Off the Editor’s Spike by Darryl Wilkinson
This website brought to you in part by the following sponsor:
Find out how to advertise here - Email us! [email protected]
Off the Editor’s Spike by Darryl Wilkinson
It saddens me to think about the troubles within the Catholic church making headlines right now. I believe leaders should be held accountable, especially those to a higher calling. The criminal activity of pedophiles serving as priests, as bad as that is, offers a chance for the church to set an example. Instead, decisions simply reflect what commonly happens elsewhere.
What happens in our public schools? Take a teacher who is caught making porno videos with one of his students. Sometimes, rather than prosecute with the juvenile’s welfare at risk not to mention the expense and bad publicity, the decision is simply to move the guy on down the road – with who knows what, if any, blemish showing on his written resume. Or what about the coach who has an affair with a student and loses his job at one school, then shuffles on down the road to another school where, surprise, he has another affair with another student …and is shuffled on down the road…
What about in business? Take the employee caught stealing. Often rather than prosecute the employment is simply terminated by mutual agreement, leaving explanations to feed the rumor mills. And, of course, the thief looks for another job on down the road, probably to become someone else’s problem.
Yes, there is a difference between petty thieving and violating a parent’s trust when discovering that a priest is a pedophile. When crime occurs, there should be prosecution and justice. But I question how judgmental we should be, how quick we should condemn the Catholic church. It’s true that whenever you point the finger, three fingers really do point back at you.
If shuffling the abusive priest from parish to parish to hide a serious problem is unacceptable, why do we accept such a practice in other walks of life? Isn’t this the real issue of interest — more so than the titillating noise about priesthood celibacy and homosexuality, and questioning the worldwide moral authority of the Pope?
****
Best idea of the week: mushroom sniffing hunting dogs. I know this sounds too good to be true, but why not? Morels have a scent so it’s just a matter of proper training. A guy could make a fortune!
Advanced training could have dogs change their baying so that a guy would know if he’s coming upon a single morsel or a cluster. Maybe the dogs could even be trained to retrieve and drop their treasure in a pot of soaking water — and later roll the tasty ‘rels in batter …even bark once when its time to flip ‘em over in the skillet and twice when they’re done.
Yes, this is true inspiration: Morel Muts. I’ve got it all figured out, except for picking the breed. A taller dog might have the better angle to scan the ground and catch the scent from a breeze. On the other hand, the shorter the better — no excuses for walking right past any morel hiding in the leaves. (And to think my wife still wonders if I’m ever going to make good on that million dollar promise before my judgment day).