Morning Edition - 2/28/06

Driving Ms. Crazy
It seemed like a good idea and a kind gesture at the time, but Richard Miller regrets giving his 15-year old daughter a driving lesson in an empty lot in Philadelphia. The lesson ended with his daughter gunning the gas by mistake, jumping the curb and killing 18-year old Sarah McGinley who was playing with her 22-month old daughter on her fiancé’s front lawn. Just before the fatal accident, McGinley anticipated the impact and tossed her daughter out of harm’s way before being pinned and killed. Yesterday, Miller was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay $7,500 for McGinley’s funeral expenses. His 15-year old daughter was sentenced to 200 hours of community service in juvenile court. At his sentencing Miller expressed his condolences to the McGinley family and said, “Every hour I mourn for your daughter.”

Hip-Hop History
The Smithsonian, part of the National Museum of History in Washington, is taking a trip to a Manhattan hotel to gather historical elements from the hip-hop era that began over 30 years ago in the Bronx. Fab 5 Freddy, Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa and DJ Kool Herc will contribute microphones, boom-boxes and other memorabilia in what is said to be a $5 million endeavor to display the hip-hop artifacts in Washington, DC. Hip-hop was initially thought to be a passing fad that would boom and fizzle; instead it has grown to a multi-billion dollar industry that has bled into all facets of present society from marketing to suburban America.

Careless Whisper Turns Into Media Shout
George Michael, 42, formerly of hit group WHAM, was arrested recently and charged with having Class C drugs – weed and liquid ecstasy in his vehicle. The London police tested Michael and found he was sober. Michael says it was his own stupid fault and he realizes the media will have a field day with this story, not unlike the media circus that ensued when Michael was charged with lewd conduct in 1998 for propositioning a police officer in a public restroom. Michael penned a song – a satirical version of his t-room arrest, but says he will resist the temptation to make a song and video from this little legal fiasco.

On Blast
The recent Asian tsunami and hurricane Katrina showed the courage of parents in the face of extreme danger. Mothers were said to risk their lives to pluck their children from raging waters or found starving themselves to feed their children the last of any food available. In light of these circumstances, here’s the scenario…
You are caught in a life-threatening situation involving you and your three children. Though you have two of your children safely by your side, you need to choose whether to leave the two to save the life of the one in peril. Assume that your choice to save the one child may end in your death and that of the child you are attempting to save. Explain the reason for your choice.

Keep passin’ the open windows…