Myth of responsibility

More and more, Americans are turning to courts to attack socialand cultural wrongs - or to tilt at windmills.

Among the latest attacking cultural ills are the parents ofthree students killed by another student at a Paducah, Ky., highschool last year. The parents seek $130 million in damages fromseveral computer game companies, two Internet pornography sites andthe makers of the 1995 movie "The Basketball Diaries," starringLeonardo DiCaprio.

The purveyors of mindless violence in entertainment are thedespicable bottom feeders in our culture who make fortunes appealingto baser instincts. This is a price we pay - and must tolerate - ina free society. While Dennis Byrne expresses a different opinion onthis page, the horrid computer games, the violent porno Web sites anda mediocre movie did not kill these children. No one knows how manyyoung people played the same games, logged on to those Internetlocations or saw that movie. But we know that only one, MichaelCarneal, 14, opened fire on fellow students. The loss suffered bythese three families is unbearable, but this suit is not the answer.Under the category of tilting at windmills comes a suburban mansuing toothbrush makers and the American Dental Association becauseimproper brushing can lead to "toothbrush abrasion" of the gums. Hewants warning labels and, of course, money. This is just anotherfrivolous suit that wastes time in already overloaded courts. EveryAmerican should have access to the courts, but the sponsors ofutterly baseless lawsuits like this one should be made to pay all thecourt costs of their irresponsible actions.In another suit, dean Daniel Fischel of the University ofChicago Law School and his former partners won a $45 million verdictagainst some New York lawyers who tried to twist the justice systemto take revenge against the Chicagoans. Lawyers suing lawyers - thelogical denouement of our litigious society.

MOTORIST CAUTIONED TO BE ALERT FOR BEARS FORAGING NEAR PARK ROADWAYS

The National Park Service's Grand Teton National Park issued the following press release:

As August draws to a close, bears will be actively foraging ripened berries on the trees and bushes that line Grand Teton National Park's roadways. The Moose-Wilson Road is one of the most wildlife-rich areas in the park, and motorists are advised to be especially alert for bears and other animals that may be wandering along this park road during the fall season.

Recently, a white SUV traveling southbound from the Moose Visitor Center along the Moose-Wilson Road, lightly struck a black bear as it was running across the road. The bear rolled a couple of times after being hit by the vehicle, and ran off into nearby vegetation; its injuries are unknown. This incident serves as a reminder that bears and other animals can be found alongside, and often on, the Moose-Wilson Road, as well as many of the other park roads. Motorists need to use an extra measure of caution when driving at any time of the day or night.

The Moose-Wilson Road is both narrow and lined with berry-laden trees and bushes. Bears typically search out this abundant food source in late summer and early fall. In addition, several ponds and wetlands near this road attract moose, causing them to linger near roadsides, as well as on the roadbed itself. The combination of narrow roadway and easy wildlife viewing along the Moose-Wilson Road presents a safety concern, especially when motorists are not alert, or happen to stop in the middle of the road and obstruct the flow of traffic. Drivers are advised to use pull-outs and/or a widened road shoulder for watching wildlife, and to never park in the middle of the road, even for a short time. To increase the safety for other motorists using the roadway, and to provide for the safety of nearby wildlife, it is imperative that drivers pull ahead and park safely off the roadway at an appropriate turnout.

Motorists are advised to slow down, stay alert and be prepared to stop suddenly whenever wildlife are encountered on either the Moose-Wilson Road or other roads throughout the park. Collisions between motor vehicles and wildlife may result in severe damage to a vehicle, serious or fatal injuries to the occupants of that vehicle, and/or death for the animal involved.Contact: Joan Anzelmo and Jackie Skaggs, 307/739-3415, 307/739-3393.

Joan Anzelmo and Jackie Skaggs, 307/739-3415, 307/739-3393.

MOTORIST CAUTIONED TO BE ALERT FOR BEARS FORAGING NEAR PARK ROADWAYS

The National Park Service's Grand Teton National Park issued the following press release:

As August draws to a close, bears will be actively foraging ripened berries on the trees and bushes that line Grand Teton National Park's roadways. The Moose-Wilson Road is one of the most wildlife-rich areas in the park, and motorists are advised to be especially alert for bears and other animals that may be wandering along this park road during the fall season.

Recently, a white SUV traveling southbound from the Moose Visitor Center along the Moose-Wilson Road, lightly struck a black bear as it was running across the road. The bear rolled a couple of times after being hit by the vehicle, and ran off into nearby vegetation; its injuries are unknown. This incident serves as a reminder that bears and other animals can be found alongside, and often on, the Moose-Wilson Road, as well as many of the other park roads. Motorists need to use an extra measure of caution when driving at any time of the day or night.

The Moose-Wilson Road is both narrow and lined with berry-laden trees and bushes. Bears typically search out this abundant food source in late summer and early fall. In addition, several ponds and wetlands near this road attract moose, causing them to linger near roadsides, as well as on the roadbed itself. The combination of narrow roadway and easy wildlife viewing along the Moose-Wilson Road presents a safety concern, especially when motorists are not alert, or happen to stop in the middle of the road and obstruct the flow of traffic. Drivers are advised to use pull-outs and/or a widened road shoulder for watching wildlife, and to never park in the middle of the road, even for a short time. To increase the safety for other motorists using the roadway, and to provide for the safety of nearby wildlife, it is imperative that drivers pull ahead and park safely off the roadway at an appropriate turnout.

