Bad Pet Day – Jamie Kerr brought his 10-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever in to the vet for a routine shot, but due to some confusion at the office, the vet accidentally sent him to doggie heaven. To compound the tragedy, when Kerr arrived home he found his cat had been run over on the road that same night.

Confessions of a Flash Addict This should be required reading for all web developers these days. Over use of Flash is the bane of the Internet’s existence. (via)

We, the undersigned – With over four million already infected with HIV, South Africa has the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world. Very few can afford the treatment that has extended and improved the lives of people in richer countries. Since 1998, the pharmaceutical industry has blocked the medicines legislation – legislation that could make essential medicines more affordable and accessible to South Africa’s people through homegrown development and cheaper import sources – the 39 pharmaceutical companies involved in the case are claiming that this legislation would infringe on their patent rights. To support the government and the people of South Africa, you can sign this petition urging the companies to drop their case.

Humiliation as punishment – 11-year old Kendrick Taylor learned a lesson he won’t forget anytime soon after he stole a couple of bucks from his mother’s purse. As punishment, Kendrick’s parents made him stand on the grass in front of his family’s home with a sign around his neck that read, “I am a thief, I steal from my parents.” According to the parents, many of the passersby stopped to tell them they thought the punishment was a good idea, but they also realize that others might have a different opinion. “It’s not child abuse. He’s not being mistreated, just humiliated.”

School Shootings and White Denial – Tim Wise writes about why white people need to pull our heads out of our collective ass. Akilah Monifa writes about the response to the article.

I’ve been quoted over at Stickybuffalo. It’s some of my comments about this article and the whole RecordLabelsSuckAss® thing. The boys over at Stickybuffalo, besides having a great name, run a great site – you should go there. Unless you just came from there. In which case, welcome to blogbynight! (Oh yeah- I used to be a little teapot – now I just gotta get me a banana)

Asshole – A 5-year-old girl suffered severe brain injuries, a lacerated liver, a collapsed lung and bruises over most of her body. Why? Because she interupted her mother’s boyfriend while he was watching a Jackie Chan movie. Apparently, the man claims the discipline was warranted. Some people shouldn’t be allowed to have or be in charge of children.

What else would you call it? “The $3.50 burger is a 7-ounce, hand patted piece of ground beef with sauteed onions and peppers, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese on Texas toast.” : Ghetto Burger! (via)

Only in Iowa… Apparently it’s not robbery as long as you dress funny and ask nice. A man who wore a paper bag on his head and socks on his hands walked into a convenience store and greeted the cashier by saying either “Happy Halloween” or “Trick or Treat,” and then in a soft voice, asked her to give him “the money.” He was convicted of second-degree robbery, but on appeal had the conviction overturned because, according to The Court of Appeals, the legal definition of robbery requires physical contact, a threatening gesture or at least “nonverbal physical movement.” (via)

Stealing work experience? – An armed gunman, robbing a convenience store, forced the clerk into a back room, then put on an apron and waited on customers for about half an hour. Maybe he needed to pad his resume? (via)