(*Laugh a little bit causing the cat to look)

A fine, fresh example of feature writing from a friend:

The photos are at the heart of a scandal that has rocked McKinney, an affluent bedroom community north of Dallas. By many accounts, the group of cheerleaders, known as the "Fab Five," were out of control—an elite social clique that flagrantly flouted school rules but faced few sanctions.

For sure!

Also provides me a good excuse to write about something I wanted to from last month. Here you go, straight from the learnal.

I finally read The New York Times story about Michael Richards and the Laugh Factory instituting a rule where if you say the n-word you get banned for four to six months and possibly fined. The story also employed the unfortunate device of talking about how an impromptu town hall has arisen as a result of the incident.

Could we also institute a fine every time the phrase "town hall" is used? It could be done in an impromptu manner.

The language reminds me of this one writer I used to work with years ago who was a feisty little whippersnapper with all the old newspaper men wrapped around her finger. She also provided what is perhaps my all-time favorite correction ever. It came from a heart-tugging, "Eleanor Rigby"-inspired piece about all the lonely people spending Thanksgivings anywhere but home. In the story, several non-sourced people were provided as color, including a wonderfully tragic figure playing Blackjack at a casino. Oh. So poignant. Father McKenzie darning the socks, etc.

The correction? Said casino does not offer Blackjack. We regret the error.

But yeah Lil Fiesty also had this amazing habit of never referring to a small town or city.

They were always burgs. Lonely, lore-filled burgs. And you know what? Betcha impromptu town halls sprung up there all the time.

Lucky.