Motorists are advised to slow down, stay alert and be prepared to stop suddenly whenever wildlife are encountered on either the Moose-Wilson Road or other roads throughout the park. Collisions between motor vehicles and wildlife may result in severe damage to a vehicle, serious or fatal injuries to the occupants of that vehicle, and/or death for the animal involved.Contact: Joan Anzelmo and Jackie Skaggs, 307/739-3415, 307/739-3393.

Joan Anzelmo and Jackie Skaggs, 307/739-3415, 307/739-3393.

MOTORIST CAUTIONED TO BE ALERT FOR BEARS FORAGING NEAR PARK ROADWAYS

The National Park Service's Grand Teton National Park issued the following press release:

As August draws to a close, bears will be actively foraging ripened berries on the trees and bushes that line Grand Teton National Park's roadways. The Moose-Wilson Road is one of the most wildlife-rich areas in the park, and motorists are advised to be especially alert for bears and other animals that may be wandering along this park road during the fall season.

Recently, a white SUV traveling southbound from the Moose Visitor Center along the Moose-Wilson Road, lightly struck a black bear as it was running across the road. The bear rolled a couple of times after being hit by the vehicle, and ran off into nearby vegetation; its injuries are unknown. This incident serves as a reminder that bears and other animals can be found alongside, and often on, the Moose-Wilson Road, as well as many of the other park roads. Motorists need to use an extra measure of caution when driving at any time of the day or night.

The Moose-Wilson Road is both narrow and lined with berry-laden trees and bushes. Bears typically search out this abundant food source in late summer and early fall. In addition, several ponds and wetlands near this road attract moose, causing them to linger near roadsides, as well as on the roadbed itself. The combination of narrow roadway and easy wildlife viewing along the Moose-Wilson Road presents a safety concern, especially when motorists are not alert, or happen to stop in the middle of the road and obstruct the flow of traffic. Drivers are advised to use pull-outs and/or a widened road shoulder for watching wildlife, and to never park in the middle of the road, even for a short time. To increase the safety for other motorists using the roadway, and to provide for the safety of nearby wildlife, it is imperative that drivers pull ahead and park safely off the roadway at an appropriate turnout.

Motorists are advised to slow down, stay alert and be prepared to stop suddenly whenever wildlife are encountered on either the Moose-Wilson Road or other roads throughout the park. Collisions between motor vehicles and wildlife may result in severe damage to a vehicle, serious or fatal injuries to the occupants of that vehicle, and/or death for the animal involved.Contact: Joan Anzelmo and Jackie Skaggs, 307/739-3415, 307/739-3393.

Joan Anzelmo and Jackie Skaggs, 307/739-3415, 307/739-3393.

Mexico sends Cubans home under new accord

Mexico is sending illegal Cuban migrants home for the first time under a new accord aimed at cutting off an increasingly violent human-trafficking route to the United States, an official said Thursday.

Before Mexico signed the agreement with Cuba in October, authorities rarely sent migrants back to the communist island.

The Cubans were being deported from the resort city of Cancun, said Luis Alberto Molina, an immigration official in Quintana Roo state, where Cancun is located.

Molina said he could not give further details.

An Associated Press photographer in Cancun saw about 60 immigrants being loaded on two buses early Thursday, and …

Sharks Beat Devils at Home, 2-0

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Joe Thornton jumped on the ice during a brief moment of miscommunication on San Jose's bench. Then he jumped on a turnover and turned it into a crucial goal. Thornton picked off an errant pass and scored midway through the third period, lifting the Sharks to a 2-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night.

"I'm not sure what happened," Thornton said. "I wasn't supposed to be on the ice but there was something going on and I just got out there. Then there was the turnover and I just stepped up and shot."

Evgeni Nabokov stopped all 24 shots he faced for his third shutout, the 30th of his career, and the Sharks won their season-best fifth …

Exchanges can benefit suppliers.

As DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Co. and General Motors educate suppliers about their forthcoming online marketplace, a clearer picture of the exchange's role is emerging. The still unnamed Web-based exchange is being compared to a three-legged stool, an amusing metaphor given its complexity. Nevertheless, a stool nicely symbolizes the exchange's three primary functions - procurement, product development and supply-chain management. While procurement gets most of the attention, the prospect of using the exchange to speed product development intrigues and excites suppliers. Product development may best answer for the supplier, ``What's in this for me?'' ``The Tier 1 and 2 …

One-two, then who? After Oden-Durant quinella, draft picks no sure thing.(Sports)

Byline: BRIAN MAHONEY - Associated Press

NEW YORK - With a basketball in his hands and a baby blue suit covering his 7-foot frame, Greg Oden exited a midtown hotel ballroom Wednesday just before Kevin Durant arrived.

Oden hopes that isn't the last time he goes ahead of Durant.

The freshmen superstars are considered the can't-miss kids tonight in a deep draft that includes the next potential Chinese All-Star, the core of Florida's back-to-back national championship teams, and other players who could've been vying for the top spot in other years. Not this time. They'll have to settle for being No. 3 after Oden and Durant - or Durant and Oden.

…

STUDY SAYS HOMES MORE AFFORDABLE U.S. PLANS SUIT AGAINST AIRLINES STATE FARM SAYS STORM LOSS $3.4B.(Business)

Houses in the Capital Region in October were more affordable than at any time since the Albany County Board of Realtors began tracking the figure in March 1989, the trade group reported Friday.

A drop in prices and interest rates and a slight increase in incomes was responsible for the improved market, the board reported. According to Realtors' standards, a family in Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Schenectady counties with low debt and earning the median income of $41,384 had 129 percent of the income needed to qualify for a mortgage covering 80 percent of the average purchase price of a house.

The median price of houses sold in the region was $112,595, down …