Newton’s Notes

That’s what firefighters are calling the fire in far south Fort Worth, burning at a pallet company.

The good news: No injuries. The blaze isn’t threatening any homes or business, even the main buildings within the pallet company aren’t in danger of catching fire… The fire is contained to a large pile of wooden pallets in a remote area.

The bad news: Firefighters have quite a chore keeping this fire contained. They had to string fire hose for several blocks, and had a hard time getting enough water pressure to really douse the flames.

More bad news: The fire hoses are crossing Crowley street, so there are some road closures. That could affect traffic.

Even more bad news: no marshmallows to roast.

Monday night was the season premiere of Heroes on NBC, and yes, I stayed up late just to watch the two hour special! Typically, as the morning reporter I go to bed around 7:30pm, but it was worth sacrificing sleep to watch Heroes. 

I am not a big TV watcher, but Heroes has me hooked! If you’ve never seen the show, it is about these people who discover they have special powers. (sounds cheesy, but it is a really great show).

Anyway, check it out and let me know what you think, or if you are a fan like me, comment me with what special power YOU would want to have!

This weekend I filled in on Saturday night, and did a story down in Lower Greenville about a debate brewing on the national circuit.

Should we lower the drinking age? This topic comes up periodically, usually in times of war, when 18-year-olds are sent to fight for our country. This weekend Mothers Against Drunk Driving held its national conference in Dallas, where they discussed (and strongly opposed) the idea of a lower drinking age.

Here are the two primary arguments I have found…

Against: younger drinkers are not as responsible, therefore the number of drunk driving accidents would increase.  

Support: if you can vote and fight a war, you should be able to drink.

I’m curious to know how viewers feel about this topic.

I believe before we could EVER lower the age, Americans would have to change their perception of alcohol.

During high school, I had European exchange students live with my family. One boy was from Germany, and started drinking around 16. He came to the U.S. and was blown away by the American teenager’s view of alcohol. He says in Germany, people do not binge drink, and most do not drink to get drunk. Not the case in America, where teenagers drink as a form of rebellion… and those who wait until they’re 21, end up drinking themselves silly.

Here’s an interesting article in USA Today about the 21-year-old binge: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-08-27-drinking-21_N.htm

Something else that would have to change before we could lower the drinking age: cities would HAVE to adopt better mass transit systems. In Germany they have fewer drunk driving accidents because fewer drunks are driving! A lot more people depend on public transportation there, and so they aren’t leaving a bar and getting behind the wheel.

Now, I know both of my scenarios are unlikely… Mass transit is very expensive for cities to operate, and changing a teenager’s perception on anything is a nearly impossible task! But just some food for thought.

Environmental Quality Inspectors have given the “all clear” to firefighters. They have tested the air and water runoff to make sure it is safe… It is.

Firefighters have been dumping 1000 gallons a minute on the fire that was still smoldering early this morning.

Investigators still have not determined the cause of the blaze, but surrounding businesses are back open this morning, and firefighters hope to have things wrapped up later this morning.

If you haven’t heard by now that Sarah Palin’s 17-year-old daughter, Bristol, is pregnant and unmarried, then you are probably in the minority.

I am not blogging to share my opinions on teen pregnancy, children born out of wedlock, or Palin’s mothering skills. 

I actually want to address another issue about this ”news story”. Is it actually news? Yeah, probably… will it affect the Presidential race? Perhaps… but should it, and is Bristol’s pregnancy anyone’s business?

After all, this 17-year-old girl is not a pubic figure. Bristol is not running for office. She did not ask to be put in the spotlight. Yet, she undeservedly has become the national poster child for teen pregnancy. Should her name, her personal decisions, or poor judgement be blanketed across the TV and newspapers?

Quite honestly, I feel sorry for her and for her 18-year-old boyfriend (who also did not ask for all the publicity). I think they are handling this situation with grace. Being a pregnant teenager would be hard enough, I could not imagine doing so in the national spotlight. 

I admire her for being strong, despite the judgement and ridicule she has and will inevitably face.