10, was eating lunch when a teacher confiscated a Jolly Rancher (flavor unspecified) from her lunch tray. The superintendent for the district – Jack “No Candy in My School, Dagnabbit!” Ellis – stated that the district was abiding by state guidelines that banned “minimal nutrition” foods.

Ellis is an idiot -- one, for believing the State of Texas, in passing a law about the importance of nutrition meant that elementary school kids were to be punished for having a piece of candy were to be punished, and, two, for making such as asinine statement to justify an idiot-based action.

The Texas Public School Nutrition Policy website specifically states the policy does not restrict what foods/beverages parents may provide for their own children’s consumption.

Brazos school’s principal Jeanne Young said the problem was that another student provided Leighann the candy. Wow! Orchard has an idiot-in-waiting backing up the superintendent.

An elementary school principle friend in Texas when told about this incident, said: “Are you serious?” The titled school marm then said, “We use candy for counting exercises. It’s a great motivator. M&Ms are good…but, oh, those Hersey Kisses, those are the best.”

She refused to acknowledge whether or not the teachers “might” eat mistakes in the exercise.

There is no level in our society where common sense does not get lost in protocol, rules and misinterpretation or miscommunication.

But when people make stupid mistakes and try to explain them away rather than saying, “That was just dumb and I promise never to do it again,” it moves into the realm of idiocy.

Which brings up Common Sense Rule No. 114: Ignorance you can do something about. Stupidity goes straight to the bone.