"No Local Children Were Involved"

If you've read the news in the past two days, you know that David Erick Gray has had new arrests. The Killen man now holds the record for the largest collection of child pornography in Alabama history. So, what are people saying?

Yes, we're seeing "Let God judge since no one was hurt physically." Really? We haven't seen any of Gray's collection, nor do we want to, but all these children were hurt psychologically if not physically.

Authorities have made the standard statement that no locals were in the photos. That's good, but is it really that much better that these used and abused children were from Lower Slobovia? We think not. For those who say a few photos don't hurt, think again.

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While on the subject of children, a reader sent us this:

The Lauderdale County Head Start program is set to be closed Oct. 11 due to this shutdown of government. School board will vote on this tomorrow. We will all be terminated at that time and roughly 300 families will lose these services. Very sad day for this community.

Indeed, it's extremely sad. We don't usually comment on national issues, but we hope each of us will contact our federal representatives and make it clear that we want this nonsense stopped.



Shoalanda

Not an "Orchestrated Attempt" at a News Story

Years ago, many newspapers used what were called "fillers" to even out page content. In an era before computerized type setting, fillers were invaluable--not to mention they enlightened readers on the population of various foreign countries. Today we still have fillers in the TimesDaily. They're usually fluff pieces that relate what various garden clubs have accomplished over the summer months. Sometimes there seems to be even less point.

Below is an article from today's TD:

It's mainly the ending that's confusing. Was the article an attempt at humor? Was it published before it was completed? One of our readers in Red Bay has stated that if anyone working at the TD could write, they wouldn't be working at the TD. It seems like a sound theory.

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If you missed this, here's another arrest for possession of child pornography:

David Erick Gray

Thanks to the Quad-Cities Daily for their in depth reporting.



Shoalanda