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Overnight Open Thread – (genghis)

Here at the ONT we don’t generally indulge ourselves in sentimental or Oprah-like moments (being the crass, drunken, unwashed freaks that we are) but tonight I’d like to pay a brief tribute to a hero. That’s a term that gets thrown around way too often these days and applied to people who don’t merit the distinction (pro athletes, me, entertainers, me etc. Did I mention me?). All screwing around aside though, I think here’s a guy who truly deserves that title. Here’s the first couple of paragraphs but you should read the whole thing. It not long and won’t strain your attention span too much.

”KELSO, Wash. (AP) - Allen Heck has been hailed a hero since running into the Cowlitz River last week to save a 9-year-old girl, losing his own life in the process. Unknown by most is that Heck was an extremely ill young homeless man with the simple goal of living to his 21st birthday. The 20-year-old Longview man had drifted for about three years after diabetes barred him from the only job he ever wanted - serving in the Army. Directionless, he made some bad decisions, family and friends admit, and was living at the Community House shelter at the time of the drowning.”

I can’t quite put my finger on it (and I don’t want to get into a lengthy discussion concerning theological questions…you can if you want), but there seems to be an underlying story here about redemption along with the fact that even what could be considered a failure of a life ended up making all the difference in the world on one hot summer day at a swimming hole.

But if you need some lighter fare, here’s a couple of stories that might keep you entertained (below the fold)

Item 1: I meant to post this a couple of weeks back but forgot I’d bookmarked it: Athlete Turns to Brothel to Fund Olympic Bid. Well who hasn’t?

Logan Campbell, who finished in the top 16 in the taekwondo featherweight division at the Beijing Olympics, has set up a 'high-class gentleman's club' in Auckland, the Sunday Star Times said. Campbell's Beijing campaign cost about $NZ 150,000 ($121,000), most of which came from his parents, and he says he set up the brothel because he was sick of relying on their help. Licensed prostitution is legal in New Zealand.

The nation’s Olympic selection committee is not amused, but New Zealand has bigger concerns these days, such as a recent 6.8 quake which allegedly moved the island 1 foot in some direction. Neighboring Australia was of course unimpressed as usual considering that not too long ago the nation/continent went on an all night bender and woke up in the North Atlantic. (Is there actually an original Zealand that the place was named after? Or are they just making shit up again?)

Item #2: You’ve already had enough items for one night, but might as well remind you that Max Motors, somewhere in Missouri that I’m too lazy to look up, is putting on their yearly Buy a Car Get an AK-47 sales event. Well, that’s appreciated and all, but times are a little tougher this year. Any chance you guys can sweeten the deal? Maybe offer us one of these? (Which is also our sponsor this fine evening) Throw in the underbody rust coating and maybe we have a deal.

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