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Snake In The Grass Indeed

For a Charlotte woman and her toddler last week, a walk in the park was no walk in the park. Instead, a 4-foot-long python emerged from the grass, coiled around the 15-month-old's leg and bit him.

Fortunately, the toddler suffered minor injuries. But how in the world does a python wind up in a park in the first place?

It probably was abandoned. Dogs and cats aren't the only animals callous pet owners discard.

Consider the Guilford County Animal Shelter. Executive Director Marsha Williams says the shelter has taken in abandoned boa constrictors, alligators, crocodiles, vultures, deer, pigs, goats, cows, horses, donkeys, llamas, chinchillas, bobcats, ducks, chickens, iguanas, chameleons, rats and flying squirrels.

It appears we don't discriminate in our ability to own -- and then promptly disown -- all creatures, great and small.

Taking Ownership Of Our Youth

In a sweeping effort to enlist community involvement, a grass-roots coalition will hold a series of breakfasts this week to address the problems facing young African American males.

Why African American males?

Because they are among our most vulnerable young people, more prone to underachieve in school, more apt to be suspended or expelled from the classroom and more likely, statistically, to go to jail than to college.

"We need to stop viewing young people as a burden," school board Vice Chairman Amos Quick, a leader of the initiative, said last week.

The community breakfasts are precursors to a Sept. 22 summit on the success of African American male students. A mentoring program, called Merchants of Hope, will follow.

The whole county should mobilize and take ownership of this issue because it is not just an African American problem. It belongs to all of us.

Black's Shenanigans Prove Costly

Jim Black uttered a million-dollar truth in Wake County Superior Court last week: "You and I know there are all kinds of shenanigans that go on in money and politics," he told District Attorney Colon Willoughby.

No one knows better than Black, a master of mixing money and politics during his eight years as speaker of the state House. Willoughby was probing for an explanation of a $500,000 interest-free unsecured loan Black received from a lobbyist for the video-poker industry.

Judge Donald Stephens answered Black's shenanigans with a fine appropriate to the crimes: $1 million.

New Hues For Hatefulness?

In a new twist on old prejudices, black kids and white kids are making life miserable for Latinos, police say, especially in our schools. "It's black and white against brown," said Detective Ernest Cuthbertson, who specializes in youth gangs for the police department.

Guilford Schools Superintendent Terry Grier says he is aware of the new challenges and cites sensitivity training -- which some people deride as political correctness -- as one solution.

Whatever works, let's do it. The last thing this community needs is new objects for our disaffection.

Tempest In A Teapot

It looks like the controversial Sparta Teapot Museum may be history before the first cup is poured. The Winston-Salem Journal reports that the Los Angeles millionaire whose vast teapot collection was to be displayed may pull out because local organizers have scaled back plans for the project.

That could mean the loss of about $1 million in public money earmarked for the museum that promoters hoped would draw thousands of tourists off the Blue Ridge Parkway to Alleghany County.

So far, backers have had more luck wangling funds, including a $400,000 state grant, than convincing a skeptical public that if you build it they will come.

Now's a good time to take a closer look and consider spending tax dollars on a more sensible venture.