Random thoughts on a Friday morning

Read where 81 percent of the respondents to a New York Times/CBS News poll think the country is headed in the wrong direction, the highest number in the history of the poll. Right on the heels of that report came a bulletin that said America had lost 80,000 jobs in the last couple of months. Wonder what the percentage would be if that poll was taken now.

More bad news for Hillary. According to the Los Angeles Times her lead in superdelegates -- the folks she needs for support in order to secure the Democratic presidential nomination -- is dwindling. In December she had 106 more superdelegates supporting her than were supporting Obama. In February that number was down to 87 and, as of yesterday, it had been slashed to 30.

The autopsy report on Rufus Shaw, which found that he had no visible signs of cancer, raises more questions than it answers.

I was stunned to see that the price of gas at my neighborhood station had gone up another five cents since yesterday. I was also surprised to read where Apple Inc. has replaced Wal-Mart as America's No. 1 music store. By the same token, I was amazed to read in a story about wine that one out of every five glasses of wine drunk in America is a Gallo wine.

Today's nominee for the Darwin award is the jerk in Arlington who was critically injured when he tried to "roof surf" on his car as it was traveling down the highway.

Stories that make me weep include the one from Baytown, southeast of Houston, where a 14-year-old girl gave birth to a boy in the restroom of her middle school and then killed it by trying to flush it down the toilet. An autopsy revealed the baby was full-term, alive and probably cried once before the mother tried to flush it.

Stories that make me cringe include the one announcing that the New Kids on the Block has reunited, and plans a new album and tour. I guess I can always comfort myself with the knowledge that this guy is not only still around but will be coming to town for a concert a week from Sunday.